Essay Questions

Why is Daniel so scared after being in prison?

Daniel was sent to prison on a plea deal. He accept the crime of grand theft auto, something he didn't do, in order to get a 2 year sentence. When he was inside, he tells Fonny, that he saw white men do things that he will have nightmares about for the rest of his life. Witnessing the oppression and horrors that were allowed to be done to other human beings has rocked Daniel to the core of his soul and we see it clearly as he sits smoking at Fonny and Tish's dinner table.

What is the purpose of Sharon going to Puerto Rico, and why is it significant?

Sharon, Tish's mother, believes in love and in doing what is right no matter the difficulty. And she acts on it when all that's left to do is see if Victoria, the woman who lied about Fonny raping her, will recant. She does so by going to Puerto Rico to see the young woman, and to travel out of country is a major deal for a black person as there are genuine safety concerns for her. But she does it anyway, and goes alone because she must do everything in her power to do what's right. By doing nothing she allows the likes of people like Officer Bell to prevail and maintain their hatred outworking in other people's lives.

How does Fonny end up in prison?

Fonny is in prison during the birth of he and Tish's child. He's there because he's been falsely accused of raping a woman he's never met. Fonny was approached by Officer Bell who wanted to arrest him for throwing a man out of a grocery store (a man who was assaulting Fonny's wife). So, when he can't do that, he falsely pins a rape on him and causes the young father-to-be to serve years behind bars.