Recitaif

Nikeisha Abdool

Professor Raquel Corona

English 102

9/19/14


1. From the clues provided by the narrator, how do you figure out the race and class backgrounds of the two main characters, Twyla and Roberta? Why do you think Toni Morrison presents this in the way she does?

In the beginning of the story Twyla says. "it was one things to taken out of your own bed early in the morning-it was something else to be stuck in a strange place with a girl from a whole other race". Twyla also stated her mother told her the never washed their hair and they smelled funny. She also pointed out the other kids use to call them salt and pepper. From the clues I think its definite to say that Twyla is white and Roberta is black. I would say Roberta was of lower class than Twyla was. I think the author presents this story in the way she does to show both sides of two people who led somewhat different lives. I think she wanted to show the good and the bad. And no matter what Twyla and Roberta remained friends while being at St. Bonny's despite their race or what their lives were like.