Who's Who in the Play
Miss Daisy Werthan
Daisy Werthan is a 72-year-old widow and former school teacher when the in 1948 and 97-years-old when the play ends. After getting into a car accident while backing out of her garage, Daisy’s son Boolie decides she is too old to drive. He insists on hiring a driver for his independent, stubborn, and, at times, bossy but mother. She feels that a driver in her day-to-day life will cramp her style no longer allowing her to have full control of all her actions. She will lose her independence. The new driver, Hoke Coleburn, upholds a consistently mild, encouraging, and respectful manner with Miss Daisy, which eventually persuades her to allow him to drive her to the local grocery store. For the next 25 years, Hoke faithfully serves as Daisy’s chauffeur. As her friendship with Hoke grows, she reshapes some of her imbedded prejudices against African Americans and later becomes a supporter of civil rights. As the play ends, physically weak and unable to care for herself, Daisy is placed in a nursing home. Despite her old age, however, she maintains her sense of self, which is characterized by her humor and determined will – but at 97, she is softer and more vulnerable.
Miss Daisy Werthan
Daisy Werthan is a 72-year-old widow and former school teacher when the in 1948 and 97-years-old when the play ends. After getting into a car accident while backing out of her garage, Daisy’s son Boolie decides she is too old to drive. He insists on hiring a driver for his independent, stubborn, and, at times, bossy but mother. She feels that a driver in her day-to-day life will cramp her style no longer allowing her to have full control of all her actions. She will lose her independence. The new driver, Hoke Coleburn, upholds a consistently mild, encouraging, and respectful manner with Miss Daisy, which eventually persuades her to allow him to drive her to the local grocery store. For the next 25 years, Hoke faithfully serves as Daisy’s chauffeur. As her friendship with Hoke grows, she reshapes some of her imbedded prejudices against African Americans and later becomes a supporter of civil rights. As the play ends, physically weak and unable to care for herself, Daisy is placed in a nursing home. Despite her old age, however, she maintains her sense of self, which is characterized by her humor and determined will – but at 97, she is softer and more vulnerable.
