The very first thing that I felt in this story was respect for “Mama”. Even though her education was lacking, she obviously knew how to work. “In real life I am a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands. In the winter I wear flannel nightgowns to bed and overalls during the day. I can kill and clean a hog as mercilessly as a man.”
Dee, on the other hand, did not respect her mother’s work ethic and all her mother had done for her. She seems to only think about everything they are lacking. “No doubt when Dee sees it she will want to tear it down. She wrote me once that no matter where we ‘choose’ to live, she will manage to come see us. But she will never bring her friends.”
Dee’s education didn’t seem to make her a well-rounded person. Instead, it made her more close-minded and arrogant. She thinks she is going back to her history by changing her name, appearance and behavior to those of native Africa. However, she doesn’t realize she’s actually neglecting her real history, a history that is sadly filled with “people that oppress” her. Wouldn’t we all like to just omit the unpleasant things that happened to us? But we can’t. That history makes us stronger if we choose to accept it. Mama has done that, moved on and become a strong woman because of it. Dee doesn’t understand that, and seems to be floating around, trying to give her life purpose.
