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LAETITIA.
Laetitia is a good friend to Anjanee. She listens to her friend and cajoles her to talk when she does not want to do so. Based on these conversations, she knew the challenges that her friend was facing, so she allowed her to cheat from her Spanish paper and stayed after school to help her catch up. This trait highlights the theme of friendship. This is the case because Laetitia was willing to sacrifice her time to help her friend. She wanted her to reach her goal, which was having a successful scholastic career, which would then propel her into a successful life that was the opposite of the life of familial service that her mother led. Yes, it can be argued that Laetitia also gained something in helping her friend, she was able to be rebellious in the face of her father's controlling ways, but it does not overshadow the fact that she loves her friend and wants her to do well at school.
Laetitia is also family-oriented. This means that her focus is on her family, especially her extended family. She is preoccupied with doing well in school because she wants to make her family proud, especially her grandmother. She naively, according to her uncle, wants to live with her extended family, in the school year, because she feels supported and loved with them. She even 'mothered' her little brother, Michael, despite her discomfort in her father's dysfunctional nuclear family. These examples of Laetitia's trait as a family-oriented person highlights the theme of love and family relationship. This is the case because Laetitia tries to add positively to each of the family structures that she encounters. She works hard at excelling in school work to make her extended family feel proud and she (www.bulbsoup.com) makes an effort to get along with her stepmother and brother, in her father's nuclear family, because her grandmother would be very upset. She has been trained to be respectful and value family, so her actions keep the family whole. The only point at which she deviates from positive actions towards family members is in the case of her father. She actually becomes disruptive with her father, by doing the opposite of everything he says, and rebuffs his efforts to get to know him. He is the only family member that she rejects. However, despite his affiliation with Michael and Aunt Velma, she is respectful to them and treats them well, as expected by her grandmother.
Laetitia is a good friend to Anjanee. She listens to her friend and cajoles her to talk when she does not want to do so. Based on these conversations, she knew the challenges that her friend was facing, so she allowed her to cheat from her Spanish paper and stayed after school to help her catch up. This trait highlights the theme of friendship. This is the case because Laetitia was willing to sacrifice her time to help her friend. She wanted her to reach her goal, which was having a successful scholastic career, which would then propel her into a successful life that was the opposite of the life of familial service that her mother led. Yes, it can be argued that Laetitia also gained something in helping her friend, she was able to be rebellious in the face of her father's controlling ways, but it does not overshadow the fact that she loves her friend and wants her to do well at school.
Laetitia is also family-oriented. This means that her focus is on her family, especially her extended family. She is preoccupied with doing well in school because she wants to make her family proud, especially her grandmother. She naively, according to her uncle, wants to live with her extended family, in the school year, because she feels supported and loved with them. She even 'mothered' her little brother, Michael, despite her discomfort in her father's dysfunctional nuclear family. These examples of Laetitia's trait as a family-oriented person highlights the theme of love and family relationship. This is the case because Laetitia tries to add positively to each of the family structures that she encounters. She works hard at excelling in school work to make her extended family feel proud and she (www.bulbsoup.com) makes an effort to get along with her stepmother and brother, in her father's nuclear family, because her grandmother would be very upset. She has been trained to be respectful and value family, so her actions keep the family whole. The only point at which she deviates from positive actions towards family members is in the case of her father. She actually becomes disruptive with her father, by doing the opposite of everything he says, and rebuffs his efforts to get to know him. He is the only family member that she rejects. However, despite his affiliation with Michael and Aunt Velma, she is respectful to them and treats them well, as expected by her grandmother.
ANJANEE JUGMOHANSINGH.
Anjanee is a courageous young lady, whose circumstances crushed her. She is courageous because, despite the many challenges that she faced throughout the two school terms, she consistently tried to attend school and get her work done. Anjanee had no financial support because her brothers did not purchase her books and she had to sell, with her mother, to get bus fare. The result of this stressful situation was that Anjanee was always tired, which rendered her non-functional at school, and she eventually (www.bulbsoup.com) got sick. Despite all these challenges, Anjanee still persevered and tried to attend school and do her assignments and tests. Her designation as courageous, however, is overshadowed by the fact that she committed suicide. The theme of dysfunctional family relationships is highlighted because her suicide was a direct result of an unsupportive family. The reader is aware that it could have been different, because of the juxtaposition of Laetitia's extended family. They supported Laetitia and we see the positive results of this. Her suicide, though an important factor, cannot demolish her characterization as courageous because she did show courage before she eventually gave in to the stress of her situation.
