Tuesday, April 16, 2013

THEHAPPYFAMILY




Clearly, Pecola´s biological family cannot be considered as a happy one. Toni Morrison states, “She struggled between an overwhelming desire that one could kill the other, and a profound wish that she herself could die” (43). Mrs. Breedlove was constantly fighting with Cholly, since he was always drunk. Yet these fights will get out of hand causing for little Sammy “to run away from home” (43) while he was only fourteen years old. This clearly demonstrates what a harsh childhood Pecola and Sammy had. They even called their mom by her last time. Is this usual?

I found this chapter really ironic: the title states the Breedlove´s were a happy family that lived on a green and white house yet they lived on a constant fight between each other. As one starts reading this chapter, one is able to realize that the title was a lie. They are everything but happy. Still Toni Morrison wants us to believe that their way of life was common back then. For us a more casual day will be going to school, going home to do our homework, and then chat with our family while having dinner. We are used to a different routine. But did all the families during that time were as unhappy and full of problems?

VOCABULARY:
Vengeance: punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong.



Linoleum: a material consisting of a canvas backing thickly coated with a preparation of linseed oil and powdered cork, used esp. as a floor covering.



Ample: enough or more than enough; plentiful.



Taut: tretched or pulled tight; not slack.



Dirge: a lament for the dead.



Abhorrent: inspiring disgust and loathing; repugnant.





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