Mrs. Hunt Character Analysis in If Beale Street Could Talk

Fonny’s mother and Frank’s resentful wife. Mrs. Hunt is a highly religious woman who disapproves of Tish and her family’s lifestyle, believing that Tish has ruined her son’s life because she has a “demon” in her. In keeping with this, she tells Tish that her and Fonny’s child is going “shrivel in [her] womb.” When she says this, Frank stands up and slaps her to the floor, not caring that she has a “weak heart.” As Adrienne and Sheila—Mrs. Hunt’s loyal daughters—crowd around her, Joseph takes Frank to a bar to remove him from the situation, leaving the women alone as they continue to argue about Tish’s pregnancy. By the end of this conversation, it becomes clear that Mrs. Hunt and her daughters will have nothing to do with Tish and Fonny’s child. What’s more, readers get the sense that Mrs. Hunt doesn’t care what happens to Fonny, since he has taken after his father and thus leads a lifestyle of which she disapproves.

Mrs. Hunt Quotes in If Beale Street Could Talk

The If Beale Street Could Talk quotes below are all either spoken by Mrs. Hunt or refer to Mrs. Hunt. 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:

).

I guess you call your lustful action love […]. I don’t. I always knew that you would be the destruction of my son. You have a demon in you—I always knew it. My God caused me to know it many a year ago. The Holy Ghost will cause that child to shrivel in your womb. But my son will be forgiven. My prayers will save him.

Related Characters: Mrs. Hunt (speaker), Tish (Clementine), Fonny (Alonzo Hunt), Frank Hunt

Page Number and Citation: 69

Explanation and Analysis:

And Mrs. Hunt added, “These girls won’t be bringing me no bastards to feed, I can guarantee you that.”

“But the child that’s coming,” said Sharon, after a moment, “is your grandchild. I don’t understand you. It’s your grandchild. What difference does it make how it gets here? The child ain’t got nothing to do with that—don’t none of us have nothing to do with that!"

Related Characters: Tish (Clementine) (speaker), Fonny (Alonzo Hunt), Sharon, Ernestine (Sis), Mrs. Hunt

Page Number and Citation: 72

Explanation and Analysis:

Mrs. Hunt Quotes in If Beale Street Could Talk

The If Beale Street Could Talk quotes below are all either spoken by Mrs. Hunt or refer to Mrs. Hunt. 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:

).

I guess you call your lustful action love […]. I don’t. I always knew that you would be the destruction of my son. You have a demon in you—I always knew it. My God caused me to know it many a year ago. The Holy Ghost will cause that child to shrivel in your womb. But my son will be forgiven. My prayers will save him.

Related Characters: Mrs. Hunt (speaker), Tish (Clementine), Fonny (Alonzo Hunt), Frank Hunt

Page Number and Citation: 69

Explanation and Analysis:

And Mrs. Hunt added, “These girls won’t be bringing me no bastards to feed, I can guarantee you that.”

“But the child that’s coming,” said Sharon, after a moment, “is your grandchild. I don’t understand you. It’s your grandchild. What difference does it make how it gets here? The child ain’t got nothing to do with that—don’t none of us have nothing to do with that!"

Related Characters: Tish (Clementine) (speaker), Fonny (Alonzo Hunt), Sharon, Ernestine (Sis), Mrs. Hunt

Page Number and Citation: 72

Explanation and Analysis:

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Mrs. Hunt Character Analysis

Mrs. Hunt Quotes in If Beale Street Could Talk

Mrs. Hunt Quotes in If Beale Street Could Talk

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