Bud, Not Buddy

by

Christopher Paul Curtis

Dirty Deed Character Analysis

The trombone player in Herman’s band. He is also the only white member of the band, and the Log Cabin, Herman’s club, is in his name because it is illegal for Herman as a black man to own property in this particular area. Dirty Deed gives Bud a taste of the hardships that his grandfather faces as a black man.
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Dirty Deed Character Timeline in Bud, Not Buddy

The timeline below shows where the character Dirty Deed appears in Bud, Not Buddy. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 13
Family and Home  Theme Icon
Jimmy introduces Bud to the rest of the bandmates: the Thug, Dirty Deed (the only white band member), Doo-Doo Bug, and Steady Eddie. He tells them to make... (full context)
Chapter 17
Family and Home  Theme Icon
...and Bud notices that The Thug’s music sounds like soft rain on someone’s roof and Dirty Deed ’s music like the Niagara Falls. When Steady Eddie plays, Bud thinks it’s the most... (full context)
Chapter 18
Economic Insecurity and Community Theme Icon
Race and Racism Theme Icon
In the car, The Thug teases Dirty Deed for being white, and Dirty Deed responds that he doesn’t mind being the only white... (full context)
Race and Racism Theme Icon
...Bud that Herman always has a white person in the band for “practical reasons.” Later Dirty Deed explains that it’s unlawful for “a Negro to own any property out where the Log... (full context)