In Toni Morrison's “Recitatif”, race and the ambiguity elements that surround it, keeps the reader guessing who’s black and who’s white. The constant stereotype diction brings the reader from one judgment to another. The story of two girls, Twyla and Roberta, who grew up in a state home for children, and their encounters through different times in their lives. The author has the reader consistently analyzing and try to determine their race based on stereotypical statements. In an example, Morrison writes, “they never wash their hair and the smell funny”, in which leads the reader to interpret that one girl is black or white based on the readers’ natural experiences, thoughts, and feelings (210). Toni Morrison's ambiguous word choice in 'Recitatif" …show more content…
is intended to open the reader's mind to prejudices and stereotypes of racial identity by omitting which characters are Black and which characters are White. While we read this interesting short story, we continuously run into questions we ask ourselves, unsure of the identity of the characters race.
In the second paragraph of the short story, we can already conclude that race is a factor. The story is told from first person account and Twyla says, “The minute I walked in and the Big Bozo introduced us, I got sick to my stomach. It was one thing to be taken out of your own bed early in the morning---it was something else to be stuck in a strange place with a girl from a whole other race” (210). Here we already start thinking race is going to play a part in this short story. She continues in the second paragraph by saying, “And Mary, that’s my mother, she was right. Every now and then she would stop dancing long enough to tell me something important and one of the things she said was that they never washed their hair and they smelled funny” (210). We know that the story takes place in 60’s-70’s, where racism was everywhere. But we still do not know if Twyla is White or Black from that statement. We do know, however, that one character is white and one is black because Twyla says “we looked like salt and pepper” (210). Trying to identify whose race is who’s becomes more difficult as the author continuous to prompt clues but these clues can have us judging either
way. Nevertheless, the stereotype of African Americans not being able to read leads us to believe that Roberta is black because Twyla states that “she couldn’t read at all” (210). Here we are lead to believe this because we can connect this statement with the earlier one of “my mother wouldn’t like you putting me in here” (210). It brings your attention to the fact that a white mother wouldn’t want her white child to be put in the same room with a black child. When the mothers of the two girls meet, there is tension coming from one of them. This again will lead you to believe that Roberta is white because her mother refused to extend a handshake to Twyla’s mother. Roberta’s mother also had a big cross hanging from her neck but that doesn’t define her race. As David Goldstein -Shirley says, “despite harboring maternally-taught prejudices against Roberta’s race”, it’s interesting to think about now how Roberta can be white because, naturally, you would think the white mother would be the one to feed her child prejudice ideas, not Twyla’s. We still do not know whose race is whose. Furthermore, we arrive at the part of the story when Twyla is working as a waitress at Howard Johnson’s. While working, Twyla recognizes Roberta with two other men sitting at a table. Meanwhile, Twyla and Roberta haven’t seen each other in 12 years. After her shift, Twyla approaches Roberta to say hi and reconnect. They greet each other and Roberta says “we’re on our way to the coast. He’s got an appointment with Hendrix” (215). Twyla responds by saying “Hendrix? Fantastic. Really fantastic. What’s she doing now? (215). Roberta choked and responds angerly, “Hendrix. Jimi Hendrix, asshole. He’s only the biggest” (215). Here we again think that Roberta is White because Jimi Hendrix had a big white fan base. As David Goldstein-Shirley says “Twyla’s description of Roberta has to be a racial/historical giveaway: “Her hair was so big I could hardly see her face” and she had on “earring the size of bracelets” (10). Furthermore, when we continue reading and find that Twyla got married to a man named James and his family is a “big loud family” (215). Big loud families usually associate with being black. Roberta and Twyla meet each other again here at a supermarket. They reconnect at the checkout line and Twyla notices that Roberta was “dressed to kill”, “diamonds on her hand” and is wearing a “white summer dress” (216). They had agreed to talk to each other outside in the parking lot. When Twyla goes outside