The Nickel Boys Lesson Plan

How do Elwood and Harriet differ in their views on the Civil Rights Movement and the pull to take action?

From the moment he is first introduced, Elwood is presented to the reader as a character devoted to the Civil Rights Movement and justice—a passion that, while bringing him great purpose, also forces him to confront harsh racial segregation, retaliation, and punishment. His grandmother, Harriet, embodies a conservative attitude towards the movement. She is wary of losing her job and constantly warns Elwood against friendships with the local boys, whom she sees as a bad influence. Harriet fixates on maintaining her relatively safe, albeit segregated, position...