Themes
Powerlessness in the Face of Structural Racism
Lutie cannot get ahead, despite her best efforts and relentless work ethic, a fact she blames on the inherent racism in American society. This often manifests in the form of a lack of employment opportunities. Her estranged husband, Jim, was unable to find work and became restless and angry. Her father, Pops, is forced to bootleg liquor to make money. Lutie herself finds work in the home of a white family, but the unremitting hours cost her marriage. Lutie feels as though she has no agency in her life, and that all her efforts will come to naught because of factors outside her control. She resists investing fully in her dreams, such as becoming a nightclub singer, because she correctly assumes that these will be taken away from her.
This powerless extends to other black characters, as well. Min has spent much of her adult life bouncing from one man’s home to the next, unable to find a place to call her own. She seeks assistance from the supernatural in the form of Prophet David, because she knows she has no true recourse for help in her everyday life. Boots relies on Plus, gain access to 8,450+ more expert-written Study Guides. Including features:
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By Ann Petry
