Recitatif’s Racial Theme
Pick 1 Topic Question
1. “Recitatif” (Morrison 138): To what extent, if at all, does Maggie’s race make a difference to readers’ understanding of the story? Additionally, why doesn’t Morrison explicitly state the race of these two women? What purpose might the ambiguity serve in relation to setting and context? Use at least one citation to support your claim.
2. “Model’s Assistant”: We don’t discover until midway through the story that the narrator is female (“Hi Womun”). Does the narrator describe herself with stereotypically male or female characteristics? Do you believe that she is truly ugly and that Garla is truly stunning?
Textbook
Mays, Kelly J. The Norton Introduction to Literature: Portable 12th Edition. New York: Norton, 2017
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