What Are The Stereotypes In The Women Of Brewster Place

Gloria Naylor’s The Women of Brewster Place explores the backgrounds of several different women whose decisions and experiences have all landed them in the dead end ghetto called Brewster Place. Mattie Michael, one of the most consistent figures in the novel, has been constantly let down by men all her life: her father, the father of her baby, and her son. Mattie’s character, role in the novel, and the different conflicts she faced helped her better connect with the other women of Brewster Place. Although Naylor stereotypes Mattie by describing her as a poor, single black mother who lives in run down apartments, she does not let these descriptions define Mattie. Mattie’s heart and deep rooted faith keep her looking at the positive aspects of life. For instance, when Basil’s lawyer was telling Mattie the consequences of missing the trial date, Mattie shrugged him off because she was convinced her son would appear in court. …show more content…
Mattie’s dialogue in the novel was very reassuring and she was always trying to give others advice, especially to Ciel. Eugene, Ciel’s husband, actually felt threatened by Mattie and the things she was telling Ciel and the baby because he knew he was not doing all he could as a husband to make the marriage work. Because of all the guidance she’s given to the other residents, they look at Mattie as the mother figure of Brewster Place as well as a support system. As explained earlier, Mattie Michael was the mother of Brewster Place. Some may say she acted too much like a mother to the point where she was overprotective, as seen with her son Basil. One might ask how differently the story may have turned out if Mattie did not take it upon herself to