Summary
- Gregory's love for gardening in Abbott Elementary challenges stereotypes and provides important representation for Black men.
- Gardening symbolizes Gregory's character growth in the show, representing his pride in nurturing both plants and students.
- The popular sitcom uses gardening to showcase Gregory's journey of self-discovery and role as a positive male figure for young viewers.
One of the defining elements of Abbott Elementary's cast of characters, which includes dedicated, and ionate teachers coupled with an eccentric principal who has unconventional ways of doing her job, have made the show incredibly memorable and comedic to watch.
Abbott Elementary's Gregory Eddie and his relationship with Janine Teagues, in particular, was a hot topic before the premiere of the third season. Gregory quickly became a fan-favorite character since his season 1 debut, and one of his biggest hobbies is way more meaningful than audiences may have expected.
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Gregory's Love For Gardening Is Great Representation In Abbott Elementary
In an interview with Ebony, Tyler James Williams explained that growing up in New York, he never really got the chance to see gardens or spaces of that nature. When he got older, he realized that gardening brought him a lot of joy, and that pastime is often seen as something that is reserved for the affluent. Williams further shared that people tend to think of "grandmas or aunties", but Black men garden too.
Having Gregory be a Black man who unapologetically enjoys and is ionate about gardening helps to combat this stereotype. It helps bring this important representation to life and challenges the notion that gardening is only for one type of person. In addition, Abbott Elementary is a huge television show with millions of viewers. Seeing a Black man, so happily gardening will help young Black boys know that this is a pastime that they, too, can pursue and give them another role model to look up to.
Abbott Elementary Uses Gardening As A Symbol For Gregory's Character Growth
Abbott Elementary not only uses gardening as a tool for representation, but also as symbolism for Gregory's character growth. Gregory's dad owned a landscaping business that he took over from his own father. Because he spent so much time gardening as a child, Gregory could not stand the activity at the beginning of the show. As he began to become more comfortable at Abbott Elementary, with his students, and with Janine, Gregory began to garden once again. He grew into his role and into himself more, allowing him to revisit something that played a large role in his childhood.
Gardening also represents how Gregory takes pride in watching things grow and cultivating their development. Just like Gregory carefully tends to his plants at Abbott Elementary, he does the same with his students. He takes pride in investing in them and seeing them rise to their fullest potential, which is a similar sense of satisfaction in gardening.
Source: Ebony
Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary comedy series centered around a group of dedicated teachers at a struggling public school in Philadelphia. The show highlights their efforts to overcome bureaucratic challenges and underfunding, while showcasing their commitment to making a positive impact on their students' lives.
- Network
- ABC
- Cast
- Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, Janelle James, Josh Segarra, Mason Renfro, Jerry Minor, Larry Owens, Nate' Jones, Lela Hoffmeister, Vince Staples, Kimia Behpoornia, Dillion Blake Allen, Reggie Conquest, Kate Peterman, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Benjamin Norris, Aayden William, Ben Onyx Dowdy
- Seasons
- 4
