2. The sisters use of Elemeno ia an indicator of how both sisters are looking at the world from auniques biracial perspective different that of there parents and others. Elemeno represents their biracial identity as beign their own not subject to the same influences that affect blacks and whites specifically. It is one thing that brings them together thus helping them to form a trong bond with one another.
5. A key theme in the book is the fact that Birdie really doesn't have a name. It helps to substantiate the idea that Birdie has a conflicted sense of identity. From a early on she has a murky, nuddled sense of being and she is in conflict with this throughout the novel.
15. I don't think race is a complete illusion but I do think that an argument can be made for supporting the statement. If you look as race as simply being something that is a product of how you perceive yourself based on how people in your environment perceive you to be a case can be made that it is an illusion. If one were to look at numerous examples in history, ancient societies divided people based on things such as religion and societal status as opposed to physical differences. Birdie is viewed by people based on what they think someone of her physical characteristics should be defined as not based on what she really is.
16. The consequences of choosing one part of ones racial identity over another can have a profound impact on the psyche of the person in question. The biracia person that chooses one part of their identity over another is essentially alienating a part of themselves which makes them who they are. Theya lso risk cutting themselves off from friends and family and aspects of their culture.
17. I think Birdies black imagined history shapes her identity just as much as her white one. Knowing ones identity gives a person a basis for acting and behaving a certain way. If we learn about our family through oral and written histories we may act based on how others in our family act. Everything that Birdie goes through seems to be directly related to the conflict between her black identity and white identity.
18. Deck's theory about mulattos in America functioning as canaries in a coal mine is a very pessimistic way of looking at things. The idea that Birdie's life is one that is subject to testing the potential dangers of interracial relationships and what comes of them is an idea that I don't agree with. Given the setting of the book and the city that it takes place in it makes sense that he would make that statement. I just don't think it applies in this day and age. Birdie's fate will be one where she will be working out issues of her identity for the rest of her life.
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