In the short story “Recitatif”, Toni Morrison introduces her readers to the societal evolution of the United States through the experiences of two characters, Twyla and Roberta. The relationship between both characters changes through five encounters, each encounter corresponding to a different time period. As Twyla and Roberta are from different races, these time periods are significant as they relate to the Civil Rights Movement in America. The juxtaposition of Twyla and Roberta, the comparison of Mary and Maggie, and the intertextuality between “Recitatif” and “The Wizard of Oz”, all contribute to the author’s stance against racism. Toni Morrison wants people to disregard their racial barriers and acknowledge each other as human beings, as all humans go through the same struggles and pain in life.
Morrison uses juxtaposition to pinpoint the concrete differences between Twyla and Roberta. Twyla is “stuck in a strange place with a girl from a whole different race” (Morrison 243). This clear contrast between Twyla and Roberta clearly signifies the initial hostility that Twyla has against Roberta, due to her being different from Twyla. But as time progresses, Twyla and Roberta eventually become friends as they are the only non-orphans in the shelter. When they are together, other kids in the shelter tease Roberta and Twyla by saying that they look “like salt and pepper” (244). Salt and pepper are a definite difference between Twyla and Roberta. Though they are different in a physical level, they both complement each other “like salt and pepper” and work together to perfect their recipe or relationship. If blacks and whites were to be together in harmony, they will perfect society as a whole by adding their combinations of ingredi...
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...ptance of people from different races. Like every human beings, the big girls are victims of society. Toni Morrison uses these elements to show that accepting each other’s differences and pain enlightens people towards a new path of understanding.
With the contrast between Twyla and Roberta, the comparison of Mary and Maggie, and the allusion to “The Wizard of Oz”, Toni Morrison puts together an effective short story against racism and prejudice. People must transcend their racial barriers in order to see each other as a human being as they all go through the same experiences of life. Acknowledging each other’s strengths and weaknesses is the key that will open the door for a prosperous future.
Works Cited
Morrison, Toni. “Recitatif”. Conformation, an Anthology of African American Women. By Imamu Amiri Baraka and Amina Baraka. New York: Morrow. 1983. 243-61.
In “Recitatif,” by Toni Morrison, racial divides are implemented throughout the story due to circumstance and place. The setting or other characters involved in the story or the actions they take often closely relate to how the two girls feel towards one another. Throughout their lives, Twyla and Roberta vary on whether or not they should be friends with one another due to racial divides, although it is not ever explicitly stated.
Davis, Cynthia A. "Self, Society, and Myth in Toni Morrison's Fiction." Contemporary Literature 23.3 (1982)
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.
Women during this Jazz era were freer about their sexuality, but due to this freeness, an article called “Negro Womanhood’s Greatest Need” criticized the sexuality of Black women. In this article, the writers criticized Black women of the Jazz era; one part stated “.“speed and disgust” of the Jazz Age which created women “less discreet and less cautious than their sisters in the years gone by”. These “new” women, she continued, rebelling against the laws of God and man” (p.368). Women expressing their sexuality is not only an act against God, but also against men. 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.
This brings us to the Toni Morrison short story “Recitatif”. This short story encourages an African American or ethnically minded style of understanding. The driving force for the thoughts and actions of both Twyla, Roberta, and the other characters is race and race relations. 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.
Her life seems like it has been so long when in reality it has only been a short twenty-three years. The book ends with Annie on a bus with other, young protesters singing. "We shall overcome, We shall overcome, We shall overcome some day. I WONDER. I really WONDER." (Moody, 1968, p. 424). While Annie is still determined to close the racial gap, she ponders whether or not if blacks really will overcome racism. I believe the youth and enthusiasm of the other passengers represent the hope for the future, that one day they will overcome.
