Dancer

COL033

2011

Other

Hula Dancer is a character featured in Chuck Palahniuk's novel, Other. She is a resident of the Old Grist Mill Retirement Home, the facility where the protagonist, Delta Dawn, deposits her elderly mother, Abbey.

Hula Dancer's real name is never explicitly revealed in the book. Her moniker stems from her unusual behavior and appearance; she perpetually wears a hula skirt and performs what can only be charitably described as hula dancing, much to the amusement and sometimes consternation of the other residents and staff.

Little is known about Hula Dancer's life before the retirement home. Palahniuk uses her primarily as a vehicle for dark humor and social commentary, showcasing the bizarre and often unsettling realities of aging and institutional living. She is often used to highlight Delta's own growing disconnection from societal norms.

While a minor character, Hula Dancer embodies the themes of eccentricity and the loss of self that permeate Other. Her unpredictable actions and distinct style make her a memorable, if somewhat disturbing, presence in the narrative.