My Sister's Keeper

by Jodi Picoult

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Student Question

How would you describe Kate's character in My Sister's Keeper?

Quick answer:

Kate is depicted primarily as "the ill sister" in My Sister's Keeper, defined largely by her illness and how others perceive her. Throughout the novel, she lacks a strong individual characterization, as her identity is tied to her sickness and her sister Anna's sacrifices. Even when she gains a narrative voice, Kate remains a pitiful figure, burdened by guilt over Anna's death and reliant on Anna for her survival.

Expert Answers

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The characterization of Kate in Picoult's My Sister's Keeper is not very strong.  Kate remains throughout the novel the "ill sister" and all that she does (or cannot do) revolves around her sickness.  The reader only sees Kate through the eyes of others, and this is how her family portrays her.  However, at the end of the novel when Kate finally has narrative voice, she is still the pitiful character in awe of her sister's strength and feeling guilty over her sister's death.  Kate cannot get over feeling that Anna's death is her fault, and she says that she should be the one who is haunting Anna from the grave.  Kate is not really an individual because she literally owes her life to Anna--Anna's donated kidney has put Kate into long-term remission.

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