Plot Analysis
Inner conflict: Mama must keep her essence and honor her family traditions, so she faces a tough situation between her girls, and must act accordingly to these traditions. She must educate them even if they are already grown up.
External conflict:
Man vs man: Dee challenged Mama by demanding the quilts in a disrespectful way but as hard as this situation got Mama acted wisely and correctly.
Man vs society: Dee is convinced she is fighting prejudice when in reality she is just acting irrationally.
Man vs nature: After the series of unfortunate events Mama and Maggie were left without education or a decent living situation.
Man vs superpowers: Mama made the impossible to ameliorate her and daughter’s situation without putting aside the life lessons learned of her life experiences.
Climax: Dee sees the quilts and demands for them. This causes Mama and Dee to get into an argument since she wouldn’t allow Dee to have them. The quilts already belonged to Maggie because Mama promised to give them to her but Dee wouldn’t accept it.
Resolution: Mama is confident in her decision and refuses to give Dee the quilts, so Dee leaves furious with her boyfriend.
Theme:
Education: The lack of education Maggie received makes her feel less in comparison to her sister. She believes that the lack of education and opportunities is the reason for her current situation.
Scars: The scar Maggie has due to the fire that burnt down her past home is a representation of how she portrays herself.
Heritage: It is a vital part of the story because Mama respects and emphasizes the importance of her roots and traditions.
Voice: First person narration.
Mood: Contemplative and tense, it revolves around a family conflict.
Tone: Contemplative, Mama often remembers her past and acts around those memories.
By María Camila Montes, Step 11
