Race, Class, and Identity in Toni Morrison's Recitatif: An Analysis of Ambiguity and Prejudice
Overview
This essay analyzes Toni Morrison's short story Recitatif, examining the relationship between Twyla and Roberta across multiple encounters in their lives. The paper argues that Morrison deliberately obscures racial identity while exploring themes of race, class prejudice, and social division, using the title's musical reference to reflect the episodic narrative structure.
What this essay covers
- Introduction to Twyla and Roberta's meeting at St. Bonny orphanage and their different racial backgrounds
- Analysis of their second encounter showing class-based resentment and social judgment between the characters
- Examination of the title Recitatif and its literary significance to the narrative structure and themes
Preview
Student
Instructor
Course
Date
Recitatif By Toni Morrison
Recitatif is an amazing story involving Twyla and Roberta. The two individuals first connect in an orphanage for children, which is called St. Bonny. This is after each of them is taken away from their parents. The characters involved in the story are from different racial backgrounds. This is demonstrated through the theme of race and prejudice demonstrated throughout the play. First, the race of Twyla and Roberta are debatable. However, there is clear separation based on class, and none is acknowledged as White or African American.
Through the story, I perceive that the writer wanted to eliminate racial codes, although the story involves people from different races. When they first meet, it is clear that the two girls are different from each other. One of them is black, and the other is white, but there is no disclosure. When Twyla and Roberta meet for the second time, there is evidence of strife between them. There is clear resentment between them. When they meet, Roberta is wearing makeup and skimpy dresses. She also flirts with men, which causes condescension from Twyla. Twyla also shows much disinterest in Roberta activities and friends during the meeting.
Recitatif is a French word referring to recitative, musical declamation hovering between songs and original speech. It is used during narrative interludes. Therefore, the title means is significant to the story because it provides the dialogic interludes in the episodic nature of the narrative.