Small Great Things

Small Great Things

by

Jodi Picoult

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Small Great Things makes teaching easy.

Christina Character Analysis

Christina is Ms. Mina's daughter. She's a year older than Ruth and growing up, the two were close friends. However, Christina led a life of privilege and never fully understood what Ruth's life was like, which led Ruth to distance herself just in case Christina started to exclude her. Christina was also traumatized by watching her mother give birth, which led her to choose to have her son via surrogate. In the present, Christina is married to a man named Larry and is struggling with his decision to run for Congress. As Ruth is charged with murder, Christina explains that the two can't be seen together, as it'd be damaging for Larry's campaign to be involved with such a scandal. Ruth sees this as proof that Christina is biased, racist, and privileged. However, in the final days of the trial, Christina shows up at Ruth's house and explains that she's been in court in disguise. She apologizes for her behavior and her ignorance, and it's implied that she and Ruth start to repair their relationship and be more honest with each other after the case ends.

Christina Quotes in Small Great Things

The Small Great Things quotes below are all either spoken by Christina or refer to Christina. 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: Hate, Fear, and Grief Theme Icon
).
Chapter 1, Ruth Quotes

As Christina held my hand and Ms. Mina held Mama's, there was a moment—one heartbeat, one breath—where all the differences in schooling and money and skin color evaporated like mirages in a desert. Where everyone was equal, and it was just one woman, helping another.

Related Characters: Ruth Jefferson (speaker), Mama, Rachel / Adisa, Christina
Page Number: 6
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 22, Ruth Quotes

She falters, then gathers up the weeds of her thoughts and offers me the saddest, truest bouquet. "I didn't know."

"Why would you?" I reply—not angry, not hurt, just stating a fact. "You'll never have to."

Related Characters: Ruth Jefferson (speaker), Christina (speaker)
Page Number: 366
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Small Great Things LitChart as a printable PDF.
Small Great Things PDF

Christina Quotes in Small Great Things

The Small Great Things quotes below are all either spoken by Christina or refer to Christina. 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: Hate, Fear, and Grief Theme Icon
).
Chapter 1, Ruth Quotes

As Christina held my hand and Ms. Mina held Mama's, there was a moment—one heartbeat, one breath—where all the differences in schooling and money and skin color evaporated like mirages in a desert. Where everyone was equal, and it was just one woman, helping another.

Related Characters: Ruth Jefferson (speaker), Mama, Rachel / Adisa, Christina
Page Number: 6
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 22, Ruth Quotes

She falters, then gathers up the weeds of her thoughts and offers me the saddest, truest bouquet. "I didn't know."

"Why would you?" I reply—not angry, not hurt, just stating a fact. "You'll never have to."

Related Characters: Ruth Jefferson (speaker), Christina (speaker)
Page Number: 366
Explanation and Analysis: