Paul Hutchins/Grandfather Character Analysis

Grandfather is Margaret’s maternal grandfather and Mom’s father, whom Margaret has never met before he visits at the end of the novel. Before Margaret was born, when Mom told her parents that she wanted to marry Dad, who’s Jewish, Grandfather and Grandmother cut all contact with her—as Christians, they refused to accept their Jewish son-in-law. They haven’t spoken in 14 years by the time the novel begins. This changes when Mom sends her parents a Christmas card, and they then decide to come visit over Margaret’s spring vacation. They’re still upset about Mom’s choice to marry Dad, and they try to insist that Margaret is a Christian—despite her being vocal about not identifying with any one religion.