Link Character Analysis in Warriors Don’t Cry

A white student at Central High who befriends Melba. He informs her about ways in which the segregationists, some of whom are his friends, intend to commit violence against her. During their first meeting, he arranges for her to take the keys to his Chevy and drive away from a potential confrontation. Mother Lois and Grandma India are initially wary of trusting Link, but Melba comes to rely on him to keep her safe and alert within Central High. Later, he suggests that Melba move away from Little Rock with him, but Melba decides to continue on at Central.

Link Character Timeline in Warriors Don’t Cry

The timeline below shows where the character Link appears in Warriors Don’t Cry. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...car for her to take, then to drive away. He says that his name is Link and that he will call her later. Melba does what he says. Though Andy claws... (full context)

...Mother Lois comes home and is just as upset to hear that Melba has trusted Link who could be setting a trap for Melba. He calls, as he promised. He tells... (full context)

Passive vs. Violent Resistance Theme Icon

...a group of white boys moves in close to her. She gets nervous. She sees Link among her regular attackers, behaving like a member of their group. Melba wonders about his... (full context)

...it is Vince so that she can tell him about her victory, but it is Link. Melba is furious with Link because she saw him laughing with the segregationists and talking... (full context)

Grandma India and Mother Lois still wonder about Link’s motives. Melba’s grandmother suggests that he could be trying to lure her into a trap... (full context)

Soon, Melba and Link become secret friends. He still feels loyal to his family and friends who are segregationists... (full context)

Link calls one day, furious because many senior class activities have been cancelled. The activities are... (full context)

Link next warns her to watch out for students who try to hand her election pamphlets... (full context)

Link and Melba’s conversations become more relaxed and he starts to tell her about his family.... (full context)

On Saturday morning, Melba gets a call from Link. He says that he needs her help. He tells her to meet him “just inside... (full context)

Melba and Link enter Nana Healey’s “tiny, bare shack” which is “spotlessly clean.” Nana Healey is angry when... (full context)

...but promises to visit Nana Healey during her weekly trips to North Little Rock. Soon, Link and Grandma India become friends and discuss Nana Healey’s care. (full context)

The last days of school are stressful. Link warns about the segregationists doing something to someone’s family, but Melba worries about a boy... (full context)

...who are fighting integration in the district. Walking away from his office, Mother Lois remembers Link’s warning about something bad happening to the whole family. (full context)

Link calls and says that Nana Healey died on the day of his graduation. He then... (full context)

...about women’s roles and Melba’s ambitions to be a journalist. She continues to hear from Link until she announces that she is marrying someone white, which sparks his jealousy, given his... (full context)