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FLASHBACK.
Chapters two and three comprise a flashback to when Laetitia is invited to live with her father and his family. It functions as a means of plot development because the reader now understands (www.bulbsoup.com) the dynamics of Laetitia's family. The theme of love and family relationship is highlighted by this flashback due to the dynamics, in Laetitia's extended family, that is revealed. They are a very tight-knit family that respect and love each other. This is highlighted by the fact that everyone votes on Laetitia's future. No one person's opinion is more valid than another in this family. The love and respect among them is clearly seen.
Chapters two and three comprise a flashback to when Laetitia is invited to live with her father and his family. It functions as a means of plot development because the reader now understands (www.bulbsoup.com) the dynamics of Laetitia's family. The theme of love and family relationship is highlighted by this flashback due to the dynamics, in Laetitia's extended family, that is revealed. They are a very tight-knit family that respect and love each other. This is highlighted by the fact that everyone votes on Laetitia's future. No one person's opinion is more valid than another in this family. The love and respect among them is clearly seen.
FORESHADOWING.
1. Mrs. Lopez' scorn of Laetitia, and Ma, is evident in her tone, which was very harsh and unprofessional, and her diction. She used words such as 'you people' (Hodge, 16) and even sucked her teeth at Ma, all because Laetitia did not have her father's last name or his address. If she could behave so appallingly with a parent, then it certainly warns (www.bulbsoup.com) the reader about how she will treat her students. Mrs. Lopez' unprofessionalism, in this setting, foreshadows her unprofessionalism in the classroom. This foreshadowing highlights the theme of discrimination because she treats her students unequally, based on where they lived and how they performed in her class. The reader sees her shaming her failing students and praising the few who do well.
2. Ma Zalline's statement that Anjanee would do something bad if her situation did not change, foreshadows Anjanee's suicide at the end of the text. This foreshadowing highlights the theme of love and family relationships because Anjanee's situation highlights the importance of family support. Anjanee suffered because she did not have the emotional or financial support for her scholastic endeavors, and eventually took her life. This is contrasted with the consistent support that characterized Laetitia's journey, and how she flourished scholastically.
1. Mrs. Lopez' scorn of Laetitia, and Ma, is evident in her tone, which was very harsh and unprofessional, and her diction. She used words such as 'you people' (Hodge, 16) and even sucked her teeth at Ma, all because Laetitia did not have her father's last name or his address. If she could behave so appallingly with a parent, then it certainly warns (www.bulbsoup.com) the reader about how she will treat her students. Mrs. Lopez' unprofessionalism, in this setting, foreshadows her unprofessionalism in the classroom. This foreshadowing highlights the theme of discrimination because she treats her students unequally, based on where they lived and how they performed in her class. The reader sees her shaming her failing students and praising the few who do well.
2. Ma Zalline's statement that Anjanee would do something bad if her situation did not change, foreshadows Anjanee's suicide at the end of the text. This foreshadowing highlights the theme of love and family relationships because Anjanee's situation highlights the importance of family support. Anjanee suffered because she did not have the emotional or financial support for her scholastic endeavors, and eventually took her life. This is contrasted with the consistent support that characterized Laetitia's journey, and how she flourished scholastically.
IRONY.
1. It is clear that Orville Cephas and Laetitia do not have a relationship, father, and daughter do not even share a last name. It is therefore ironic that Orville places his daughter on show, for his friends to see, and brags to his boss about her. He is even upset when he receives her report and it is addressed to her grandmother. He is inordinately proud of her achievement, and brags about her, yet does not know her. This highlights the theme of dysfunctional family relationships, in this case, a negative one. It is negative because he values her for her achievement and not based on actually knowing and loving her, which is how it should be based on the fact that he is her father. This dysfunction in this newly made family unit is further revealed when he does not fight for his daughter's love and respect, but instead, lets her go and fights to make a minimal contribution in her life.
2. It is ironic that Laetitia arrives in the Cephas household and can 'straighten out' Michael, while his own mother, Velma, is unable to do so. The irony lies in the fact that a child, who is not expected to be a (www.bulbsoup.com) disciplinarian is, and the real mother is not. This highlights the theme of dysfunctional family relationships because it highlights the level of dysfunction in the Cephas household. Michael literally mirrors his father's activity, through the fact that he comes and goes as he pleases, and he gives his son license to disobey and disrespect his mother, Velma, when he gives the child permission to disobey his mother if she asks him to wash the dishes again. This family relationship, in the Cephas household, is therefore not strong as a direct result of the father's lead.
