THE HATE U GIVE
THE HATE U GIVE - NOTES BY TEACHER
Part 1: When It Happens
Chapter 1: Introducing Starr and the Party
Starr expresses her discomfort at Big D's spring break party in Garden Heights due to feeling out of place.
She notes the distinct difference between her two identities and the challenges of belonging.
Kenya, Starr's friend and Seven's half-sister, encourages Starr to dance and not act superior.
Starr feels self-conscious about her appearance compared to the other girls.
Starr and Kenya's complicated family dynamic is explained: they share brother Seven, but Kenya's mother and Starr's father are Seven's parents, respectively.
Kenya accuses Starr of being ashamed of Garden Heights because she attends Williamson Prep, a predominantly white school.
Kenya is quick to criticize after begging her to come to the party.
Chapter 1 Continued: Social Dynamics, Tensions & Chris
Kenya's potential as a model is noted, highlighting her physical attractiveness and fashionable clothing provided by her father, King.
Starr reflects on her limited social life in Garden Heights due to attending school far away and being a latchkey kid.
Kenya's confrontational behavior and reliance on her father's reputation as a deterrent are described.
-The Stank-Eye is described as something that can invite you to have your ass kicked or invites you to kick someone's assKenya's ongoing animosity with Denasia Allen is evident, signaling potential conflict.
Chris, Starr's boyfriend, attempts to contact her, creating internal conflict as she ignores him due to a prior disagreement between them.
Chapter 1 Continued: Social Interactions, Old Friends, and Tension
Kenya introduces Starr to Bianca and Chance, friends from Garden Heights, leading to discussions about their lives and schooling.
Chance and Bianca tease Starr for going to a "white-people school", stereotype Williamson as a place where students do drugs and listen to Taylor Swift, and invite themselves to future parties at her school.
Feeling invisible, Starr grapples with discomfort and a sense of not belonging at the party because she doesn't know anyone.
Khalil's Arrival: Khalil appears, and they reminisce about their childhood, disrupting Starr’s current relationship with Chris and making her conscious of her appearance.
Khalil's changed appearance, marked by expensive new Jordans and diamond earrings, hints at a dangerous lifestyle, causing Starr to feel torn and worried.
Chapter 1 Concluded: Serious Topics, Old Memories and Gun Shots
Khalil reveals his grandmother has cancer and his mother's struggles with addiction, adding depth to Garden Heights's struggles.
Drake's music sparks a playful argument between Starr and Khalil.
Khalil cleans his very expensive Jordans (Three Retros) and Starr lectures him on proper cleaning methods
Khalil mentions needing to speak with Starr’s father, Big Mav, about serious matters, adding to this sense of foreboding.
Amid increasing tension and chaos, gunshots erupt at the party, causing mass panic and a literal stampede for the door.
Chapter 1 Final: Escape and Thug Life
Amidst the chaos, Khalil grabs Starr and they flee the scene, leaving behind Kenya.
Kenya texts Starr ready to fight Denasia, despite the recent stampede for their lives.
They escape in Khalil's Chevy Impala where Khalil reveals Garden Heights has been a battlefield for the past 2 months due to stupid terriorty wars.
Starr questions Kenya's priorities in that she is thinking about the fight when she just ran for her life.
"Thug Life" Tupac references: Khalil explains Tupac's interpretation of “Thug Life” as “The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody,” connecting societal factors to individual actions and the cycle of violence, hate and ignorance.
Chapter 1 Final: More Trouble and Lies
Starr questions Khalil about his
drug dealing. Starr does not believe he is involved in illegal activities.