Recitatif

Based on the text, readers can surmise that Twyla and Roberta were around eight years on un the 1950s and in their 20s in the late 1960s (Roberta was going to see Jimi Hendrix, who became popular in the late 60s before his unfortunate death in 1970). Now that readers have this context and from what we know about American history, what were racial relations like in the 1950s and 1960s?

What is the Civil Rights movement? Can you talk about a few Civil Rights leaders? Who was president during this significant time in American History?

In what year did it become prohibited by law to discriminate against black Americans?

How does this information help you understand the interaction between Roberta’s mother and Twyla’s mother? Does the way Roberta’s mother treats Twyla’s mother gives us a clue about which girl is white and which is black?

With Twyla and Roberta we have one Afro-American character and one Caucasian-American character. But which character is which? And, how did you arrive at your decision? What is your evidence?

Why do you think Morrison makes us guess about the identity of Twyla and Roberta instead of just telling us which girl is black and which is white?

Think of the orchard tree in St. Bonaventure. What is the significance of the orchard tree? Why does the story continually return to references to the orchard and to Maggie?

Food acts as a unifier, a divider, a source of contention and also a source of comfort throughout. Can you reference instances in the story when food was a source of comfort or contention?

Parent and child relations, specifically motherhood, is a powerful symbol in this story. Who are the various matriarchal figures in this story, and what different types of mothering are represented? How does motherhood change Twyla and Roberta?

What is the story trying to tell us about friendship and memory? Do you think friendship can stand the test of time? Is this the case for Twyla and Roberta? What memories and events bond Twyla and Roberta?

Do you think Twyla and Roberta were afraid of Maggie as children? When the girls meet again as grownups, how does Roberta react to Twyla’s memory of Maggie? How does Roberta’s reaction make Twyla feel?

Neither of the girls can agree on Maggie's race; she's described as "sandy colored" and as "pitch-black." Why do you think the author doesn't reveal Maggie's identity and what does this tell us about race and identity in general?

What does Twyla say about Maggie at the end of Act 4? (Answer: “Maggie was my dancing mother.”)

What does she mean by this? Look for clues in the text. • At the very end of this act, Twyla says that she knew Maggie “couldn’t scream—just like me—and I was glad about that.” Why do you think she identifies with Maggie? • Why do you think Twyla would have been “glad” that Maggie couldn’t call out for help?