In "Recitatif" and "The Artificial Nigger" a mother and a grandfather, respectively, with too much responsibility seek to alter the lives of two children for the worst. Roberta Fisk and Nelson Head receive introductions to the concept of racism from people with a great deal of control over their lives. Morrison's piece illustrates the part of racism involving feelings of contempt. When Roberta introduces her mother to her roommate Twyla and Twyla's mother, "Roberta's mother [looks] down at [Twyla] and then [looks] down at Mary too. She [doesn't] say anything, just [grabs] Roberta with her Bible-free hand and [steps] out of line, walking quickly to the rear of it" (213). Through her rudeness, Roberta's mother essentially tells her that people like Twyla and Mary lack value and stand beneath them. The idea of superior feelings stems from Morrison pointing out the fact that Roberta's mother looks down at Twyla and Mary after previously acknowledging her significant height. In a more blatant manner, Mr. Head takes Nelson to the city of Atlanta with the primary intention of turning him against black people. To prepare Nelson for " the moral mission of the coming day" (250), Mr. Head tells Nelson that "[he] may not like [the city] a bit" because "it'll be full of niggers" (252). While Nelson apparently r...
The author distinguishes white people as privileged and respectful compare to mulattos and blacks. In the racial society, white people have the right to get any high-class position in job or live any places. In the story, all white characters are noble such as Judge Straight lawyer, Doctor Green, business-man George, and former slaveholder Mrs. Tryon. Moreover, the author also states the racial distinction of whites on mulattos. For example, when Dr. Green talks to Tryon, “‘The niggers,’…, ‘are getting mighty trifling since they’ve been freed. Before the war, that boy would have been around there and back before you could say Jack Robinson; now, the lazy rascal takes his time just like a white man.’ ” (73) Additionally, in the old society, most white people often disdained and looked down on mulattos. Even though there were some whites respected colored people friendly, there were no way for colored people to stand parallel with whites’ high class positions. The story has demonstrations that Judge Straight accepted John as his assistant, Mrs. Tryon honor interviewed Rena, and George finally changed and decided to marry Rena; however, the discrimination is inevitable. For example, when Mrs. Tryon heard Rena was colored, she was disappointed. “The lady, who had been studying her as closely as good manners would permit, sighed regretfully.” (161) There, Mrs. Tryon might have a good plan for Rena, but the racial society would not accept; since Rena was a mulatto, Mrs. Tryon could not do anything to help Rena in white social life. The racial circumstance does not only apply on mulattos, but it also expresses the suffering of black people.
Eudora Welty establishes “The Worn Path” in the midst of the twentieth century – in an era where African Americans were not considered as equal to white Americans. Welty tells the story of Phoenix Jackson, an elderly African-American woman, who makes a lengthy voyage into town to get medication for her chronically ill grandson. For most people the journey from the countryside to a town in a city, would not be very difficult. However, the fact that old infirm Phoenix is faced with hindrances and some racist attitudes of people she encounters along the journey; she endeavors onward despite frequent hindrances in her path that include her own deteriorating health and the grandchild’s slim chance of subsistence.
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.
...al stereotypes to allow the readers to make their own assumptions based on their personal thoughts and beliefs. Many of the stereotypes that Morrison chose to use portray more of a socioeconomic class and not discriminating by race. As the setting or environment changed, it will be seen as a symbol of transformation of both Roberta and Twyla friendship. Each circumstance that they went through was distinctive. It tested the strength of their relationship with one another and exemplified their struggles they were facing in society. They had to adjust their beliefs to match the changing phases in the United States as many blacks and whites today still face problems in society about racial stereotypes and segregation. Toni Morrison portrayed racial identity not by black and white, but as irrelevant to relationships but rather by means of distinguishing between people.
Claudia Rankine analyzes racism to its core, bringing to surface that miniscule events are just as problematic as televised ones. Her words are beautifully brutal, striking up emotions for anyone that reads it. As readers, we are taken through a journey from past to present events of racial incidents experienced by different genders and ages. Above all, Rankine provides a strong indication that racism is far from over.
“Toni Morrison.” American Women Writers. Taryn Benbow - Pfalzgrat. 2nd ed. of the book.
...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).
... It should be understood that Morrison's novel is filled with many characters and many examples of racism and sexism and the foundations for such beliefs in the black community. Every character is the victim or aggressor of racism or sexism in all its forms. Morrison succeeds in shedding light on the racism and sexism the black community had to endure on top of racism and sexism outside of the community. She shows that racism and sexism affect everyone's preconceived notions regarding race and gender and how powerful and prevalent the notions are.