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.
I think Dee just wants her mama to have a better life than working so hard. Dee knows there is more out there to life than staying on a farm to give herself a better life. In my opinion, the reason she wanted to change her name is because she is going to make something of herself, other than providing for the family; a new name means a new start in the family lineage that Dee wants to create. I do agree with you that she does seem arrogant at times during the story though.
ReplyDeleteI felt that Mama was sort of put out by her daughters and even if Dee did seem sort of arrogant she probably just wanted her mom's approval and you don't see this displayed. Then maggie is sort of just there like a wallflower but she doesn't seem to mind.
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