Zachary McCallum 

English 1121 (Prof. Scanlan) 

05/10/2020 

 

 

 ‘New York Day Women’ Literary Research Paper 

 

“New York Day Women” by Edwidge Danticat focuses primarily on a mother and daughter who immigrated to the U.S from Haiti. Suzette (the daughter) is on a lunch break in Manhattan when she catches her mother out and about. This throws her off guard because according to her, her mother has never left Brooklyn and is wary about taking the train. Suzette follows her mother around to see what she’s up to.  

 

 In the article “Oral narrative as short story cycle: forging community in Edwidge Danticat’s Krik? Krak!”, Rocio G. Davis dives into topics such as motherhood, womanhood, class issues and much more. While Rocio G. Davis’ article dives into those specific topics “Mothering the Motherless: Portrayals of alternative mothering, practicing within the Caribbean diaspora” by Amanda Putnam adds the focus of identifying one’s self along with motherhood. Both articles share a strong message of motherhood, feminism, class issues and self-empowerment. In an effort to show this, I will show how “New York Day Women” exhibits a strong sense of motherhood and feminist ethics which allows the main character to grow into a more well-defined woman. After this, I will go into detail about the self-awareness the main character goes through due to the help of her mother.  

 

Throughout the story Suzanne’s recalls bits of advice and messages that her mother used to give her throughout her lifetime. Through her mother’s guidance and counsel Suzanne became enlightened.  

 

 

 (251 words)