3. Laetitia's conversation with her Social Studies teacher, about the fact that the white nuclear family is better than any other family structure, including her extended family is ironic. This is revealed in the juxtaposition between the Cephas household, nuclear, and Laetitia's extended family. This highlights the theme of love and family relationships because Laetitia's extended family, which the teacher rejects as wholesome, is actually an extremely healthy and supportive environment. The toxic family structure is, in fact, the nuclear Cephas household, which looks picture-perfect on the outside but is dysfunctional at the core. The success of Laetitia's extended family lies in the love and respect that the members have for each other, something that is at a minimum in the nuclear Cephas household. Orville does not respect his wife enough to stay home and come home early when he can. He also does not encourage his son to listen to his mother, to make her life easier. So the nuclear Cephas family, the one that is seen as acceptable, is actually dysfunctional, in contrast to Laetitia's healthy extended family which is seen as unacceptable.
4. Laetitia literally hates living with her father. She does not appreciate the fact that she does not have a commute, like her friend Anjanee. As a result of not having a commute, she is rested and functional, unlike Anjanee, who cannot stay awake in class. She also has time to study, due to her lack of a commute, while Anjanee has zero time to study because of the commute. The irony lies in this juxtaposition. Ironically, Laetitia hates living at her father's house, where all her needs are met, while her friend, Anjanee, would love to be in Laetitia's position. This irony highlights the theme of dysfunctional family relationships. Both girls do not feel comfortable in the family settings that they have. They both feel unsupported in their desires, Laetitia to visit her extended family on the weekends and Anjanee to receive emotional and financial support scholastically, and are therefore miserable. The importance of being heard and seen, by the adults in the household, is what is highlighted in this scene.
1. It is clear that Orville Cephas and Laetitia do not have a relationship, father, and daughter do not even share a last name. It is therefore ironic that Orville places his daughter on show, for his friends to see, and brags to his boss about her. He is even upset when he receives her report and it is addressed to her grandmother. He is inordinately proud of her achievement, and brags about her, yet does not know her. This highlights the theme of dysfunctional family relationships, in this case, a negative one. It is negative because he values her for her achievement and not based on actually knowing and loving her, which is how it should be based on the fact that he is her father. This dysfunction in this newly made family unit is further revealed when he does not fight for his daughter's love and respect, but instead, lets her go and fights to make a minimal contribution in her life.
2. It is ironic that Laetitia arrives in the Cephas household and can 'straighten out' Michael, while his own mother, Velma, is unable to do so. The irony lies in the fact that a child, who is not expected to be a (www.bulbsoup.com) disciplinarian is, and the real mother is not. This highlights the theme of dysfunctional family relationships because it highlights the level of dysfunction in the Cephas household. Michael literally mirrors his father's activity, through the fact that he comes and goes as he pleases, and he gives his son license to disobey and disrespect his mother, Velma, when he gives the child permission to disobey his mother if she asks him to wash the dishes again. This family relationship, in the Cephas household, is therefore not strong as a direct result of the father's lead.
3. Laetitia's conversation with her Social Studies teacher, about the fact that the white nuclear family is better than any other family structure, including her extended family is ironic. This is revealed in the juxtaposition between the Cephas household, nuclear, and Laetitia's extended family. This highlights the theme of love and family relationships because Laetitia's extended family, which the teacher rejects as wholesome, is actually an extremely healthy and supportive environment. The toxic family structure is, in fact, the nuclear Cephas household, which looks picture-perfect on the outside but is dysfunctional at the core. The success of Laetitia's extended family lies in the love and respect that the members have for each other, something that is at a minimum in the nuclear Cephas household. Orville does not respect his wife enough to stay home and come home early when he can. He also does not encourage his son to listen to his mother, to make her life easier. So the nuclear Cephas family, the one that is seen as acceptable, is actually dysfunctional, in contrast to Laetitia's healthy extended family which is seen as unacceptable.
4. Laetitia literally hates living with her father. She does not appreciate the fact that she does not have a commute, like her friend Anjanee. As a result of not having a commute, she is rested and functional, unlike Anjanee, who cannot stay awake in class. She also has time to study, due to her lack of a commute, while Anjanee has zero time to study because of the commute. The irony lies in this juxtaposition. Ironically, Laetitia hates living at her father's house, where all her needs are met, while her friend, Anjanee, would love to be in Laetitia's position. This irony highlights the theme of dysfunctional family relationships. Both girls do not feel comfortable in the family settings that they have. They both feel unsupported in their desires, Laetitia to visit her extended family on the weekends and Anjanee to receive emotional and financial support scholastically, and are therefore miserable. The importance of being heard and seen, by the adults in the household, is what is highlighted in this scene.
JUXTAPOSITION.
1. At the beginning of the book, when Laetitia leaves her grandmother's house, her extended family packs a box of produce for her to take. This action is juxtaposed with the actions that are taken when Laetitia leaves her father's house, at the end of the book. This juxtaposition highlights the theme of love and family relationships. This is the case because the reader is exposed to two families who operate in distinctly different ways. Laetitia's extended family has strong ties to each other, built on strong family values. Orville's family, however, is not close-knit. This is due to his neglect of his family.
