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112
Play • Fiction
1970s
1975
Adult
18+ years
NP
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange is a choreopoem that addresses the experiences and struggles of Black women through a combination of dance, music, and poetry. The work explores themes of sexuality, relationships, and sociopolitical issues. The characters express their personal challenges and dreams using African American Vernacular English, reflecting the cultural context of the 1970s. The book includes references to rape, murder, and domestic abuse.
Emotional
Mysterious
Melancholic
Inspirational
Challenging
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Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf earns praise for its powerful and moving depiction of Black women's experiences through poetic monologues. Critics laud its emotional depth and unique narrative style. However, some find the nonlinear structure challenging. Overall, it is celebrated for its cultural impact and artistic innovation.
Readers who appreciate raw emotional power, poetic language, and themes of resilience will find themselves deeply moved by Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf. Similar in impact to Alice Walker's The Color Purple and Toni Morrison's Beloved, it speaks to those seeking profound, transformative narratives.
35,806 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Lady in Yellow
Characterized by the color yellow in her clothing, she contributes to the collective narratives that explore various universal experiences and struggles.
The Lady in Purple
Wears purple and is one of the seven women whose shared stories form a tapestry of Black women's experiences in the 1970s urban United States.
The Lady in Red
Describes herself as outside of Baltimore but later performs in Los Angeles, adding to the mosaic of voices in the ensemble.
The Lady in Green
Part of the seven women ensemble, associated with the color green, and participates in the exploration of shared themes and stories among Black women.
The Lady in Blue
Initially identifies as being outside of New York and shares her New Jersey upbringing, participates in a monologue set in the Bronx.
The Lady in Orange
Associated with the color orange, she is one of the seven women whose collective stories depict urban Black women's experiences and challenges.
112
Play • Fiction
1970s
1975
Adult
18+ years
NP
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