Jill Character Analysis in All American Boys

Jill is Paul and Guzzo’s cousin. She attends Springfield Central High, and is known for throwing great parties. Quinn has a crush on her. Jill is independent and strong-minded; despite growing up in the close-knit Galluzzo family, she refuses to support Paul after Rashad’s arrest and becomes one of the key organizers of the protest. She and Quinn develop a close friendship over the course of the novel, and she inspires him to let go of his fears about participating in activism.

Jill Quotes in All American Boys

The All American Boys quotes below are all either spoken by Jill or refer to Jill. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Racism, Stereotyping, and Police Brutality Theme Icon

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Atheneum edition of All American Boys published in 2015.

“I mean, it's Paul. This is the same guy I’ve seen carrying my mom up the front steps, for God's sake.” I was thinking about that time Ma got trashed because it was her first wedding anniversary without Dad. Paul had been so

gentle. He'd taken the frigging day off just so she didn’t have to spend it alone. “She was tanked,” I said to Jill. “And he helped her home. I remember him putting her down on the couch and pulling the afghan over her.”

“Paulie's always been the good guy.”

“That's what I want to think.”

Related Characters: (speaker), (speaker), , ,

Page Number and Citation: 129

Explanation and Analysis:

Jill Character Timeline in All American Boys

The timeline below shows where the character Jill appears in All American Boys. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

American Culture, Values, and Patriotism Theme Icon

...and Guzzo announces that he plans to shotgun ten beers. Quinn has a crush on Jill, who is Guzzo’s cousin, and who is known for throwing “mad parties.” Guzzo has an... (full context)

...and Quinn always tries to avoid sitting near it. As Quinn is about to order, Jill approaches and asks him to grab an extra slice for her. Quinn shyly agrees; as... (full context)

Maturity, Discipline, and Responsibility Theme Icon

...men being arrested now are white. Quinn suggests they get out of there and walk Jill home. On the way, Jill mentions the barbecue at Guzzo’s house the next day. She... (full context)

...are standing side by side, and Quinn is struck by how enormous they both are. Jill approaches Quinn and strikes up a conversation about the upcoming basketball season. She asks if... (full context)

Jill confesses that when the cops came to shut down her party, one of them told... (full context)

Jill says she heard that Rashad resisted arrest, and asks if Paul saw Quinn at the... (full context)

...anyone else; however, he isn’t as distracted by it as he hopes. He then overhears Jill’s mom yelling at her about the party. When Jill makes a subtle allusion to the... (full context)

At lunch, Jill asks to sit with Quinn. Jill asks if Quinn has seen Guzzo; although he doesn’t... (full context)

...called Marc Blair. However, that time Paul had done it on Quinn’s behalf. Quinn and Jill reflect that they have always thought of Paul as a “good guy,” and it’s therefore... (full context)

Jill asks Quinn where he’s going to sit, and tells him she wants to sit outside.... (full context)

After watching, Quinn texts Jill to say he’s seen the video and then calls her, confessing his feelings of confusion... (full context)

Outside school, students––including Jill and Tiffany—are handing out flyers advertising the protest on Friday. Someone asks if Rashad will... (full context)

Quinn sees Jill, who explains that the police are preparing for “major riots.” Quinn expresses his fears, but... (full context)

...and living life to the fullest. It also means standing up for “freedom and justice.” Jill tells Quinn she thinks she can see Rashad at the front of the march. Quinn... (full context)