Vicky Licorish Character Analysis in Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

A friend of Jeanette’s at Oxford whom Jeanette brings home to Accrington for the Christmas holidays. The two volunteer together at a local mental hospital while they are in Accrington. The trip will ultimately be the last time Jeanette ever sees her mother in person. Mrs. Winterson cooks an overwhelming number of pineapple dishes over the course of Vicky’s visit, since Vicky is black and Mrs. Winterson believes that pineapples are what “Africans” eat. When Vicky admits that she does not like pineapples, Mrs. Winterson descends into a depressed rage. Vicky is caught off-guard by the bizarre and hostile atmosphere in the Winterson household, and, eventually, Jeanette and Vicky leave.

Vicky Licorish Character Timeline in Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

The timeline below shows where the character Vicky Licorish appears in Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Jeanette arrives home with her platonic friend Vicky Licorish—Vicky is black, and Jeanette has “warned” Mrs. Winterson of this. Mrs. Winterson has asked... (full context)

Mothers, Daughters, and Forgiveness Theme Icon

...makes a plethora of pineapple-themed meals for the girls’ first couple days in town—but eventually Vicky confesses that she doesn’t like pineapple. Mrs. Winterson then experiences a drastic change in mood,... (full context)

...nearly a week, but as Christmas approaches, Mrs. Winterson’s mood seems to improve. One night, Vicky finds that her pillowcase has no pillow in it, and is instead stuffed with “religious... (full context)

...in the kitchen and muttering darkly to herself about the nature of sin, Jeanette tells Vicky that it is time to leave and return to Oxford. The next morning, Jeanette announces... (full context)