Racial Identity in Toni Morrisons Recitatif

Racial Identity in Toni Morrison's "Recitatif"

Paragraph 1: Historical Context of the Story
So, let's talk about the setting of "Recitatif" for a minute. It's during the Civil Rights era, right? A time when everything seemed up in the air with protests and big changes happening all around. This backdrop really shapes how Twyla and Roberta see and experience race. For instance, remember that scene outside the school with the protest? It's a real eye-opener about the racial tensions they live with every day. Morrison doesn't shy away from showing us how much race influences their lives, does she? It kinda makes you stop and think about how society molds our views on race too. The story uses this historical backdrop as a lens, making us rethink our own biases about race.

Paragraph 2: Personal Experiences of the Characters
Now, onto Twyla and Roberta's personal journeys. Their experiences give us a peek into just how tricky racial identity can be. They each deal with it differently, showcasing how diverse these experiences are. Take Twyla’s memories of her mom saying stuff about "them," or Roberta’s mom’s run-in with a "big, big black woman." These moments highlight deep-rooted prejudices that color their understanding of race. Plus, remember their confusion over Maggie’s race? That shows just how subjective these perceptions are. Morrison cleverly makes us see that racial identity is personal and complex, pushing us to look past simple labels and stereotypes. By diving into what Twyla and Roberta go through, we're reminded of just how varied racial identities can be.

Paragraph 3: Morrison’s Use of Language and Symbolism
Let’s not forget Morrison's use of language and symbolism — it adds another layer to this puzzle of racial identity. She keeps things vague about the characters’ races on purpose. Why do you think she does that? Maybe it's to make us question our assumptions based on appearance alone. Think about those descriptions like the "big, big woman" or Maggie’s looks; they’re more than just physical details—they’re loaded with meaning. Through her words and symbols, Morrison nudges us to see beyond skin-deep differences to understand the deeper complexities of race.
To wrap it up, “Recitatif” isn’t just a story; it’s a challenge—a push to confront our biases head-on. With its Civil Rights backdrop, character insights, and clever language use, it pushes readers like us to ponder what racial identity truly means.

References

• Morrison, T. (1983). Recitatif. In Confirmation: An Anthology of African American Women. Amistad Press.
• Davis, C.B., & Gates Jr., H.L. (1985). The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of African-American Literary Criticism. Oxford University Press.
• Bouson, J.B., & Brada-Williams N., Eds. (2010). Toni Morrison: Memory and Meaning. University Press of Mississippi.
• Furman, J.P., Ed. (1996). Toni Morrison's Fiction: Contemporary Criticism. Garland Publishing Inc.