Pieces Of Why Analysis

In Pieces of Why by K. L. Going, Tia, a teenage singer, uncovers the secrets of her childhood. Tia lives in a small apartment with her mother; ever since Tia’s youth, her father has been in prison for a robbery. Tia and her mother never speak about what happened during her childhood. Tia’s way of surmounting tension (caused by her home), is to sing. She is involved in the Rainbow choir, a mixed group of young teenagers who practice singing together in an unnamed church. One day during Tia’s choir practice, a shooting occurs outside. Anarchy uproars from the singers, instructors, and parents watching the practice. Amidst the chaos, Tia loses sight of her best-friend, Keisha; now, Tia is all alone, surrounded by turmoil. A boy in her class, …show more content…
The next day, the choir would be performing at a town gathering called, June Fest—with Tia singing the lead. Suspicion arises when Tia overhears Keisha’s mother and aunt discussing Tia’s character. Keisha’s aunt ponders on the idea of Tia becoming “disturbed,” like her father who as Keisha’s aunt described, killed a twelve-year-old girl. Tia begins to question what her mother has been keeping from her all these years. Her father was not in prison for just a robbery, but for a murder as well. With her newly discovered knowledge, Tia notices how the town has been subtly reviling her family—until now, she’s never noticed. In effect, Tia is unable to perform at the June …show more content…
(Even though Tia’s father was not dead.) Taken aback by the woman’s actions, Tia creates a fresh plan; one to visit the family of the little girl her father had killed. With much help and guidance from Keisha, Tia heads across town without her mother’s permission. However, when Tia arrives at the house, she becomes anxious and runs away. After a long tirade about the events in Tia’s life, Kenny and Tia unexpectedly kiss. This drives their relationship into a more serious affair. As for Tia’s mother, her mother learns that she went halfway across town and becomes furious.
The next morning, Tia’s mother explains how the family she had attempted to visit invited Tia and her choir to sing at a benefit created in memory of the little girl her father shot. Tia is taken aback by the news. In addition to the invitation. Tia’s mother feels as if it’s time to take Tia to see her father. In effect, Tia and her mother travel to the prison. As Tia converses with her father, she begins to forgive him. After the long years of anger and confusion, she forgives him for his actions and intends to visit him again. Later, Tia and the choir perform at the benefit. All in all, Tia is able to put her past behind her, create a forgiving bond with her father, and to continue her lifelong dream; to