Practical Magic

Sally is the protagonist of Practical Magic, the white sheep in a family of black sheep. She steps into a maternal role early in life, taking care of her sister Gillian and making sure they both have clean bedding and healthy things to eat. Even though Gillian more accurately fills the role of a rebellious child—and later, teenager—Sally is the one who sticks out in her family. Immediately following the death of her parents, Sally feels an obligation to take responsibility for herself and Gillian, making arrangements for them to go to the aunts so they wouldn’t become separated. She strives to be the best daughter to the aunts she can be and to care for the household. This comes from a deep, internalized fear that her security is only temporary. Although she longs for a normal life, she’s smart enough even as a child to recognize that their situation could become much worse very quickly.

As Sally grows up, she approaches love differently compared to Gillian. She dates throughout high school but is unable to form a real connection with anyone: “Watching Gillian go through half the town made Sally wonder if perhaps she had only granite in the place where her heart should have been” (28).