1. ARCHETYPAL
1.1. Many characters and and details in the book embody popular archetypes
1.1.1. the first archetype is Mayas grandmother also knows as "momma"
1.1.1.1. The archetype that "momma" embodies in this book is the wise old woman
1.1.1.1.1. This character is normally seen to be very strict and have strong beliefs and values but they are also very powerful and wise
1.1.1.1.2. This archetype is also found in many other movies like Mary Popping and Brave
1.1.2. One archetype that is portrayed throughout the book is the archetype about the colour black
1.1.2.1. Maya is a black girl who lives in a white dominated society and she is always surrounded by stereotypes about the colour of her skin which tricked her into believing it was a bad thing
1.1.2.1.1. "It seemed terrible unfair to have a toothache and a headache and have to bear at the same time the heavy burden of blackness"
1.1.2.2. Throughout the book the colour black is deemed to be "dirty" or "disgusting"
2. POST- COLONIAL
2.1. It is very clear that throughout the book the people of colour are constantly facing racism and being treated poorly by the white people
2.1.1. White people in the book seem to think the are superior and have the right to treat black people poorly
2.1.1.1. An example of this is at Mayas graduation when there was a white man saying how people like Maya will never become what they want to be and they will always work for the white people
2.1.1.2. Maya is always being dehumanized
2.1.1.2.1. When Maya needed a dentist, the white dentist told her that he would rather stick his hand in a dogs mouth than in a n****r's
2.1.1.3. This is something that still happens today but has greatly improved since the time this story took place
2.1.2. The people of colour are always coming together making each other feel loved even if they are being told differently
2.1.2.1. After the speech was made by the boy at the graduation the black community came together and fought back by singing the Negro National Anthem
3. READER RESPONSE
3.1. It is sometimes hard for me to predict what is going to happen in books but there were a few times that is happened in this book
3.1.1. When Maya was raped and was told that if she told anyone Mr. Freeman would kill her brother Bailey who she loved dearly
3.1.1.1. After reading this I predicted that Maya would not tell anyone because she loved her brother so much that she would never want to risk anything bad happening to him
3.1.2. After reading this book I also came to many realizations about myself
3.1.2.1. One thing I realized is that I am extremely fortunate to be where I am today and I should never take anything I have for granted
4. FEMINIST
4.1. books main theme is feminism and gender stereotypes
4.1.1. There are many women introduced throughout the book
4.1.1.1. grandmother "momma": Mayas grandmother goes against all stereotypes people had for women during these times. Mose women were seen as weak but "momma" was the opposite and she broke stereotypes.
4.1.1.2. Maya's mother: Beauty is also a big theme in this book and Maya never saw herself as beautiful. Maya's mother was extremely beautiful and Maya looked up to her for that
4.2. focuses on the way women used to be viewed
4.2.1. This book shows how much life has changed for women today
4.2.1.1. Maya was raped at a very young age but she was scared that people would think it was her fault and she "wanted" it
4.2.1.2. Maya was taught that women are not capable of doing the things men do
4.2.1.3. Today there is still some forms of sexism toward females but not nearly as much as there used to be
4.2.1.3.1. I also learned that I need to be more grateful for things that happen in my life and I need to stop overreacting about small inconviences
4.2.1.3.2. Today, women are more open about telling people when they have been sexually assaulted and they don't worry as much that they will take the blame for it but unfortunately Maya felt this way when it happened to her.