Anjanee is a courageous young lady, whose circumstances crushed her. She is courageous because, despite the many challenges that she faced throughout the two school terms, she consistently tried to attend school and get her work done. Anjanee had no financial support because her brothers did not purchase her books and she had to sell, with her mother, to get bus fare. The result of this stressful situation was that Anjanee was always tired, which rendered her non-functional at school, and she eventually (www.bulbsoup.com) got sick. Despite all these challenges, Anjanee still persevered and tried to attend school and do her assignments and tests. Her designation as courageous, however, is overshadowed by the fact that she committed suicide. The theme of dysfunctional family relationships is highlighted because her suicide was a direct result of an unsupportive family. The reader is aware that it could have been different, because of the juxtaposition of Laetitia's extended family. They supported Laetitia and we see the positive results of this. Her suicide, though an important factor, cannot demolish her characterization as courageous because she did show courage before she eventually gave in to the stress of her situation.
ORVILLE CEPHAS.
Laetitia's father is very controlling. The reader observes this when he exerts control over his wife and he tries to control Laetitia. His wife is like a servant in that she literally lives to serve him - they cannot eat before he comes home and she speaks in whispers when he is asleep - by spending her waking hours waiting for him to come home. She does not appear to have a life outside of him and he is fine with that. In terms of Laetitia, he tries to literally control her movements, in an attempt to initiate a relationship with her. He stopped providing her with bus fare, which prevented her from going home on the weekends and forced her to interact with him and his family. He went as far as to start going home early, some Fridays, to ensure that Laetitia stayed home. The only person that he does not actively try to control is his son, Michael, who seems to be a project that he takes on sporadically, spending time with him by 'taking him up' with his reading, which often ends disastrously for Michael. The only point at which he tries to actively direct, or shape, Michael, is when he gives him permission to disobey his mother when next she asks him to wash the dishes. This trait, in Orville, highlights the theme of dysfunctional family relationships. This is the case because the trait highlights the dysfunction that permeates this nuclear family. His need to control the women in his family is the root of the dysfunction. It can be argued that his control of Laetitia is rooted in a desire to get to know this bright little girl that he appears to be so very proud of. The problem, however, is the method that he employs to do so. He even tries to dictate who she forms friendships with, by ordering her to stop associating with Anjanee.
Orville is also prideful. His prideful nature is seen in how he curses after he is spoken to about responsibility towards his daughter by Ma and her husband. The pride stems from his inability, or lack of desire, to admit when he has done something wrong. Laetitia's extended family, and Laetitia herself, view him as an absentee father, who is just, at this late stage, living up to his responsibilities to his daughter. If he saw things as they did, he would not react by cursing, but by acknowledging the error (www.bulbsoup.com) of his ways and trying to move forward, with his daughter and her extended family, in a transparent manner. What he does, instead, is view the people who have borne his responsibility, by taking care of his child, as less than him, then tolerating their concerned lectures. This is the epitome of pride. He then takes things that much further by having the audacity to lecture Laetitia about ungratefulness and respect. His pride does not allow him to see that he has no right to lecture his child, whom he has known and supported financially for one school term, about anything. While he has the authority that society has given him through the title of father, he does not have enough lived experience with her to claim the rights. There is simply not enough trust in their relationship. This trait highlights the theme of love and family relationships because the reader sees a clear juxtaposition between Laetitia's experience with her extended family versus her nuclear family. Her extended family has taken care of her all her life, so there is trust and love in that relationship. This is contrasted with her father's nuclear family, where she is a virtual stranger in the house, initially, and, despite Miss Velma's weak attempts at making her feel comfortable, she never actually feels comfortable in her father's house. Trust and love never develop in this setting.
