Reading and Reacting

Question 8

 Does Mama’s view of Mrs. Carter change or remain the same as the plot develops ? Why does Mama ask Mrs. Carter to help Florence ? What does she learn that causes her to reject the “help” that Mrs. Carter offers ?

Mama’s view of Mrs. Carter change as the plot develops from more respect to disrespect. Besides , Mama ask Mrs. Carter for help because Mrs Carter has a lot people to contact as she is one of the dramatic actress. This can be one way to help Florence to achieve her dream. Furthermore, at the beginning she thinks that Mrs Carter is a good person that much liberated than most of other Southerner . Mrs Whitney also feels betrayed by Mrs Carter because suddenly she changes her personality to become more racist towards black person. This shows from the line 123 until line 147 when Mrs Carter told her about her brother ‘s book , Lost My Lonely Way. This book is about Zelma who is the heroine, killed herself by jumping from the bridge as she is not white but a black woman. Mrs. Carter also wants to help Florence to be a maid not an actress. This can be seen in the line 229, when she asked Mrs Whitney is it Florence knows how to cook and she also needs to do others house chores too. 

Posted by : Yamira Joe