This story follows a hardworking, African American, single mother of two daughters. Her youngest, Maggie, is shy, fearful, and ashamed by her horrible scars (which she recieved in a house fire). Her oldest, Dee, is the exact opposite, she changes her name to Wangero, and brings a friend (Asalamalakim) with her when visiting her family (the narrator believes they might be married but doesn't ask).When Dee returns home she uses "Black Power" phrases that her mother and sister don't understand, then she demands multiple items including pieces necessary to make butter and quilts. Her mother finally stands up to her eldest daughter and takes the quilts from her, giving them to Maggie, like she promised. Dee leaves, upset, complaining that they don't understand the true value of their heritage. Maggie smiles, no longer afraid; she and the narrator sit together at the end of the story.
I really liked this story, though if it had not been for the comments on the side I would not have gotten a large bit of it. I especially love the end where the mother takes the quilts from Dee, and Dee ironically remarks that they don't understand their heritage (ironic since she won't take the time to understand and respect her own). I disliked how Maggie was referred to as "slow", she didn't seem slow to me, just shy. I disliked Dee and loved how lost to her mother, especially since she expected to be able to take whatever she liked, and did not expect her mother to stand up to her; she deserved what she got. I was glad that Maggie finally stopped being afraid and smiled truelly at the end.
No comments:
Post a Comment