Manny Character Analysis in Dear Justyce

Manny is Quan’s cousin; he’s deceased in the novel’s present after being shot by an off-duty police officer during the events of Dear Martin. He’s a year older than Quan and lives in a wealthy part of Atlanta. Quan only meets Manny once, when Manny is about 13. He seems comfortable in his wealth and in the fancy restaurant where they have lunch. However, Quan learns that there’s more to Manny as he reads Justyce’s Martin Luther King, Jr. journal (the basis for the story in Dear Martin). Manny seems far more relatable when Quan discovers that Manny was frustrated with how his white peers treated him and even resorted to violence at times.

Manny Character Timeline in Dear Justyce

The timeline below shows where the character Manny appears in Dear Justyce. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Justice, Racial Bias, and Growing Up Theme Icon

Identity, Support, and Community Theme Icon

...left. He thanks Justyce for visiting and says the notebook was interesting—especially the info about Manny, whom Quan didn’t know well. Most surprising about the notebook was realizing that he and... (full context)

...though, Doc noticed Justyce’s Martin notebook and revealed that he used to teach Justyce and Manny. At first, Quan was upset—he’d asked Justyce to keep it a secret that his tutor... (full context)

Survival, Poverty, and Violence Theme Icon

Quan has no idea what to say to his cousin Manny. They live in different universes. Manny’s mama, Aunt Tiff, is Mama’s older half-sister. They didn’t... (full context)

Quan wonders if Manny would leave if he knew that they barely have food at home, or the reason... (full context)

...Dr. King, and it made Quan think of one of Justyce’s letters written right after Manny died. Justyce had lamented that Manny died even though he hadn’t done anything wrong, and... (full context)

...on the trip. Justyce thinks about his new friendship with Jared. Since they met at Manny’s grave last year, they’ve been close friends, and Jared is improving. He often asks for... (full context)