Characters

The short story “The Test” by Angelica Gibbs features three characters: Marian, the protagonist, Mrs. Ericson, her employer, and Marian’s driving inspector. Note that the inspector who flunked Marian the first time she took her driving test also makes a brief appearance in the story, and the narration also makes a brief reference to Mrs. Ericson’s children and previous employees.

Marian is the protagonist of the short story. She is a young African-American woman who is taking her driving test for the second time. 

Mrs. Ericson is a secondary character in the short story for whom Marian works. 

The inspector is another secondary character in “The Test”. He is not a developing character, as his racist views persist and unravel throughout his interaction with Marian.

Read their detailed characterization in the next pages!