New York Day Women Summary

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In “New York Day Women”, Edwidge Danticat implements the uses of setting, symbolism, and point of view to convey the theme of growing as a person. Edwidge Danticat was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 1969. She, along with her parents, immigrated to New York City. Keep in mind the setting of her birthplace as it plays a factor in the settings of the various stories she writes. The story is centered around a girl named Suzette, who is secretly keeping a watchful eye on her fifty nine year old mother, whilst she walks through New York City. As the mother progresses through the city, Suzette begins to recall the various lessons and mannerisms brought on by her. Such as “You are pretty enough to be a stewardess. Only dogs like bones.” and “In Haiti, when you get hit by a car, the owner of the car gets out and kicks you for getting blood on his bumper.” (New York Day Women, 1991). Which in turn, begins to shift her mindset on those less fortunate for the better. …show more content…

The setting takes place in downtown New York City during the early hours of the day. Public transit is mentioned as an example; as the narrator contemplates the thought of giving up her seat to a pregnant or elderly woman, it is revealed that she is leaning towards the idea of keeping her seat for herself. This, of course, further implies that she may not be as considerate as one should be. As she spies on her mother however, she slowly develops a more refined sense of consideration as she begins to relish the idea of giving up her seat on a bus to someone who may really need it out of

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