Toni Morrison’s only short story was “Recitatif.” She never reveals which character is white or black. The story explores the relationship between Twyla and Roberta, and their experiences based on their racial differences. By decoding each characters racial identity, we can then understand how race defines a person’s status in society. In analyzing the social cues such as culture, politics and economic signs, to identify the racial identity of Twyla and Roberta.
During the course of the narrative Twyla describes her on and off again relationship with Roberta. The girls first meet during their short stay at St. Bonnie’s, which was an orphanage, they both were 8 years old. Neither of the girls were real orphans, and because of this they were …show more content…
With a name like Twyla most people would assume her to be black. From the story we know Twyla’s mother “danced all night long” (Morrison p. 131). She could arguably be a stripper, which is more of an occupation of a black woman. However, we could also argue that her mother could be white, which would be a possible occupation for a low class white woman. I believe Twyla to be white. These stereotypes are prevalent throughout the entire story, making it harder on the reader to determine the true racial identities of the girls. With Roberta, she is assumed to be black. Another possible clue given to us by Morrison, could be the fact that her last name is Fisk, which happens to be the name of a black university. Although we not able decide on the racial identities by their names, Morrison has left us other cultural …show more content…
They meet at the new food emporium that was built to accommodate the new IBM employees that lived in Annandale. Twyla is now married to a fireman and has one son. She decided to go to the new store to check it out, even though they live on a small budget. Roberta is also married to a widower who has four children, and works for IBM. They even have a Chinese chauffer. Twyla makes a seemingly racist comment saying, “Everything is so easy for them. They think they own the world” (p. 139). This seems like an out of place statement, especially is Roberta is black. Considering this is when America was finally being integrated. Not long after they find themselves on the opposite sides of the school integration struggle where both of their children were faced with, the new bussing system. Twyla’s son is now attending a better school and Roberta’s children, who were better off, are now attending school in a low class neighborhood. Roberta’s opposition to the bussing system and Twyla’s support for it, also makes the reader second guess the race of both women. This conflict between the two women, takes us back to a time where racism split the feminist movement during the 70s and 80s. If Roberta is indeed black, during this time, most people would think she would in fact be the white character and Twyla the black character. Twyla doesn’t seem like she is racist, which
During the course of the narrative Twyla describes her on and off again relationship with Roberta. The girls first meet during their short stay at St. Bonnie’s, which was an orphanage, they both were 8 years old. Neither of the girls were real orphans, and because of this they were …show more content…
With a name like Twyla most people would assume her to be black. From the story we know Twyla’s mother “danced all night long” (Morrison p. 131). She could arguably be a stripper, which is more of an occupation of a black woman. However, we could also argue that her mother could be white, which would be a possible occupation for a low class white woman. I believe Twyla to be white. These stereotypes are prevalent throughout the entire story, making it harder on the reader to determine the true racial identities of the girls. With Roberta, she is assumed to be black. Another possible clue given to us by Morrison, could be the fact that her last name is Fisk, which happens to be the name of a black university. Although we not able decide on the racial identities by their names, Morrison has left us other cultural …show more content…
They meet at the new food emporium that was built to accommodate the new IBM employees that lived in Annandale. Twyla is now married to a fireman and has one son. She decided to go to the new store to check it out, even though they live on a small budget. Roberta is also married to a widower who has four children, and works for IBM. They even have a Chinese chauffer. Twyla makes a seemingly racist comment saying, “Everything is so easy for them. They think they own the world” (p. 139). This seems like an out of place statement, especially is Roberta is black. Considering this is when America was finally being integrated. Not long after they find themselves on the opposite sides of the school integration struggle where both of their children were faced with, the new bussing system. Twyla’s son is now attending a better school and Roberta’s children, who were better off, are now attending school in a low class neighborhood. Roberta’s opposition to the bussing system and Twyla’s support for it, also makes the reader second guess the race of both women. This conflict between the two women, takes us back to a time where racism split the feminist movement during the 70s and 80s. If Roberta is indeed black, during this time, most people would think she would in fact be the white character and Twyla the black character. Twyla doesn’t seem like she is racist, which