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Malcolm X (also known as Malcolm Little, Detroit Red, Satan, and El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz)

The narrator and subject of the autobiography. The autobiography portrays Malcolm in five distinct phases of his life, and each of these phases is the subject of a separte in-depth character analysis in this SparkNotes guide.

Malcolm as Malcolm Little

As a young boy, Malcolm is bright and popular but feels excluded by white people.

Read an in an-depth analysis of Malcolm as Malcolm Little.

Malcolm as Detroit Red

Malcolm becomes a ruthless hustler on the streets of Boston and New York.

Read an in an-depth analysis of Malcolm as Detroit Red.

Malcolm as Satan

Malcolm goes to prison, where he undergoes a change of heart.

Read an in an-depth analysis of Malcolm as Satan.

Malcolm as Malcolm X

After his release from prison, Malcolm develops into an aggressive and persuasive spokesman for the Nation of Islam.

Read an in an-depth analysis of Malcolm as Malcolm X.

Malcolm as El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz

As an independent and international political leader, Malcolm is tolerant, meditative, and ambitious.

Read an in an-depth analysis of Malcolm as El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.

Elijah Muhammad

The spiritual leader of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm treats Elijah with immense respect even before he knows him, writing him letters daily while still in prison. Though he seems like a benevolent father figure, Elijah Muhammad becomes a jealous and defensive leader as his health fails and as Malcolm becomes more powerful.

Sister Betty

Malcolm’s wife, a quiet and strong woman. The autobiography does not emphasize Betty’s role, though she acts as Malcolm’s secretary, housekeeper, and confidante. Betty endures his busy traveling and work schedule, gives birth to five of his children, and witnesses his assassination.

Shorty

Malcolm’s best friend during his Boston years. Shorty is a musician who at first leads and then follows Malcolm into a life of crime. Shorty is a foil for Malcolm: while Malcolm converts to an aggressive hustler lifestyle, Shorty leads a comparatively normal life. The differences between the two men is clear in Shorty’s surprise at Malcolm’s foul language and violent tendencies, which he witnesses when Malcolm returns to Boston from New York.

Ella Little

Malcolm’s half-sister on his father’s side. When Malcolm is an adolescent, Ella provides him with a model of female strength and Black pride. She represents family unity within the autobiography. She welcomes Malcolm into her home in Boston and always supports him, later lending him money for his pilgrimage to Mecca.

Earl Little

Malcolm’s father. A preacher and political organizer from Georgia, Earl is a tall and outspoken authority figure in Malcolm’s early years. Earl’s assassination by whites for preaching the Black Nationalist ideas of Marcus Garvey makes him a martyr for Black nationalism.

Louise Little

Malcolm’s mother is a fair-skinned Black woman who endures the worst of the Great Depression. For Malcolm, Louise represents the harm that the white government does even when it claims to be acting charitably. Welfare agents separate Louise from her children and put her in a mental hospital, and Malcolm’s insistence on visiting her regularly shows his strong commitment to her.

Sophia

Malcolm’s white girlfriend. Malcolm and Sophia do not love each other but rather use each other as status symbols. Sophia represents the tempting allure of white women for Black men, and the emptiness of her relationship with Malcolm shapes Malcolm’s skepticism about interracial romance.

Laura

Malcolm’s first date, a quiet, middle-class Black girl from Roxbury Hill. When Malcolm dumps Laura for Sophia, Laura becomes involved with drugs and prostitution. Laura is an innocent victim of the ruthless and self-hating behavior that Malcolm observes in urban Black communities.

Sammy the Pimp

A Harlem pimp and drug dealer. As close friends, Malcolm and Sammy work together until tension develops between them over Malcolm’s assault on one of Sammy’s girlfriends. This episode shows that even the closest friendships easily crumble when gambling, drugs, and violence are involved.

West Indian Archie

An older Harlem hustler. Archie pays Malcolm for helping him run an informal gambling system in Harlem until they break violently over a misunderstanding. Archie’s photographic memory and aptitude in math exemplify the wasted potential of the Black ghetto.

Bimbi

A prison inmate. Bimbi, the most vocal of Malcolm’s fellow inmates, makes speeches that gain him the respect of guards and prisoners alike. He demonstrates to Malcolm the power of independent thought and persuasive argument, and thus serves as an inspiration to Malcolm when Malcolm converts to Islam.

Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali)

The world heavyweight boxing champion. Generous and understanding, Clay provides a place for Malcolm to stay during the first days of Malcolm’s split from the Nation of Islam.

Reginald Little

Malcolm’s younger brother. Malcolm takes Reginald under his wing from an early age and continues to protect him in Harlem. Malcolm’s later justification of Reginald’s eventual insanity as retribution for sinning shows Malcolm’s commitment to the principles of Islam.

Next section Malcolm as Malcolm Little

Popular pages: The Autobiography of Malcolm X

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