2. Anjanee and Laetitia are foils of each other, which creates the juxtaposition. Anjanee is poor and lives outside of the city, which places her at a disadvantage in school because she is constantly tired from the journey to and from school. The fact that she is poor means that she has to help her mother with household chores and selling, and she does not have texts book for school. Laetitia, on the other hand, lives in the financially stable Cephas household, which is located in the city. This circumstance (www.bulbsoup.com)makes life significantly easier for her because she has all her texts and is not tired because she is traveling a short distance, daily. The educational outcomes, for the two girls, are different, based on these contrasting circumstances. Anjanee does very poorly, while Laetitia does very well, even if she slacks off at times. This juxtaposition highlights the theme of friendship because Laetitia does her best to help her friend do well. This help ranged from tutoring Anjanee to loaning her textbooks. This friendship was not one-sided, Anjanee encouraged Laetitia to do well in school and follow the rules, as well as listened to Laetitia's complaints about Mr. Cephas.
3. Anjanee and Laetitia's family also contrasts in terms of their attitude to the girls' education. Anjanee's brothers, who run her household, do not believe that she needs additional schooling. In fact, they believe that she should stay home and help her mother, which leads to a lack of financial support for anything related to school. Laetitia's extended family, on the other hand, does everything to advance her education. The whole family voted for her to live with her father, even though she did not have a relationship with him because they believed that it would help her to do well in school. She would not have a commute and she would have someone, Aunt Velma, to help her with her work. So the decision was made based on the best context that would help her succeed educationally. This is a sacrifice for them because they do not trust Mr. Cephas, as seen in Ma's constant questioning about how she is being treated, yet they send her to ensure that she has a better future. This juxtaposition highlights the theme of love and family relationships because the reader sees how important the support of family members is to a child's development. Laetitia's motivation, and ultimate success, are grounded by the fact that she does not want to disappoint her family. So, even when she is on the verge of failure in the second term of school, she desperately tries to get back on track to make her family proud. Anjanee does not have this motivation because no one in her family wants her to succeed educationally. The result is that she falters and struggles to maintain her motivation. The reader sees her constantly having to lean on Laetitia when she feels that she cannot do it. So, essentially, Laetitia's support replaces what she should be getting from her family.
4. There is a contrast between how the Indian members of the Marlon Evans' gang were treated, versus the black members, "It seemed to us that Mr. Tewarie was always letting off the Indian boys in the gang, and blaming Peters and the rest for everything." (Hodge, 81). The disparity in treatment/ juxtaposition of the treatment of the boys, based on ethnicity, highlights the theme of discrimination. This is the case because the students are literally treated differently, based on their ethnicity. This results in tension between the students and the teachers.
5. The meekness of Miss Velma is contrasted with the brash independence of Ma Zelline to highlight the theme of the treatment of women in society. Miss Velmas' 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 compliant 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 expectations This is contrasted with the independent spirit highlights that Ma Zelline displays. This is the case because Ma Zelline is bullied for her unorthodox choices while Miss Velma is viewed as blessed in her circumstance. 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. So both women are treated differently based on their conforming to societal values; Miss Velma is viewed as lucky, while Ma Zelline is viewed as different, and subsequently endures taunts of being a mule. The irony, however, is not lost on the reader because the happier female is Ma Zelline.
1. At the beginning of the book, when Laetitia leaves her grandmother's house, her extended family packs a box of produce for her to take. This action is juxtaposed with the actions that are taken when Laetitia leaves her father's house, at the end of the book. This juxtaposition highlights the theme of love and family relationships. This is the case because the reader is exposed to two families who operate in distinctly different ways. Laetitia's extended family has strong ties to each other, built on strong family values. Orville's family, however, is not close-knit. This is due to his neglect of his family.
2. Anjanee and Laetitia are foils of each other, which creates the juxtaposition. Anjanee is poor and lives outside of the city, which places her at a disadvantage in school because she is constantly tired from the journey to and from school. The fact that she is poor means that she has to help her mother with household chores and selling, and she does not have texts book for school. Laetitia, on the other hand, lives in the financially stable Cephas household, which is located in the city. This circumstance (www.bulbsoup.com)makes life significantly easier for her because she has all her texts and is not tired because she is traveling a short distance, daily. The educational outcomes, for the two girls, are different, based on these contrasting circumstances. Anjanee does very poorly, while Laetitia does very well, even if she slacks off at times. This juxtaposition highlights the theme of friendship because Laetitia does her best to help her friend do well. This help ranged from tutoring Anjanee to loaning her textbooks. This friendship was not one-sided, Anjanee encouraged Laetitia to do well in school and follow the rules, as well as listened to Laetitia's complaints about Mr. Cephas.
