Gorilla, My Love

by

Toni Cade Bambara

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Gorilla, My Love makes teaching easy.

Big Brood Character Analysis

Hazel’s older brother. He accompanies her and Baby Jason to the theater to see Gorilla, My Love, although he is apprehensive about the “my love” part of the title. He likes talking about all the “fiercesome” things the siblings are going to do—which really means all the things Hazel is going to do, as she loves causing trouble and fighting bullies. Hazel is very protective of Big Brood and stands up to the boys who steal his ball at the park. When she is forced to watch King of Kings, Hazel imagines how her family would react if it were Big Brood up on the cross rather than Jesus, which leads her to believe that her family members have more sense than Christ. Big Brood clearly loves Hazel, but has a bit of a cowardly streak—he conveniently has to go to the bathroom when she confronts the manager. Later, it is his “big mouth” that reveals to Mama and Daddy that Hazel set fire to the concessions stand at the movie theater.

Big Brood Quotes in Gorilla, My Love

The Gorilla, My Love quotes below are all either spoken by Big Brood or refer to Big Brood. 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:
Trust, Solidarity, and Betrayal Theme Icon
).
Gorilla, My Love Quotes

Like when the big boys come up on us talkin bout Lemme a nickel. It’s me that hide the money. Or when the bad boys in the park take Big Brood’s Spaudeen way from him. It’s me that jump on they back and fight awhile. And it’s me that turns out the show if the matron get too salty.

Related Characters: Hazel (speaker), Baby Jason, Big Brood
Page Number: 14
Explanation and Analysis:

Grownups figure they can treat you just anyhow. Which burns me up.

Related Characters: Hazel (speaker), Baby Jason, Big Brood, The Manager
Related Symbols: King of Kings
Page Number: 15
Explanation and Analysis:

My Daddy had the suspect it was me cause Big Brood got a big mouth. But I explained right quick what the whole thing was about and I figured it was even-steven. Cause if you say Gorilla, My Love, you suppose to mean it. […] I mean even gangsters in the movies say My word is my bond. So don’t nobody get away with nothin far as I’m concerned.

Related Characters: Hazel (speaker), Big Brood, Daddy
Related Symbols: King of Kings
Page Number: 17-18
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Gorilla, My Love LitChart as a printable PDF.
Gorilla, My Love PDF

Big Brood Quotes in Gorilla, My Love

The Gorilla, My Love quotes below are all either spoken by Big Brood or refer to Big Brood. 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:
Trust, Solidarity, and Betrayal Theme Icon
).
Gorilla, My Love Quotes

Like when the big boys come up on us talkin bout Lemme a nickel. It’s me that hide the money. Or when the bad boys in the park take Big Brood’s Spaudeen way from him. It’s me that jump on they back and fight awhile. And it’s me that turns out the show if the matron get too salty.

Related Characters: Hazel (speaker), Baby Jason, Big Brood
Page Number: 14
Explanation and Analysis:

Grownups figure they can treat you just anyhow. Which burns me up.

Related Characters: Hazel (speaker), Baby Jason, Big Brood, The Manager
Related Symbols: King of Kings
Page Number: 15
Explanation and Analysis:

My Daddy had the suspect it was me cause Big Brood got a big mouth. But I explained right quick what the whole thing was about and I figured it was even-steven. Cause if you say Gorilla, My Love, you suppose to mean it. […] I mean even gangsters in the movies say My word is my bond. So don’t nobody get away with nothin far as I’m concerned.

Related Characters: Hazel (speaker), Big Brood, Daddy
Related Symbols: King of Kings
Page Number: 17-18
Explanation and Analysis: