Memoir Report Sheet
Title:
Warrior’s Don’t Cry
Author:
Melba Pattillo Beals
Copyright Date:
1994
1
The book, Warrior’s Don’t Cry is a memoir written by Melba Pattillo Beals. A way to know that the book is a memoir is that the book is written entirely in 1st person from Melba’s point, an example from the book would be the note she wrote before she began writing the book in which she had stated that the names of the characters had been changed to protect their identity. 2 The author's full name is Melba Pattillo Beals. She is an African American woman born on
December 7, 1941. 3Melba’s childhood was extremely painful and full of challenges, she faced things that no child should have faced at such young age. She had almost been raped by a white man but she never even knew what rape was when it happened, it was when she grew older and realized what the meaning of rape was. White women, men, and children hated her because she started attending the Central High School for all whites only. This is the school where a brick got thrown at her, acid got thrown into her eyes, and she got punched and harassed by the students of the high school.4 Her family is very religious and supportive. Though Melba’s parents knew the results of her attending Central High they supported her and protected her throughout the whole process. Her grandma, India, told her many helpful things; to always have faith and hope or to believe in God because everything happens for a good reason. 5Melba’s grandmother, India exerted a strong influence over Melba as did all the students in Central High. India was basically like her second mother, telling her to continue doing the right things and alway praying to God.
The students however taught her a lesson, they made her strong as a warrior. She learnt to deal with the harassments that happen in school and to continue her life without a soldier right by her to guard her. 6 Melba is very well