3. Anjanee and Laetitia's family also contrasts in terms of their attitude to the girls' education. Anjanee's brothers, who run her household, do not believe that she needs additional schooling. In fact, they believe that she should stay home and help her mother, which leads to a lack of financial support for anything related to school. Laetitia's extended family, on the other hand, does everything to advance her education. The whole family voted for her to live with her father, even though she did not have a relationship with him because they believed that it would help her to do well in school. She would not have a commute and she would have someone, Aunt Velma, to help her with her work. So the decision was made based on the best context that would help her succeed educationally. This is a sacrifice for them because they do not trust Mr. Cephas, as seen in Ma's constant questioning about how she is being treated, yet they send her to ensure that she has a better future. This juxtaposition highlights the theme of love and family relationships because the reader sees how important the support of family members is to a child's development. Laetitia's motivation, and ultimate success, are grounded by the fact that she does not want to disappoint her family. So, even when she is on the verge of failure in the second term of school, she desperately tries to get back on track to make her family proud. Anjanee does not have this motivation because no one in her family wants her to succeed educationally. The result is that she falters and struggles to maintain her motivation. The reader sees her constantly having to lean on Laetitia when she feels that she cannot do it. So, essentially, Laetitia's support replaces what she should be getting from her family.
4. There is a contrast between how the Indian members of the Marlon Evans' gang were treated, versus the black members, "It seemed to us that Mr. Tewarie was always letting off the Indian boys in the gang, and blaming Peters and the rest for everything." (Hodge, 81). The disparity in treatment/ juxtaposition of the treatment of the boys, based on ethnicity, highlights the theme of discrimination. This is the case because the students are literally treated differently, based on their ethnicity. This results in tension between the students and the teachers.
5. The meekness of Miss Velma is contrasted with the brash independence of Ma Zelline to highlight the theme of the treatment of women in society. Miss Velmas' 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 compliant 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 expectations This is contrasted with the independent spirit highlights that Ma Zelline displays. This is the case because Ma Zelline is bullied for her unorthodox choices while Miss Velma is viewed as blessed in her circumstance. 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. So both women are treated differently based on their conforming to societal values; Miss Velma is viewed as lucky, while Ma Zelline is viewed as different, and subsequently endures taunts of being a mule. The irony, however, is not lost on the reader because the happier female is Ma Zelline.
SATIRE.
1. The education system, in the Caribbean, is satirized through the teacher's interaction with the students. The Literature teacher is used to highlight the impact that the European culture has on what is considered 'good literature'. This is done through his response to the children laughing at Anansi, but accepting the Greek cyclops. He corrects what he sees to be a bad situation by teaching from a book that has relevance to them, as Caribbean students. So, the teacher's reaction to the student's reaction highlights the satire. It highlights the effects of colonialism on the Caribbean education system.
2. The characterization of Mr. Tawarie and Mrs. Lopez also highlights a satire because both characters are introduced to us in a witty and amusing way, but are actually used to ridicule the educational system that harbours them. Their treatment of the students is a direct reflection of what the education system tolerates, for their students. Both characters are (www.bulbsoup.com) characterized as discriminatory, therefore highlighting the theme of discrimination. Mr. Tawarie discriminates based on ethnicity, while Mrs. Lopez discriminates based on class and aptitude. The reader sees Mr. Tawarie punishing the black students and not the Indian students and Mrs. Lopez prizing her 'bright' students and ostracizing her low-performing students. The fact that these teachers are allowed to remain in the school system, despite the many complaints from the students, highlights that the education system needs to be revamped.
1. The education system, in the Caribbean, is satirized through the teacher's interaction with the students. The Literature teacher is used to highlight the impact that the European culture has on what is considered 'good literature'. This is done through his response to the children laughing at Anansi, but accepting the Greek cyclops. He corrects what he sees to be a bad situation by teaching from a book that has relevance to them, as Caribbean students. So, the teacher's reaction to the student's reaction highlights the satire. It highlights the effects of colonialism on the Caribbean education system.
2. The characterization of Mr. Tawarie and Mrs. Lopez also highlights a satire because both characters are introduced to us in a witty and amusing way, but are actually used to ridicule the educational system that harbours them. Their treatment of the students is a direct reflection of what the education system tolerates, for their students. Both characters are (www.bulbsoup.com) characterized as discriminatory, therefore highlighting the theme of discrimination. Mr. Tawarie discriminates based on ethnicity, while Mrs. Lopez discriminates based on class and aptitude. The reader sees Mr. Tawarie punishing the black students and not the Indian students and Mrs. Lopez prizing her 'bright' students and ostracizing her low-performing students. The fact that these teachers are allowed to remain in the school system, despite the many complaints from the students, highlights that the education system needs to be revamped.
Contributor: Leisa Samuels-Thomas
