Analysis Of Jacqueline Woodson's When A Southern Town Broke A Heart
Do you ever suspect that your home is not as safe as you think it is? The story “When a Southern Town Broke a Heart”, by Jacqueline Woodson, is about when she thought about this as a nine-year-old. She lived in Greenville (South Carolina) for most of her childhood, but moved to Brooklyn with her mother. This story is set in Greenville, on one of her trips back. During the course of the story, Woodson shows that one of the most difficult things about growing up is realizing the insecurity of a place where one once felt protected.
One example of the theme is when the author first mentions the idea of growing up. “..., when the tendrils of adulthood move toward us, showing themselves long before we are ready to see” (pg. 2). This quote is a …show more content…
metaphor that Woodson uses to describe growing up against your will. The author knows how to use the metaphor, which shows she has experience with it.
Another fact to consider is Woodson’s reference to the poison ivy on a tree in her backyard.
In years before, she had come close to the ivy, but never touched it. “But that summer, the poison ivy found its way to my older brother’s legs, then along his hands and arms” (pg. 3). This is another metaphor, describing the danger (racism and segregation) in Woodson’s town. In the years before, she had never noticed it because her grandmother had sheltered her from it. The quote refers to Woodson’s most recent trip there, when she had to realize the dangers around her.
A final reference to the theme is when the author is leaving the town, and looks back on her experiences there. “We had left “home” the first time with my mother for the dream of New York. At 9, I felt as though home was turning its back on me now without so much as a wave goodbye” (pg. 4). This quote indicates that Woodson wishes that she was still unaware of the dangers around her, and was not ready for the change in her thinking.
To conclude, Woodson is trying to teach the reader that part of reaching adulthood is realizing the dangers in your home. She used metaphors to describe growing up and having to notice the dangers of Greenville. She described how she felt after this realization. This story shows that the hardest thing about growing up is losing the innocence of one’s home, where they once felt
safe.
One example of the theme is when the author first mentions the idea of growing up. “..., when the tendrils of adulthood move toward us, showing themselves long before we are ready to see” (pg. 2). This quote is a …show more content…
metaphor that Woodson uses to describe growing up against your will. The author knows how to use the metaphor, which shows she has experience with it.
Another fact to consider is Woodson’s reference to the poison ivy on a tree in her backyard.
In years before, she had come close to the ivy, but never touched it. “But that summer, the poison ivy found its way to my older brother’s legs, then along his hands and arms” (pg. 3). This is another metaphor, describing the danger (racism and segregation) in Woodson’s town. In the years before, she had never noticed it because her grandmother had sheltered her from it. The quote refers to Woodson’s most recent trip there, when she had to realize the dangers around her.
A final reference to the theme is when the author is leaving the town, and looks back on her experiences there. “We had left “home” the first time with my mother for the dream of New York. At 9, I felt as though home was turning its back on me now without so much as a wave goodbye” (pg. 4). This quote indicates that Woodson wishes that she was still unaware of the dangers around her, and was not ready for the change in her thinking.
To conclude, Woodson is trying to teach the reader that part of reaching adulthood is realizing the dangers in your home. She used metaphors to describe growing up and having to notice the dangers of Greenville. She described how she felt after this realization. This story shows that the hardest thing about growing up is losing the innocence of one’s home, where they once felt
safe.