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Maxine “The Maverick” Shaw, Attorney at Law
Critical Character Analysis of a Prominent, Career-Driven, Single, Black Woman
Maxine (Max) Shaw is a pivotal, iconic, Black female TV character. Until Living Single, we had not witnessed a young, professional Black woman like Maxine.
Trivia: What is Maxine Shaw’s middle name? Comment now if you know. Otherwise, keep reading. I will reveal it later.
Claire Huxtable was a married, affluent mother and attorney.
Max was a cut-throat, young, single, childless, and assertive attorney.
With that, she raised some stereotypes about professional Black women but also revealed some personality traits worth exploring.
Max Was Tough
From the courtroom to her friends’ living room to the bedroom, Max was tough. When people say professional Black women are tough, they mean Max. Max knew she was tough and was proud of it. She named herself “The Maverick.”
She was very direct. She seemed to have no feelings. Even in relationships with great men, she was not comfortable being affectionate. She would rather have great sex rather than be a supportive girlfriend who supported her man (remember Kyle’s 30th birthday).
