Nancy Lee Johnson

Outer characterization

Nancy Lee Johnson is the main character of the short story “One Friday Morning” by Langston Hughes. She is characterized as “pretty and brown” (p. 2, l. 2), with “a soft, velvety voice” (p. 2, l. 4). 

Nancy Lee comes from a modest family originating in the South of the US (p. 2, l. 1) and now attends George Washington High (p. 1, l. 9) in a city “in the Middle West” (p.2, ll. 19-20). Nancy Lee is an accomplished student: “She stood high in scholarship, played a swell game of basketball, had taken part in the senior musical” (p. 2, ll. 3-4). She is also an aspiring artist; she participates in an art competition and wants to attend the local Art School.

Inner characterization

Nancy Lee’s inner characterization is constructed through her thoughts, her language, and her actions.

At the beginning of the story, Nancy Lee is characterized as “a calm and quiet young lady” (p. 1, l. 3), who “fitted in well with life of the school” (p. 2, l. 3), suggesting she is pleasant and easygoing. Nancy Lee’s accomplishments in school (p. 2, ll. 3-4) indicate t...