Laetitia's father is very controlling. The reader observes this when he exerts control over his wife and he tries to control Laetitia. His wife is like a servant in that she literally lives to serve him - they cannot eat before he comes home and she speaks in whispers when he is asleep - by spending her waking hours waiting for him to come home. She does not appear to have a life outside of him and he is fine with that. In terms of Laetitia, he tries to literally control her movements, in an attempt to initiate a relationship with her. He stopped providing her with bus fare, which prevented her from going home on the weekends and forced her to interact with him and his family. He went as far as to start going home early, some Fridays, to ensure that Laetitia stayed home. The only person that he does not actively try to control is his son, Michael, who seems to be a project that he takes on sporadically, spending time with him by 'taking him up' with his reading, which often ends disastrously for Michael. The only point at which he tries to actively direct, or shape, Michael, is when he gives him permission to disobey his mother when next she asks him to wash the dishes. This trait, in Orville, highlights the theme of dysfunctional family relationships. This is the case because the trait highlights the dysfunction that permeates this nuclear family. His need to control the women in his family is the root of the dysfunction. It can be argued that his control of Laetitia is rooted in a desire to get to know this bright little girl that he appears to be so very proud of. The problem, however, is the method that he employs to do so. He even tries to dictate who she forms friendships with, by ordering her to stop associating with Anjanee.
Orville is also prideful. His prideful nature is seen in how he curses after he is spoken to about responsibility towards his daughter by Ma and her husband. The pride stems from his inability, or lack of desire, to admit when he has done something wrong. Laetitia's extended family, and Laetitia herself, view him as an absentee father, who is just, at this late stage, living up to his responsibilities to his daughter. If he saw things as they did, he would not react by cursing, but by acknowledging the error (www.bulbsoup.com) of his ways and trying to move forward, with his daughter and her extended family, in a transparent manner. What he does, instead, is view the people who have borne his responsibility, by taking care of his child, as less than him, then tolerating their concerned lectures. This is the epitome of pride. He then takes things that much further by having the audacity to lecture Laetitia about ungratefulness and respect. His pride does not allow him to see that he has no right to lecture his child, whom he has known and supported financially for one school term, about anything. While he has the authority that society has given him through the title of father, he does not have enough lived experience with her to claim the rights. There is simply not enough trust in their relationship. This trait highlights the theme of love and family relationships because the reader sees a clear juxtaposition between Laetitia's experience with her extended family versus her nuclear family. Her extended family has taken care of her all her life, so there is trust and love in that relationship. This is contrasted with her father's nuclear family, where she is a virtual stranger in the house, initially, and, despite Miss Velma's weak attempts at making her feel comfortable, she never actually feels comfortable in her father's house. Trust and love never develop in this setting.
MISS VELMA.
Miss Velma
Though a minor character, Miss Velma is important because she, through her trait of being meek, highlights the theme of the treatment of women in society. Her meekness is shown in her behaviour towards, and treatment of, her husband. We see her literally tip-toeing around the house on a Sunday, when Orville is asleep, and depriving herself of hearing her program, on the radio, because it is turned down so low that she cannot hear it, all to accommodate her husband. The most interesting act of meekness that occurs is that no one can eat, on a Sunday, unless Orville is at the table. This compromising spirit highlights the theme of the treatment of women in society because the reader is exposed to what is expected of the women in the Cephas household, which is a mirror of society's wider (www.bulbsoup.com) expectations. Miss Velma was taken out of secondary school so that her brother could attend, which mirrors Anjanee's situation, where she has no financial or emotional support from her family because they believe that she should stay home and help her mother. These households represent sections of ty that view women as second-class citizens.
Miss Velma
Though a minor character, Miss Velma is important because she, through her trait of being meek, highlights the theme of the treatment of women in society. Her meekness is shown in her behaviour towards, and treatment of, her husband. We see her literally tip-toeing around the house on a Sunday, when Orville is asleep, and depriving herself of hearing her program, on the radio, because it is turned down so low that she cannot hear it, all to accommodate her husband. The most interesting act of meekness that occurs is that no one can eat, on a Sunday, unless Orville is at the table. This compromising spirit highlights the theme of the treatment of women in society because the reader is exposed to what is expected of the women in the Cephas household, which is a mirror of society's wider (www.bulbsoup.com) expectations. Miss Velma was taken out of secondary school so that her brother could attend, which mirrors Anjanee's situation, where she has no financial or emotional support from her family because they believe that she should stay home and help her mother. These households represent sections of ty that view women as second-class citizens.
MA ZELLINE.
