Girl in Translation

by

Jean Kwok

Mr. Bogart Character Analysis

Mr. Bogart is Kim's first teacher at school. He's tall, and Kim initially thinks that he's strangely bald, though she eventually realizes he's just blonde. His teaching methods don't make school easy for Kim; he marks her down for solving math problems in ways that are slightly different than the way he teaches, and has a habit of assigning projects like collages that require expensive supplies like glitter to do well on. He often marks her down for carelessness or shoddy workmanship. To make matters worse for Kim, Mr. Bogart is also openly sexist and doesn't think that his female students are capable of doing well at math or science.
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Mr. Bogart Character Timeline in Girl in Translation

The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Bogart appears in Girl in Translation. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Two
Work vs. Education Theme Icon
Independence and Coming of Age Theme Icon
...classroom door and enters when the muffled voice tells her to come in. Her teacher, Mr. Bogart , is extremely tall, thin, and unnaturally pale. Kim struggles to understand what he's asking... (full context)
Work vs. Education Theme Icon
The Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
As Mr. Bogart resumes his lecture, Kim places her hand behind her back to listen, as is customary... (full context)
Poverty and Shame Theme Icon
Work vs. Education Theme Icon
The Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
...school. Ma knows that Kim is lying. Through tears, Kim tells Ma about how mean Mr. Bogart had been to her the day before. Ma offers to speak to Mr. Bogart, but... (full context)
Three
Family, Choices, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Work vs. Education Theme Icon
...uneventful. Kim had the foresight to forge a letter from Ma explaining her absence, and Mr. Bogart accepts it without question. (full context)
The Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
Mr. Bogart hands out a test. It takes Kim a few minutes to realize that they're simple... (full context)
Work vs. Education Theme Icon
...on her test, though her method of solving the problems is slightly different and so Mr. Bogart takes off points. After the eraser incident, Kim and Annette become friends. Annette draws rude... (full context)
Poverty and Shame Theme Icon
Work vs. Education Theme Icon
The Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
...send Kim to school, as she's too afraid to leave Kim in the freezing apartment. Mr. Bogart remains unimpressed with Kim, even as she proves herself a whiz at math and science.... (full context)
Family, Choices, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Work vs. Education Theme Icon
Independence and Coming of Age Theme Icon
...so she doesn't have to show Ma her poor grades. She continues to struggle with Mr. Bogart 's assignments, as he assigns things that are nearly impossible for her—collages out of old... (full context)
Work vs. Education Theme Icon
Mr. Bogart 's favorite student is Tyrone Marshall, a poor black student. His grades are exceptional and... (full context)
Four
Family, Choices, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Independence and Coming of Age Theme Icon
The Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
Mr. Bogart assigns a diorama depicting conflict resolution skills. Annette and Kim decide to work together, and... (full context)
The Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
...straight for the factory. Much to Kim's horror, Ma walks into the school and offers Mr. Bogart a takeout box, saying "Merry X-y-masy." Mr. Bogart opens the box, which contains a drumstick.... (full context)
Seven
Poverty and Shame Theme Icon
Work vs. Education Theme Icon
Independence and Coming of Age Theme Icon
The Immigrant Experience Theme Icon
...to be at Harrison Prep, not least because she no longer has "fun" assignments like Mr. Bogart assigned. Her tests and papers only require paper and pens. (full context)