she sees that Roberta is walking to a “dark blue limousine” and asks Roberta if she was “married to a Chinaman” (217). This leads you to believe that Roberta is white from the wealthy aspect of it and also that is would be uncommon for a black woman to marry a Chinese man. In society during those days is not that there weren’t wealthy black people, but most of the time when you see a limousine, you thought rich white. Roberta also states that her name is now “Mrs. Kenneth Norton”, but we cannot determine her race from that name (217). Moving along the story we come to a part where Twyla and Roberta are going through a time when their children are being forced to transfer schools. Twyla was concerned because at first, she didn’t think it was so bad that her child was being transferred to a different school on “Hudson Street” until she drove past and Roberta with other protesters holding a sign “MOTHERS HAVE RIGHTS TOO” (219)! This once again leads you to believe that Roberta is white but your still not sure and the author once again has you thinking that it could very well be a black mother holding that sign. During a brief conversation, Roberta says “Well, it’s a free country” and Twyla responds by saying “not yet, but it will be” (219). This again leads you to believe that Twyla is black because her race has been oppressed and never felt like they lived in a free country. The protesters then started surrounding Twyla’s car and you can envision them to be white because of the racial tension and anger from those times. But then again who’s to say that those are all black women who are angry that their children are being forced to move out to a school in a different neighborhood. One big statement by Twyla also leads to believe she is white. She says, “and what am I, swiss cheese” (220). Swiss cheese is white and this is a strong clue the author leaves for you to think Twyla is white. Roberta also has a strong statement, she says “you kicked a poor black lady and you have the nerve to call me a bigot” (220). Bigots were primarily associated with white people, so her once again you are lead to believe that Roberta is white. Throughout the story, the characters are being lead to believe one thing and then another. Toni Morrison is very creative in this aspect because there are many times since the beginning of the story until now that the characters could have been black or white from the ambiguous clues in her writing. Nonetheless, Twyla is still pondering if Maggie was indeed black because all she could remember was that she wasn’t, and also the fact that Roberta claims that Twyla was one of the girls who kicked her down. Nowhere in the story does this happen, only from what Roberta claims Twyla did. Twyla makes a reference to her mother by saying “Maggie was my dancing mother” (221). Now we are really trying to figure is Twyla is black or white because she can be either or. Towards the end of the story, they meet once again on Christmas Eve. Twyla finds Roberta a bit drunk and Roberta has been wanting to say something to Twyla since the last time they spoke. Roberta wants to tell Twyla that she really thought Maggie was black but now she doesn’t remember. She also recounted her accusing Twyla of kicking Maggie. The author here has flipped the script on the reader and from Maggie being black or white to Roberta accusing Twyla of being the bigot to Twyla saying Maggie was her dancing mother, we do not know who is black or white. Toni Morrison’s creative way of hinting at stereotypes and switching them on the characters continues to leave the reader pondering from the beginning to the end on who is black and who is white. “She looked so beautiful even in those ugly green slacks that made her behind stick out” was a statement by Twyla describing her mother (213). Larger “behinds” is a stereotype associated with black women but can also be a large white woman with a big bottom. There are numerous references to racial identity in the short story that kept switching on the characters or that could belong to both people of white or black descent. These clues the author leaves forces you to really see and judge for yourself off your natural prejudices. As you read you will say to yourself, “oh, she must be black” or “she must be black”, but as you read further, you think that it may not be so simple to staple a race on Twyla or Roberta. Even as you reread the short story you ponder more and that was the intention of the author to have you think and feel who is white or black based on the stereotypes surrounding the characters and their presumed race. Toni Morrison’s “Recitatif” is a great read and a short story that questions do we know which character is black and who is white? I don’t think so.
