Uglies Study Guide

Uglies

• Tally Youngblood is the main character of the story. She is clever and loves tricks. Her Ugly nickname is Squint. As the story progresses, she begins to stray from the rules of her city, and her assignment. She falls in love with David at the Smoke. Together, Tally and David rescue the Smokies after the Smoke is captured by Special Circumstances. In the end, she gives herself up to be Pretty and help Shay.
• Shay is Tally's new friend in Uglyville. She is an Ugly nicknamed Skinny. They meet while Tally is fleeing from New Pretty City. Shay teaches Tally how to hoverboard and more about the outside world and the Rusties. Shay prefers to refer to Tally by her name, however, they occasionally call each other by their Ugly nicknames to provoke each other. After a fight, Shay decides to "grow up" and go to the Smoke. Shay grows jealous of Tally's presence in the Smoke, especially of her relationship with David. Shay realizes Tally's ultimate betrayal, but no longer cares once she is made Pretty.

Smokies

• David, the son of the founders of the Smoke, was not born in any city. Shay has an interest in David but he does not reciprocate her feelings. After Tally arrives at the Smoke, his interest in her makes Shay jealous. David helps change Tally’s feeling towards the cities. He wears hand sewn clothing, made from animal skins, and has survival skills which he passes on to Tally.
• Maddy is David’s mother. She tells Tally about the brain lesions caused by the Pretty surgery, and later develops a cure for the lesions. She is a founder of the Smoke.
• Az is David’s f and dies in an operation. As part of the Pretty Special Committee, he discovered the brain lesions that the Pretty surgery causes and suspects the lesions are intentional. He is a founder of the Smoke.
• Croy is another Smokie. He is originally from Uglyville and knows Shay. He is originally suspicious of Tally, but grows to trust her.

Specials

• Dr. Cable is the head of Special Circumstances, and the one who denies Tally the operation until she finds Shay. She sends Specials to destroy the Smoke. She is described as having an aquiline nose, non-reflective gray eyes, a razor-like voice, and sharp teeth.

Pretties

• Peris, Tally's best friend, is three months older than Tally and thus has become a Pretty. He helps Tally decide to betray Shay. His Ugly nickname was Nose.
• Ellie Youngblood is Tally’s mother who helps Tally decide to turn in Shay. She is a Middle Pretty.
• Sol Youngblood is Tally's father who helps Tally decide to turn in Shay. He is Middle Pretty.