A Little Life

by

Hanya Yanagihara

Judge Sullivan Character Analysis

Judge Sullivan is the judge Jude clerks for in Washington, D.C., after law school. Harold urges Jude to apply for the position and even serves as a reference. During Jude’s interview with Judge Sullivan, the judge asks Jude to sing a song for him (he’s somehow heard that Jude is a talented singer) that says something about Jude’s character. Jude thinks he’s failed the interview, but Judge Sullivan ends up hiring him.
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Judge Sullivan Character Timeline in A Little Life

The timeline below shows where the character Judge Sullivan appears in A Little Life. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 2: The Postman: Chapter 1
Trauma Theme Icon
Identity Theme Icon
Success and Happiness Theme Icon
Friendship and Human Connection  Theme Icon
Pain and Suffering  Theme Icon
Jude starts clerking for Judge Sullivan during his third year in law school. Judge Sullivan would always say that there are... (full context)
Trauma Theme Icon
Identity Theme Icon
Pain and Suffering  Theme Icon
Jude interviews with Judge Sullivan in Washington the following year. Sullivan mentions that he’s heard that Jude can sing and... (full context)
Trauma Theme Icon
Friendship and Human Connection  Theme Icon
Pain and Suffering  Theme Icon
Jude returns to Cambridge. He thinks he totally botched the interview, but a week later, Sullivan calls and tells Jude he’s won the position. When Jude arrives at Harold’s office for... (full context)