1. The story is mainly told in first person, and Mama is the story teller. Mama is the mother of both Dee and Maggie. Her physical characteristics consist of being black, large, and big-boned. This black woman is unlike any other in that she voluntarily takes on tasks fit for man and enjoys them. The story does not convey exactly where the story takes place, but we can conclude that Mama resides somewhere in the south. She lives by her traditional standards furtive and proudly. Details of her home are limited, but we know many things around the home are home-made, or are complete by scratch, usually by the persons inhabiting (Mama and Maggie). Mama’s life has been difficult, yet stable. She, herself, grew up with a sister with whom she seems
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Maggie is thin, and has her hair concentrated on the side of her head. Emotionally, she is homely and ashamed of herself. In the story, she is compared to a lame animal; a dog that has been run down by a car to be exact. She carries herself in a hunchback posture: her head slumped down, her eyes focused on the ground, and her feet scooting or dragging through the ground. Dee perhaps has a lighter complexion than that of her sister. She has nicer hair and a fuller figure. Dee is one that has been spoiled by the world around, and it is because of this that she is more open to opportunities that lead her into a realm of curiosity, which opens the door of education upon her behalf. She is conveyed through the story as the “pretty one,” who always wants nice things. It is said that she developed her own sense of style at the age of sixteen, and has crude way of showing her distaste for things whose presence she does not agree with. Mentally, the girls differ in their interest in education, and degrees of understanding their personal sense of self. Dee has always been a strong advocate for reading, where Maggie has lacked the motivation to read something she doesn’t have to. Both ladies have their own insecurities, but only Dee strays from her from heritage. Because of this, Dee gets further away from knowing and embracing her true self. Maggie has spent less time questioning her way of life with Mama, and as a result, knows more about her family history, can participate in all
Maggie is thin, and has her hair concentrated on the side of her head. Emotionally, she is homely and ashamed of herself. In the story, she is compared to a lame animal; a dog that has been run down by a car to be exact. She carries herself in a hunchback posture: her head slumped down, her eyes focused on the ground, and her feet scooting or dragging through the ground. Dee perhaps has a lighter complexion than that of her sister. She has nicer hair and a fuller figure. Dee is one that has been spoiled by the world around, and it is because of this that she is more open to opportunities that lead her into a realm of curiosity, which opens the door of education upon her behalf. She is conveyed through the story as the “pretty one,” who always wants nice things. It is said that she developed her own sense of style at the age of sixteen, and has crude way of showing her distaste for things whose presence she does not agree with. Mentally, the girls differ in their interest in education, and degrees of understanding their personal sense of self. Dee has always been a strong advocate for reading, where Maggie has lacked the motivation to read something she doesn’t have to. Both ladies have their own insecurities, but only Dee strays from her from heritage. Because of this, Dee gets further away from knowing and embracing her true self. Maggie has spent less time questioning her way of life with Mama, and as a result, knows more about her family history, can participate in all