Compare and Contrasts of "Recitatif"
“Recitatif” In “Recitatif” by Toni Morrison, two young girls Roberta and Twyla meet one another at a state home for orphan and foster children. It is apparent from the start that either of the girls is white or black. Even at their young age, they both have preconceived expectations of the other because of their difference in race. However, as each character ages and is developed further, many of their traits could be that of someone white or black, albeit they contrast in personality. As a result of these traits, readers will likely unconsciously try to racially classify Roberta and Twyla only to change their mind a minute later. “Recitatif” forces readers to abandon the preconceived stereotypes and realize that they are constantly creating racial conclusions that are primarily based on socially reinforced stereotypes.
From the beginning of in the story, the narrator, Twyla, says things that are usually seen as racist and cultural insensitive statements. Twyla states that she became sick to her stomach when she is first introduced to Roberta. She says to the ‘Big Bozzo’ that “My mother won’t like you putting me in here [with Roberta]” (201). She continues on by quoting her mother saying “that they never washed their hair and they smelled funny. Roberta sure did. Smell funny, I mean” (201). As the story progresses, none of these thoughts reemerge from Twyla. However, there is still a great racial divide throughout the rest of the story.
As for Roberta, aside from her mother refusing to shake Mary’s (Twyla’s mother) hand, not much is indicated about her knowledge about or feelings toward Twyla’s race until midway into the story. During the first reunion since St. Bonny’s, Roberta and her friends express obvious prejudice towards Twyla. The conversation begins to digress when Twyla is ridiculed in a very ugly manner for not knowing who Jimi Hendrix was. Roberta says “Jimi Hendrix, asshole. He’s only the biggest-Oh, wow. Forget it” (206) and dismissed Twyla
From the beginning of in the story, the narrator, Twyla, says things that are usually seen as racist and cultural insensitive statements. Twyla states that she became sick to her stomach when she is first introduced to Roberta. She says to the ‘Big Bozzo’ that “My mother won’t like you putting me in here [with Roberta]” (201). She continues on by quoting her mother saying “that they never washed their hair and they smelled funny. Roberta sure did. Smell funny, I mean” (201). As the story progresses, none of these thoughts reemerge from Twyla. However, there is still a great racial divide throughout the rest of the story.
As for Roberta, aside from her mother refusing to shake Mary’s (Twyla’s mother) hand, not much is indicated about her knowledge about or feelings toward Twyla’s race until midway into the story. During the first reunion since St. Bonny’s, Roberta and her friends express obvious prejudice towards Twyla. The conversation begins to digress when Twyla is ridiculed in a very ugly manner for not knowing who Jimi Hendrix was. Roberta says “Jimi Hendrix, asshole. He’s only the biggest-Oh, wow. Forget it” (206) and dismissed Twyla
Cited: Morrison, Toni. "Recitatif." The Norton Introduction to Literature. Ed. Kelly J. Mays. Shorter 11th ed. New York: Norton, 2013. 201-214. Print.