Essay Questions

How does Li’l Bit incorporate intertextuality when teasing Big Papa?

Li’l Bit states, “You are going to die-very very soon. Maybe even tonight. And when you get to Heaven, God’s going to be a beautiful black woman in a long white robe. She’s gonna look at your chart and say: Uh-oh. Fornication. Dog-ugly mean with blood relatives…Voted for George Wallace. Well, one last chance: If you can name the play, all will be forgiven. And then she’ll quote: “ The quality of mercy is not trained.” Your answer? Oh, too bad-Merchant of Venice: Act IV, Scene iii. And then she’ll send you ass to fry in hell with the other crackers.” Li’l Bit’s citation of Shakespeare is an intertextuality which is intended to demonstrate that Big Papa does not deserve the mercy which Shakespeare describes in his play. Li’l Bit is convinced that Big Papa is an immoral person who should be subjected to suffering.

Explain the ideology of comparing Li’l Bit’s breasts to credentials.

The “Male Greek Chorus”: “(As Grandfather) A’ course, Li’l Bit got a big surprise coming for her when he goes to that fancy college this fall-..What does she need a college degree for? She’s got all the credential’s she’ll need on her chest.” According to the chorus, Li’l Bit is a woman considering that she is endowed with big breasts. The breasts are substitutes for education. The chorus implies that her breasts could be instrumental assets in her life especially in luring men; hence, education will not be necessary in her life.