I enjoy EDWARD P. JONES, writing; I felt connected with the story. The narrator told about her childhood memory that crash her. The first day of school for all kids is essential because it leaves an impact on the child forever. I think the narrator is experiencing flashbacks of her childhood and how detailed she was about her mother, neighbors, and the school staff; it affects how sensitive or hurt the narrator was from her mother’s action. Also, her mother does not know how to read or write. It makes it hard for a mother and child to understand feelings. When we hold on to something very long, it becomes traumatizing memory, and we hold it forever. A question for the narrator is, had she spoken to her mother about how she felt? Why this memory you choose to write?
As a kid, I think we don’t see the pain or the truth until we are old. Then we realize how hurtful it is, and I think the little girl only saw happiness because she was excited about school but then felt alone.
About
Professor: Jessica Penner
Email: creative.writing.citytech@gmail.com
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM. I’ll be available through Zoom and will send an invitation via email that you should keep all semester. Try to join my meeting at the start of the hour, not at the end—since I may be talking to other students or have another appointment after the hour is up. If those times don’t work with your schedule, we can schedule a different time. This means you’ll have to schedule an appointment in advance. I suggest you have multiple times in mind, since your schedule may not mesh with mine!
I wonder where the mother got the education she had. Clearly she wasn’t uneducated enough to not know how things worked, but she was uneducated enough to not know how to read. I don’t think the story lost anything from it, but it would be a nice side thing to know about.
I agree with you the mother was serious about her education and wanted her to have a bright future. The authors descriptive nature helps the audience connect to the experience she had with her mother
Jones’ mother not knowing how to read or write really tied the whole story together. It made so much more sense as why her mom was pushing her to attend school. Jones’ mom didn’t want her daughter to end up like her when she got older so she decided to do something about it before it was too late.