When Twyla and Roberta first meet, there is already a racial divide. This is made evident by their different ethnicities and Twyla’s skepticism brought on by her mother’s comment about their hair “smelling funny (Morrison 31).” Although this misconception might not have directly influenced their friendship, it is stated that Twyla and Roberta did not get along in the beginning and Twyla even comments that her mom would not like the set-up; it was not until they
The main aspect of this story is how race should not be someone’s entire identity, and that there are other parts of people that create who they are. Personality has nothing to do with whether someone is black or white, and throughout the story the reader catches themselves making these assumptions and feeding in to these stereotypes. Both Roberta and Twyla find difficulties in determining whether or not Maggie was black or white, and their memories seem to be unreliable. Roberta remembers Maggie being black while Twyla
Humans are born, but people are made. Entering the world with minds shapeless and pure, the world is the sculptor that perverts the conscience and hardens the heart. Toni Morrison’s “Recitatif” deals with just that—who we are and who we are told to be. Though the actual races of the two main characters, Twyla and Roberta, are left completely unknown, they are all but ignored. The story simmers with the wounds of stereotyping, racism, and socioeconomic divide. Morrison’s exclusion of Twyla and Roberta’s races brings forth the learned status of racism within the world of the story and the reality of the reader’s conscience.
In Toni Morrison’s “Recitatif” Twyla’s mother Marry had no problem expressing her sexuality because she was a stripper, who danced all night, she wore a fur jack and green slacks to a chapel to meet her daughter Twyla. Her clothing was inappropriate especially to Roberta’s mother who was symbolic of God. Roberta’...
“They never washed their hair and they smelled funny, Roberta sure did. Smell funny. Roberta could not read.” In the 1960’s African Americans were reviewed as people with poor hygiene and uneducated. When Twyla brings up those stereotypes to describe Roberta I immediately thought she was the African American. Twyla also said, “my mother would not like you putting me in here”, referring to the fact that Caucasian women did not like their daughters anywhere near an African-American, let alone living with one. Roberta is portrayed as a minority. The description of Roberta’s mother also leads readers to believe Roberta is African-American because in the text her mother is described as “bigger than a man, wearing a enormous cross and carrying a bible”. This description relates to a religious African-American women today, Whoopi
The difference of color is seen through the eyes, but the formulation of racial judgement and discrimination is developed in the subconscious mind. Toni Morrison’s short story “Recitatif (1983)” explores the racial difference and challenges that both Twyla and Roberta experience. Morrison’s novels such as “Beloved”, “The Bluest Eye”, and her short story “Recitatif” are all centered around the issues and hardships of racism. The first time that Twyla and Roberta met Twyla makes a racial remake or stereotype about the texture and smell of Roberta’s hair. Although they both were in the orphanage because of similar situations, Twyla instantly finds a racial difference. The racial differences between Twyla and Roberta affects their friendship, personal views of each other, and relationship with their husbands.
Those two events may seem like nothing but it shows how even at the early age of 8, children are taught to spot the differences in race instead of judging people by their character. Directing after this Twyla mentions how her and Roberta “looked like salt and pepper standing there and that’s what the other kids called us sometimes” (202). On the first page of this short story we already have 3 example of race dictating how the characters think and act. With the third one which mentions salt which is white and pepper which is black we understand that one girl is white and one girl is black. The brilliance of this story is that we never get a clear cut answer on which girl is which. Toni Morrison gives us clues and hints but never comes out and says it. This leaves it up to us to figure it out for ourselves. The next example of how race influences our characters is very telling. When Twyla’s mother and Roberta’s mother meeting we see not only race influencing the characters but, how the parents can pass it down to the next generation. This takes places when the mothers come to the orphanage for chapel and Twyla describes to the reader Roberta’s mother being “bigger than any man
In the story, “Recitatif,” Toni Morrison uses vague signs and traits to create Roberta and Twyla’s racial identity to show how the characters relationship is shaped by their racial difference. Morrison wants the reader’s to face their racial preconceptions and stereotypical assumptions. Racial identity in “Recitatif,” is most clear through the author’s use of traits that are linked to vague stereotypes, views on racial tension, intelligence, or ones physical appearance. Toni Morrison provides specific social and historical descriptions of the two girls to make readers question the way that stereotypes affect our understanding of a character. The uncertainties about racial identity of the characters causes the reader to become pre-occupied with assigning a race to a specific character based merely upon the associations and stereotypes that the reader creates based on the clues given by Morrison throughout the story. Morrison accomplishes this through the relationship between Twyla and Roberta, the role of Maggie, and questioning race and racial stereotypes of the characters. Throughout the story, Roberta and Twyla meet throughout five distinct moments that shapes their friendship by racial differences.
