The Leavers

by

Lisa Ko

Didi Character Analysis

A Chinese immigrant with whom Polly lives when she first moves to the United States. Like some of Polly’s other roommates, Didi is enamored of Deming when he’s a baby, making so much time for him that Polly worries why she herself doesn’t have the energy to devote herself to Deming with the same kind of selflessness as Didi. Later, Didi gets Polly a job at the nail salon where she works. Fortunately for her, though, she’s not there when the immigration authorities raid the shop.
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Didi Character Timeline in The Leavers

The timeline below shows where the character Didi appears in The Leavers. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 3
Migration, Change, and Happiness Theme Icon
Parenthood, Support, and Expectations Theme Icon
Ko describes Polly’s initial disappearance, explaining that Vivian receives a call from her co-worker Didi, who’s “screaming about the nail salon,” saying that “the boss [is] involved in something shady.”... (full context)
Chapter 7
Migration, Change, and Happiness Theme Icon
Parenthood, Support, and Expectations Theme Icon
...with possibility,” she notes. She makes friends with one of her roommates, a woman named Didi who’s originally from a village close to her own. As time passes, Polly nears her... (full context)
Migration, Change, and Happiness Theme Icon
Parenthood, Support, and Expectations Theme Icon
...troubles, she enters a period of bliss, marveling at how much she loves Deming. Meanwhile, Didi says she’ll get her a job at a nail salon whenever she’s ready. She also... (full context)
Chapter 10
Parenthood, Support, and Expectations Theme Icon
Before Deming comes back to the United States, Polly goes to a party at Didi’s boyfriend’s house. While she’s there, she meets Leon for the first time and is attracted... (full context)
Cultural Identity and Belonging Theme Icon
Migration, Change, and Happiness Theme Icon
Parenthood, Support, and Expectations Theme Icon
Didi gets Polly a job at Hello Gorgeous, the nail salon where she works. Meanwhile, Polly... (full context)
Migration, Change, and Happiness Theme Icon
Self-Deception and Rationalization Theme Icon
...thinks. Not long after this, Polly and Leon take a trip to Atlantic City because Didi has a number of vouchers for free hotel stays, since her husband has a gambling... (full context)
Migration, Change, and Happiness Theme Icon
...entire idea, promising to make back the money he lost. The next day, Polly tells Didi about her plan, and even she thinks it’s not a good idea. “I just think... (full context)
Chapter 12
Migration, Change, and Happiness Theme Icon
Parenthood, Support, and Expectations Theme Icon
...have left if she didn’t have to. She also tells him that Leon talked to Didi after Polly disappeared. “Turned out someone ratted their boss out to ICE,” she says. “Immigration.... (full context)