Small Great Things

Ruth Jefferson’s voice is the first we hear. She is a person who has always tried to fit in and play by the rules to get ahead, trying to correct the imbalance imposed on her by an unequal and biased society. She has always had to be incredibly careful with her words and actions, trying to put others ahead of herself in order not to offend. As we see through the actions of her coworkers and the trajectory of her trial, however, she is not able to escape the stereotypes she has tried so hard to avoid. Many still see her as dangerous and as angry.

Ruth’s sister, Rachel changes her name to Adisa, an African name, and represents a facet of black life that is different from Ruth’s. Rather than trying to fit in and play by white-majority rules, Adisa sees the game as rigged and decides not to try to play at all. She prides herself on being who she is and openly criticizes societal rules that prioritize white comfort over equality or equity. She’s good at getting things done and helps Ruth get on assistance after society has failed her. Because of these differences, she and Ruth butt heads often, though they maintain their