28 pages • 56 minutes read
William Melvin KelleyA Visit to Grandmother
Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1964A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Character Analysis
Dr. Charles Dunford
Dr. Charles Dunford’s physical appearance is not discussed in the story, although it can be inferred he is African American and in his early forties. His son, Chig, characterizes him as a considerate person, referring to him as “the warmest of man” (53). As a doctor, Charles possesses a natural ability to put patients at ease “and even laugh” (53) while in his presence. Despite his usual kind-hearted demeanor, Charles’s childhood remains a sensitive topic for him, and when asked about it, he often refrains from sharing details. He explains his move to Knoxville by simply saying he “wanted to go to school” (54).
Charles’s behavior shifts when he is in his mother’s presence. This is influenced by his past experiences with his family, causing him to become secretive, distant, and emotionally detached from his relatives. His move to Knoxville at a young age reflects his desire to escape the negative family dynamics and his lack of communication with his mother over the years, as well as her surprise at his arrival, highlights the extent of their estrangement.
Charles’s visit home reveals that his past still affects him deeply. His confrontation with his mother stirs up emotions and memories that he has long buried. As he tries to navigate feeling neglected by his mother, he grapples with the complexities of Black identity and what he deems as the favoritism of his lighter-skinned brother. Charles regards GL with a mix of admiration and envy, as GL instigates his feelings of abandonment while at the same time being the only family member Charles mentions to his son.
A similar paradigm appears in Charles’s feelings toward his mother. He feels torn between his desire for validation from her and his resentment, as he simultaneously states these are issues of the past—“It can’t hurt me now” (62)—and craves consoling words from her: “Admit it, Mama … please!” (63). Amid the confrontation, Charles displays a rare vulnerability, referring to his mother as “Mama” and shedding tears for the first time since he left. Charles’s son observes how he is moved by the dispute, noticing “his fists clenched tight” and that he “had gone pale” (63). By returning home, Charles seems to relive the hurt of being neglected and estranged “as if […] he had become a small boy again” (57).
Charles “Chig” Dunford Junior
Chig, the oldest of Dr. Charles Dunford’s three children, is the narrator of the story and offers a unique perspective on the strained relationship between his father and grandmother. Despite being only 17, Chig’s perceptiveness and keen observation skills immediately pick up on his father’s change in behavior as they arrive at his grandmother’s house. He is also suspicious of his father’s motives for the trip, suspecting that it may have more to do with visiting his grandmother than attending his college reunion.
Throughout the story, Chig’s respect and admiration for his father are evident, and he appears eager to spend time with him, contrary to how his father feels about his family. As the plot unfolds, what seems to set him and his father apart is his openness and curiosity. While he “[does] most of the talking, [tells] all about himself” (56) and is interested in connecting with his relatives and learning more about his family’s history, his father is weighed down by old resentments.
Since Chig is not directly involved in the conflict depicted, presenting the story from his point of view encourages an unbiased understanding of the complex emotions both his father and grandmother are experiencing. Chig acts as a neutral observer throughout the story, allowing the family’s dynamics to be viewed through the eyes of an outsider. Through his father’s interactions with his grandmother, Chig learns about the rancor that his father has carried for years. As he begins to understand the complicated family dynamics that have contributed to their estrangement, he can astutely interpret his father’s true desires when his grandmother does not: “Chig knew she did not really understand what had happened, what he wanted of her” (63).
Eva Dunford
Eva Dunford is Dr. Charles Dunford’s mother and Chig’s grandmother. Throughout the story, she is depicted as a woman who deeply loves her children but is also flawed in her parenting. Eva’s portrayal revolves mainly around her maternal role and how her parenting style ultimately led to an estranged relationship between her and her son Charles. Still, in her old age, her devotion to her children is apparent, as seen in her interactions with them. She urges her sons Hiram and GL to join them after Charles and Chig arrive: “You call up those boys, and get them over here—now!” (56). This demonstrates Eva’s desire for her family to finally be reunited and that she has maintained relationships with her other children over the years. Cooking for her loved ones is another simple yet powerful expression of Eva’s motherly love.
Yet, when confronted about Charles and GL’s different upbringings, Eva struggles to console Charles. Eva is defensive and tries to justify her actions as a mother, acknowledging she devoted more attention to GL but excusing her choice by stating Charles “was smarter” and more mature than his brother. Eva was put in the position of making tough decisions, often at the expense of her children’s emotional well-being. Despite her best intentions, unintended consequences had a lasting impact on her son Charles. Eva battles with recognizing her actions as mistakes, while at the same time noticing how Charles was left feeling unloved and rejected. “Tears now traveled down the lines of her face” (62), but her defensiveness and justification of her actions ultimately hinder her ability to reconcile with her son.
GL Dunford
GL Dunford, one of Eva Dunford’s sons and Dr. Charles Dunford’s older brother, is depicted as a charismatic and impulsive individual, embodying traits of a “con man,” a “practical joker,” and a “Don Juan” (54). His eagerness and willingness to take risks, coupled with his confidence and persuasiveness, enable him to navigate difficult situations with ease. In contrast to his reserved and introspective brother, GL’s adventurous nature means he always seeks adventures, even if they are not necessarily well thought out.
His past exploits are the subject of most of the family’s conversation during dinner, with his recklessness serving as entertainment for his relatives. Eventually, one of the stories involving GL triggers the main conflict between his brother and their mother. GL’s brother credits his mother’s preferential treatment to GL’s lighter complexion, alluding to the damaging effects of colorism within Black families. Colorism involves prejudice or discrimination based on skin tone, with darker skin tones being regarded as less desirable or inferior to lighter skin tones. As a Black man with a light complexion, GL can pass as white, which gives him certain advantages in society. It also leaves him relatively fearless; he does not fear retribution for using the white family’s buggy as his mother does. He is a catalyst for the main themes explored in the story, as the Dunford family’s dynamics intertwine with the question of race.
Lastly, GL’s arrival after Charles and Eva’s argument suggests he is not aware of Charles’s feelings. He is “smiling broadly, an engaging, open, friendly smile, the innocent smile of a five-year-old” (63), oblivious to what had transpired only a few minutes before.
Rose, Hiram, Mae, George, Essie, Peter, and Connie Dunford
Rose Dunford, GL’s wife, is depicted as a caring figure, taking on domestic duties for Eva and welcoming Chig and Charles into the family home. Her interactions with Eva suggest that she often spends time with her mother-in-law, even using the term “Mama,” suggesting a close and affectionate relationship.
Hiram Dunford, on the other hand, is portrayed as a quiet and unassuming character, present in the background of the main conflict between Charles and Eva. Charles’s brother is “somewhat smaller” than him and has “half grey, half black” and “short-cropped kinky hair” (57).
Hiram’s wife, Mae Dunford, shares a sense of closeness with Chig, who is enamored by her beauty and “honey-colored” skin. Chig describes feeling uncomfortable calling her his “Aunt” due to her youthfulness.
George, Eva’s late husband, is mentioned briefly in passing. Having agreed to repair a white family’s buggy, he had to return it on the day GL and Eva took it for a ride along with the horse GL acquired.
Essie Dunford, Eva’s oldest daughter, is also present during the ride that GL and Eva take in the buggy. She plays a minor role in the story, helping her brother encourage Eva to take the ride.
Peter and Connie Dunford, Charles’s children and Chig’s younger siblings, are not physically present in the story as they are packing for summer camp. However, their absence highlights the strained relationship between Charles and his mother, who is not involved in her grandchildren’s lives.
Overall, these secondary characters add depth and complexity to the story, providing insights into the family’s relationships and dynamics.
