Precious Jones Sparknotes

The character that I chose to focus on is Claireece “Precious” Jones. She is a 16 year old, african-american girl from Harlem, New York. She currently lives with her mother, Mary Lee Johnson, in a rundown apartment building. She is currently single and is pregnant with her second child. Both of her children are fathered by Precious’s biological father, Karl, who does not live in the apartment with Precious and her mother. Precious is still in middle school due to her illiteracy issues, however she does excel in mathematics. Due to her recent pregnancy her middle school principal suspended her from school but later offered her an option to attend an alternative school where Precious could get her G.E.D. After the birth of her second child,
Her mother blames Precious for taking away her man and having his two children when she only had one so she thinks that Precious thinks she’s better than her. Often times Mary Lee will suddenly throw things at Precious’s head or suddenly attach Precious to the point of knocking her unconscious. During this intense exchanges or when Precious is feeling overwhelmed at school or in life she daydreams about living a life of fame and fortune. Being loved by everyone and having a light skinned handsome boyfriend on her arm while she dances and sings in the spotlight wearing glamorous clothes. On occasion when Precious looks at old photos of her mother, she’ll fantasize about her mother being a sweet loving woman to her and showing her kindness and affection. As she continues to go to the alternative school she begins to learn how to read and write due to Ms. Rain making her students write in a journal everyday. This allows Precious to get out everything she has been holding back for all these years and her teacher writes back to her in the journal giving her advice and talking with her through her issues. Through Precious’s journey she becomes an ally to herself by seeking to better herself through school, and her eventual willingness to be confronted, to contemplate change, and to take action for herself (Spencer,