Stereotyping is when a person believes someone has a certain characteristic based on their race. Toni Morrison purposefully does not tell the readers the race of Twyla and Roberta in the story because she wants the reader to recognize how they stereotype others based on how she describes the girls. The only way we know the girls are not the same race is because Twyla says, “So for the moment it didn’t matter that we looked like salt and pepper standing there and that’s what the other kids called us sometimes,” (Morrison 239). Twyla and Roberta are friends in a time period where African Americans and white people were learning how to co-exist with each other so it was a step in the right direction for them to develop a friendship despite their differences. When Twyla first meets Roberta she stereotypes her and says, “And Mary, that’s my mother, she was right. Every now and then she would stop dancing long enough to tell me something important and one of the things she said was that they never washed their hair and they smelled funny,” (Morrison 239). Twyla knew nothing about Roberta when she made this comment but she judged her based on what her mother has told her about people of the opposite race. Twyla and Roberta were both young girls when they first met so the only thing they knew about race was what their mothers or other people told them and during this time period they was a lot of stereotyping and biased
In the story “Recitatif” author Toni Morrison, published in 1983, tells a story of two young girls, Twyla and Roberta, with two different ethnicities, who grow up in an orphanage together. Due to the fact that the story is narrated by Twyla, it seems natural for us the readers to associate with this touching story, as many of us have encounter racial discrimination back in the 1980s, making it clear that Morrison states the two girls grow up to always remember each based on the similarities and the childhood they both encounter together, come from different ethnic backgrounds, and as the story reveals, destiny is determined to bring the girls’ path together.
...omfort and care. The quality of her clothes threatened to derange Frieda and me.” page 63 (Toni Morrison). These sentences say a lot about what and how people perceive others. People are not only judging others by their race in this book but also social class.This connects to Geraldine, who believes a person’s skin tone defines then.Geraldine uses social class to separate black from colored. She calls people “colored” if they aren’t poor and are neat, quiet, sheltered and well-dressed.“Niggers were dirty and loud” page 87 (Toni Morrison).
Toni Morrison’s Recitatif is a short story that challenges readers understanding of racial stereotypes through two characters, Roberta and Twyla, of different races that are only alluded to through different stereotypes. The racial ambiguity of the kitchen woman from their childhood orphanage, Maggie, is the focus of the end of the short story as a conflict between the two characters not being able to remember her race. Maggie’s race is not the only cause for disagreement between the girls, it also sets up an important parallel between the characters in the story and the audience reading it. Maggie’s possible abuse is portrayed as being called childish names but it’s actually surrounded by a much more tragic, personal, and meaningful reasons
Mobley, Marilyn Sanders. “ Toni Morrison.” The Oxford Companion to African American Literature. Eds. William L. Andrews, Frances Smith, and Trudier Harris. New York: Oxford UP, 1997.508-510.
How important is it to be able live for yourself? In Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, the egotistical, self-involved Milkman Dead lives passively and without active response to what goes on around him. He lacks consideration for others and seems to live without a care about anything. However, one night’s event turns into a window that opens Milkman up into changing. Soon after, he begins to be active, responsive human with a passion. Morrison’s Song of Solomon illuminates, through a scene of conflict with Milkman, the importance of independence and individuality while expounding upon the themes of the necessity of identity.
The novel Sula by Toni Morrison exemplifies the new feminist literature described by Helene Cixous in "The Laugh of the Medusa" because of the final portrayal of the two main characters Nel and Sula. However, it is clear throughout the novel that both Cixous's and Gilbert and Gubar's descriptions of women characters are evident within this novel. The traditional submissive woman figure paradoxically is set against the new woman throughout the novel. It is unclear whether the reader should love or despise Sula for her independence until the very last scene. Although both the perspectives of Cixous and Gilbert/Gubar are evident within the text, ultimately it is the friendship of the two women that prevails and is deemed most important. This prevailing celebration of womanhood in all of its dualistic and mysterious aspects is exactly what Cixous pushes women writers to attempt.