Genre
African-American literature
Setting and Context
1900, California
Narrator and Point of View
Lula Ann Bridewell (Bridie)
Tone and Mood
Reflecting
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: Bridie Antagonist: Rasicm
Major Conflict
Bridie has the darkest skin imaginable and is discriminated by her own parents because of it.
Climax
When Sweetness explains her side of the story.
Foreshadowing
The racism and colorism shown by Bridie's parents foreshadow the way Bridie would be treated by society.
Understatement
Bridie's parents' upbringing is an understatement, as their parents molded how they also would treat their own children.
Allusions
The reader might have allusions to the colonial times, as well as stories portraying racism, such as "12 Years a Slave".
Imagery
The imagery of Bridie's father leaving them because of the color of Bridie's skin is alarming, as it shows just how much skin color can impact someone's life.
Paradox
"All skin is beautiful" is a paradox continuously discussed in the book. Even though Bridie's skin is described as beautiful, no one around her believes it.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A