When Tante Lou and Miss Emma meet Vivian they conclude that she is "quality, " but they are as well. It is clear that Miss Emma's power and influence are driving the plot of this novel. However, Tante Lou and Vivian also present themselves as strong, influencing women. Cite a passage about Miss Emma, Tante Lou or Vivian that you found especially important in understanding the power of women. Explain what this passage reveals. (The deadline to post a response to this post is midnight, July 20, 2013.)
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Women of Quality
When Tante Lou and Miss Emma meet Vivian they conclude that she is "quality, " but they are as well. It is clear that Miss Emma's power and influence are driving the plot of this novel. However, Tante Lou and Vivian also present themselves as strong, influencing women. Cite a passage about Miss Emma, Tante Lou or Vivian that you found especially important in understanding the power of women. Explain what this passage reveals. (The deadline to post a response to this post is midnight, July 20, 2013.)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
During one of his visits to Jefferson in chapter seventeen, Grant Wiggins becomes defensive of his girlfriend Vivian.
“‘That lady you spoke of, boy, cares a lot about you,’ I said. ‘She’s waiting at that school right now for me to bring her news about you. That’s a lady you spoke of, boy. That’s a lady. Because it’s she who keeps me coming here. Not your nannan, not my aunt. Vivian. If I didn’t have Vivian, I wouldn’t be in this damn hole. Because I know damn well I’m not doing any good, for you or for any of the others (130).’”
This passage reveals that Vivian is Grant’s driving force. She is a caring, proper, and genuine woman that makes Grant want to be a better person and go along with Miss Emma’s wishes. Additionally, she is the only one who keeps him sane and does not try to guilt him into anything. She is simply suggestive, and he seems to respond well to her. Vivian is a powerful woman in this book because she is the only ounce of hope that keeps Grant from giving up and running away, which he could easily do. Even Jefferson’s reaction to this rant exemplifies how powerful Vivian is. Because something in those words about Vivian moves him, he begins to cry, which is the most amount of emotion he has shown in this entire book. Women like Vivian can cause men like Grant and Jefferson to be more emotional, which, in turn, allows them to be more understanding.
-Hannah S.
Throughout the novel, Grant unwillingly obeys his aunt, not to please her, but because she is such a powerful woman that he cannot refuse. For example, when Tante Lou first tells Grant that she wants him to visit Jefferson, he tries to leave the house, but she objects by saying, "You ain't going to Bayonne till you go up the quarter...You go'n see Mr. Henri with me and Emma, there." Even though Grant hates the idea of going to Henri Pichot's house and has no desire to visit Jefferson, he drives the women to Henri's house and goes inside with them. Grant's obedience in this scene shows how powerful women, like his aunt, can be because he goes against his own personal desire to do what Tante Lou wants him to do.
-Tyler N
Post a Comment