Comparing Of The Main Heroes Of Driving Miss Daisy Essay

Comparing Of The Main Heroes Of Driving Miss Daisy - Essay Example Colburn comes to the light as Daisy’s chauffeur following a driving mishap that renders her an inadmissible client to insurance companies as noted by Hoke: â€Å"The truth is, you just cost the insurance company $2,700. You're a terrible risk. Nobody's gonna issue you a policy after this† (Backrags par 6; Uhry 3). Although hesitant to get herself driven by a chauffeur, Daisy gradually accepts Boogie in his capacity as a chauffeur. The story of Daisy, her small family, and her chauffeur is punctuated with a lot of similarities and contrast in so far as the characters and their traits are concerned. The two main characters in the plot Daisy and Colburn, particularly display a lot of contrast and similarities. The paper will focus on the two characters considering the central role that they play in the development of the plot. Character Backgrounds Mrs. Daisy Werthan is presented as a retired schoolteacher â€Å"I taught some of the stupidest children God ever put on the face of this earth, and all of them could read well enough to find a name on a tombstone† (BookRags par 13). Having been a school teacher, Daisy is presented as a knowledgeable woman -someone who ought to be respectable in society. Hoke Colburn, on the other hand, comes to the scene as an African American who is illiterate deserving of a lowly life after his career as a driver for a local judge ends. After meeting Daisy, Hoke gets to learn from the old Widow how to read at the age of 60. While Daisy is an old Jewish widow as can be seen from Hoke’s statement â€Å"Yassum. Mist’ Sig’s grave mighty well tended. I believe you the best window in the state of Georgia† (Fulton Theatre 4), Hoke is of African antecedent and no so less of an old man. The story presents, therefore, two characters from different worlds in terms of cultural backgrounds although having a common point in that they are both old. Being non-whites at a time when racial segregation i s rife in the setting, the two characters witness a lot of discrimination as they go about their activities. This is practically seen at the point in the plot where highway patrolmen comment loudly referring to them as Old Jew Woman (for Daisy) and old Nigger (for Hoke) â€Å"[watching Daisy and Hoke leave after checking them out] An old nigger and an old Jew woman takin' off down the road together... that is one sorry sight!† (BookRags par 3). Perceptions In a society dominated by whites, Daisy and Hoke are presented as outsiders in the society. Hoke cannot understand why her employer is so backward as not to understand the changes that are sweeping the social setting at the time. Mrs. Daisy, on the other hand, fails to appreciate the reason why Hoke’s people are so resentful. Only when they are separated by circumstances do the two characters truly appreciate that they are pals and longtime kindred spirits. In particular, this is seen when Daisy finds herself confine d to a home for the old while Hoke retires from his work. Hoke is a person who is patient, caring, dignified and tolerant as can be seen from the way he treats his employer, Daisy. He does not fear to air out his views respectfully and in a calm way whenever he has a point to state. Furthermore, He stands for his rights whenever he feels that his rights are at stake. On the other hand, Daisy is clearly prejudicial, although this comes to change with time as she continues to interact with Hoke.