Ma ZelLine is Ma's best friend and independent spirit who does not conform to society's expectations of women. She was never married, childless, and chose to live alone in her 'batchie'. An example of this independent spirit comes from her own mouth 'But who say just because you name Woman you must mind child? Not Zelline!' (Hodge, 100). This independent spirit highlights the theme of the treatment of women in society. This is the case because Ma Zelline (www.bulbsoup.com) is treated badly for her unorthodox choices. Laetitia tells the story of how once, in the heat of a quarrel, another woman had taunted Ma Zelline about not having children by calling her a mule. Ma Zelline's response was to kick the woman, backward, like a mule, while stating 'Yes. Look the mule!' (Hodge, 100). This example highlights that Ma Zelline was a strong, independent woman who lived her life on her terms. She suffered for this choice, as seen in the example, but she was her own person despite how she was treated.
Ma ZelLine is Ma's best friend and independent spirit who does not conform to society's expectations of women. She was never married, childless, and chose to live alone in her 'batchie'. An example of this independent spirit comes from her own mouth 'But who say just because you name Woman you must mind child? Not Zelline!' (Hodge, 100). This independent spirit highlights the theme of the treatment of women in society. This is the case because Ma Zelline (www.bulbsoup.com) is treated badly for her unorthodox choices. Laetitia tells the story of how once, in the heat of a quarrel, another woman had taunted Ma Zelline about not having children by calling her a mule. Ma Zelline's response was to kick the woman, backward, like a mule, while stating 'Yes. Look the mule!' (Hodge, 100). This example highlights that Ma Zelline was a strong, independent woman who lived her life on her terms. She suffered for this choice, as seen in the example, but she was her own person despite how she was treated.
MA + PAPY + MAMMY PATSY + UNCLE LEROY.
These four characters represent the household that formed Laetitia. Each of these characters is loving and shows their care for Laetitia both collectively and in their own ways. The first evidence of their loving nature is seen in the fact that they all worked together, and made decisions together, to ensure that Laetitia had good life chances. The reader learns that they all took a vote on whether or not Laetitia should live with her father in the school term. They voted that she should go because she would get the financial support from her father that she needed if she were in his space. Their decision was the best one for her because when we, as readers, compare her life to Anjanee's, it was a wise choice. She did not have to endure a long commute and suffer the tiredness that was the inevitable result of this, and she had access to stable financial support in her father's house. The best and most loving decision that was made, on Laetitia's behalf, is when it was decided that she would leave her father's home after her emotional breakdown.
These characters also show their love for Laetitia individually as well. Ma takes her to the school for registration and ensures that she has Ma Zelline to turn to if there are any issues in her father's home. Papy shows (www.bulbsoup.com) support by aligning himself with whatever decision Ma makes because he believes that she has Laetitia's best interest at heart. Mammy Patsy works hard in America, disregarding her own needs, to ensure that she can support Laetitia financially and Uncle Leroy spends time with her, checking on her garden and ensuring that some of what she reaps reaches her father's household. All these examples highlight the theme of love and family relationships. All the decisions and actions of these four individuals are based on the desire to produce a physically and mentally healthy individual, this is love.
These four characters represent the household that formed Laetitia. Each of these characters is loving and shows their care for Laetitia both collectively and in their own ways. The first evidence of their loving nature is seen in the fact that they all worked together, and made decisions together, to ensure that Laetitia had good life chances. The reader learns that they all took a vote on whether or not Laetitia should live with her father in the school term. They voted that she should go because she would get the financial support from her father that she needed if she were in his space. Their decision was the best one for her because when we, as readers, compare her life to Anjanee's, it was a wise choice. She did not have to endure a long commute and suffer the tiredness that was the inevitable result of this, and she had access to stable financial support in her father's house. The best and most loving decision that was made, on Laetitia's behalf, is when it was decided that she would leave her father's home after her emotional breakdown.
These characters also show their love for Laetitia individually as well. Ma takes her to the school for registration and ensures that she has Ma Zelline to turn to if there are any issues in her father's home. Papy shows (www.bulbsoup.com) support by aligning himself with whatever decision Ma makes because he believes that she has Laetitia's best interest at heart. Mammy Patsy works hard in America, disregarding her own needs, to ensure that she can support Laetitia financially and Uncle Leroy spends time with her, checking on her garden and ensuring that some of what she reaps reaches her father's household. All these examples highlight the theme of love and family relationships. All the decisions and actions of these four individuals are based on the desire to produce a physically and mentally healthy individual, this is love.
Contributor: Leisa Samuels-Thomas
