Royce Character Analysis

Royce is a Black teenager who sleeps in the community garden; he’s homeless after his dad beat him and kicked him out. At first, the other gardeners are scared of Royce. He’s a hulking, muscular figure and Amir describes him as the kind of person whom others cross the street to avoid. But over time, Royce becomes a beloved fixture in the garden. Curtis initially employs Royce to keep watch at night over his tomatoes, which non-gardeners have been stealing. Later, Royce joins several other gardeners in chasing a man who stole a woman’s purse—and becomes locally famous after holding the criminal at pitchfork-point until the police arrive. Following this incident, women begin to shower Royce with food and affection. A kind and generous person, Royce often waters for people who are ill or performs other small tasks in others’ plots. He never takes credit for his work and seems interested in just helping people.