Katy Character Analysis in Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit

A girl from church with whom Jeanette has a love affair one year after her relationship with Melanie ends. Katy and Jeanette have a sexual relationship for several years before they are found out, at which point Jeanette decides to take all the blame so that Katy is not subjected, like Jeanette was, to a torturous exorcism. Jeanette describes Katy, who is nearly as spiritual and devoted as she herself is, as her “most uncomplicated love affair,” and Katy’s relationship to Jeanette ties in with the novel’s themes of women and womanhood, as well as religion and control.

Katy Character Timeline in Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit

The timeline below shows where the character Katy appears in Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...the promenade by herself. Down on the boardwalk, she finds a girl from church named Katy, who is sitting in a deck chair eating ice cream and “look[ing] like fun.” Jeanette... (full context)

Storytelling, Fantasy, and Invention Theme Icon

...with great seriousness and devotion. Meanwhile, Jeanette is teaching a Bible study class of which Katy is a “lively” member. Jeanette is nervous around Katy, but notes that she hasn’t seen... (full context)

Transgression and Forgiveness Theme Icon

On the day of the Nativity play, Jeanette sits next to Katy in the audience, holding the cue cards for the actors. In the middle of the... (full context)

...it is time for her stop. That night at Bible study Jeanette is visibly upset; Katy notices and wants to help, and invites Jeanette to come stay the weekend at her... (full context)

At Katy’s parents’ residence, the two girls spend the night in the caravan parked outside. Katy is... (full context)

In church, Jeanette took care to never look at Katy while she herself was preaching, though Katy always sat in the front row and listened... (full context)

...Jeanette remains close-mouthed, not wanting to tell her anything about her new love affair with Katy. That afternoon, as Melanie’s fiancé prepares to drive her away to his parents’ house, he... (full context)

Katy and Jeanette recently spent a week together at their church’s guest house in the village... (full context)

...and says that after months and months of heart-rending correspondence with Melanie, Jeanette had begged Katy to help her arrange a meeting with Melanie in Morecambe. Jeanette’s mother’s friend believes her,... (full context)