For my close reading this week, I chose the paragraph on page 1176 beginning with "I think it was the day before Maggie fell" (1176). The time that Twyla and Roberta have both been at the shelter provides an insightful reflection of their emotional well-beings later in the story. Twyla informs us readers that their mothers were coming to visit them on the Sunday. She goes on to mention that her and Roberta had been at the shelter "twenty-eight days" (1176). She further clarifies that Roberta had been there "twenty-eight and a half days" (1176). This was a very small detail to include, but it goes to show how young and childish both characters are at this point in the story. It gave me the impression that they must have previously spoken to each other about how long they've both been there. Being the children they are, they probably argued over this the same way kids compare ages to see who's older before it inevitably comes down to one being older than the other by something as minuscule as a week, as if that makes a significant difference in their maturity. But this issue, unlike unnoticeable differences in age, is actually something worth noticing. Twyla and Roberta are lonely and scared children as they explicitly state later in the story on page 1187. Neither of them like being at the shelter separated from their respective mothers. This subject of how long they've been stuck at the shelter most likely served as a way for the two of them to bond and find someone to relate to. They're both scared little girls who want to be back with their mothers. Even if they're both filled with such negative feelings as a result of being stuck in the shelter, they're both still very joyed to be united with their mothers on the rest of page 1176 because their mothers help them feel more secure and less afraid.
Morrison, Toni. "Recitatif." The Norton Anthology World Literature, edited by Martin Puchner, Third Edition, vol. F, W. W. Norton 2012, pp. 1172-1187
Howdy Sabian,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your close reading of Toni Morrison's "Recitalif". Your interpretation of their maturity and how they handled their themselves was well explained. This passage really does display the childish nature both could express at times. Anyways, great work this semester! Good luck on all of your future endeavers, man!
Hello Sabien, I enjoyed your analysis on the story, "Recitatif". I found your analysis interesting because out of the ones I read based on this story, your the first to describe this quote and their immaturiaty. I agree though with you explanation of the quote and think it does show their immaturity at that stge in their life. Nice work Sabien and good luck with the rest of your classes.
ReplyDeleteHi Sabian
ReplyDeletei like your analysis of Morrison and I also agree with you that the author is talking about age difference which is an interesting point of view. You seem to understand what the author was trying to portray in her story. I think it would be nice if you went in a little more detail about his poem I would like to know what you kind of think about them.