Trait	Evidence / Quote	Development Through the Book
Reflective & Observant	“I am trying to remember the first time I felt different.”	Jacqueline constantly reflects on her identity, noticing cultural and personal differences in her family and surroundings.
Curious & Intelligent	“I want to know why things are the way they are.”	She asks questions about family, society, and her own experiences, showing a desire to understand the world.
Resilient & Adaptable	“Brooklyn is loud and fast; Greenville is slow and warm.”	Learns to adjust to different environments, integrating the experiences from both the South and the North.
Family-Oriented & Loving	“My grandmother tells me that I am her child.”	Relies on family for guidance and comfort, forming strong emotional bonds that shape her worldview.
Creative & Expressive	“I keep writing, knowing that one day my words will matter.”	Uses poetry and storytelling as tools to process emotions and reflect on her experiences.
Socially & Historically Aware	“Even the air in the South feels heavy with what’s been done.”	Gains awareness of segregation, racism, and historical context while growing up, observing the world around her.
Empathetic & Sensitive	“I can feel other people’s feelings and their worries too.”	Shows compassion for family and community, understanding struggles beyond her own experiences.

Jacqueline Woodson, the narrator and protagonist of Brown Girl Dreaming, is a deeply reflective and observant child. From the very beginning, she shows a remarkable awareness of herself and her surroundings. She writes, “I am trying to remember the first time I felt different,” capturing her early curiosity about identity and belonging. This reflective nature allows readers to follow her as she navigates the complexities of childhood, family, and culture, providing insight into how her experiences shape her understanding of the world.

Alongside her reflective side, Jacqueline is intensely curious and intelligent. She often asks questions to make sense of her environment and her experiences, noting, “I want to know why things are the way they are.” This curiosity drives her to explore not only her family history but also the broader context of the society in which she grows up. It demonstrates a child’s natural desire to understand her world and shows her developing cognitive and emotional awareness.

Jacqueline is also resilient and adaptable, qualities that become evident as she moves between very different environments. She observes, “Brooklyn is loud and fast; Greenville is slow and warm,” highlighting her ability to notice contrasts and adjust accordingly. These moves challenge her to reconcile different experiences and integrate them into her sense of self, illustrating how she grows stronger and more flexible as she faces change.

Her deep connection to family is another defining feature of her character. Jacqueline often reflects on the support and love she receives, as when she recalls, “My grandmother tells me that I am her child.” Family members serve as anchors in her life, providing comfort, guidance, and a sense of continuity. Her strong bonds with family members shape her perspective and give her a secure foundation from which to explore the world.

Jacqueline’s creativity and love for writing are central to her identity. She notes, “I keep writing, knowing that one day my words will matter,” showing how storytelling and poetry become tools for understanding herself and expressing her experiences. Her creative voice allows her to process emotions, preserve memories, and articulate her growing awareness in ways that resonate both personally and universally.

Throughout the memoir, Jacqueline demonstrates a growing social and historical awareness. She observes, “Even the air in the South feels heavy with what’s been done,” reflecting her perception of historical and racial realities even as a child. This sensitivity to context underscores her maturity and shows how she is learning to interpret the world around her with thoughtfulness and care.

Finally, Jacqueline exhibits empathy and sensitivity toward others. She writes, “I can feel other people’s feelings and their worries too,” revealing her capacity to understand emotions beyond her own experiences. This ability to connect with the feelings of family and community members adds depth to her character and illustrates her emotional intelligence.

In conclusion, Jacqueline Woodson emerges in Brown Girl Dreaming as a reflective, curious, resilient, family-oriented, creative, socially aware, and empathetic child. Through her voice and experiences, readers witness the development of a young girl who observes, questions, adapts, and expresses herself with depth and authenticity. Her character is not only a lens into her own life but also a window into the rich complexity of childhood shaped by family, place, and history.