Power of Preconceived Notions in Essay

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From children to adults, we see how their world is colored by preconceived notions. When Roberta declares that she is "Mrs. Kenneth Norton," we realize she has "arrived." Twyla understands what it means to take on such a name and immediately assume that Roberta is wealthy. She is correct in her assumption when Roberta confesses that she has two servants. Roberta has no interest in what her husband does as all she knows about his work is that it involves "Computers and stuff. What do I know?" (Morrison). While they are reminiscing, Roberta says, "Oh, Twyla, you know how it was in those days: black-white. You know how everything was." (Morrison). This statement causes Twyla to admit that she did not know what Roberta was speaking about but it also demonstrates how children are instilled with preconceived notions. The girls were not aware of the reasons behind their behavior. However, they did judge other people by their race. When Roberta makes the comment about how race issues used to be, we see awareness but no real reconciliation. Here we see how time and memory are playing tricks on Twyla. She understands the direction Roberta's life has taken and she also realizes that it has changed Roberta from the girl she once was. Morrison plays tricks with readers with these girls as she never divulges who is black and who is white. If Roberta is African-American, we perceive her differently than is she was white. Her status would be elevated in the community as a wealthy African-American. Should Twyla be the white character in this tale, we see how jealousy could factor into the equation.

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These presumptions are based upon preconceived notions and by keeping the girl's race secret from readers, Morrison demonstrates how dependent we can be on these notions. She proves how much our notions affect our everyday lives in this story with the girls of mysterious race.

Racial difference is not limited to specific races. Those we would think to be the least racist in thought and action actually have a greater problem with race than they will admit as we see "Everyday Use." Dee wants to be a particular way but she also wants to be perceived another way. Race becomes a dividing line when "Recitatif," help us learn about preconceived notions by presenting us with characters that are real. Dee is realistic because we can understand why she wants to escape the kind of life Maggie and her mother have. When her mother realizes her shallowness in comparison to Maggie, we see that looks and drive are not all that makes a person. Attitude and depth are important as well. Dee wanted to appear as though she was authentic but most of this was an act. She was simply more concerned with herself. In "Recitatif," we see how the author exposes racial differences through mystery. This technique has two effects: the first is we must lean into our own understandings and the second is we must also realize that many preconceived ideas are so subtle, we miss them. Each author illustrates how racial differences run deep within society.

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