In Recitatif, Toni Morrison explores identity, memory, and race by using ambiguity, which means she keeps some things unclear. She never says directly what race the two main characters, Twyla and Roberta, are. Because of this, readers must think about their own ideas about race and how these ideas affect their understanding of the story. One example of this ambiguity is in the way Twyla and Roberta’s mothers are described. Twyla’s mother likes to dance all night, and Roberta’s mother is very religious and carries a big cross. These traits suggest differences, but Morrison never confirms if they are based on race. This makes readers question how they view the…

In “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. LeGuin, the author uses the difference between a happy city and a suffering child to talk about the idea of fairness and what is right or wrong. Omelas is a perfect, joyful place where everyone seems happy. However, the happiness of the city depends on one child who lives in misery, locked away in a dark basement. First, LeGuin describes the happy city of Omelas, with its festivals, music, and celebrations. The people of Omelas enjoy their lives and are full of joy. However, there is a dark secret: all this happiness only exists because one child is suffering…

In Act I, Scene 1 of “The Tempest,” Prospero shows the theme of power and control through his magic. He uses his abilities to create a big storm that affects a ship carrying sailors. This storm demonstrates how much control he has over the situation and the people involved. The sailors are scared and feel helpless against the storm. This shows that they cannot fight back against Prospero’s power. He is in a different place, yet he can control what happens to them, which emphasizes his strength and authority. This scene sets the tone for the rest of the play, making it clear that Prospero can influence the lives of…

In “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” Walt Whitman talks about something as simple as taking the ferry and shows how it connects people in a special way. He writes about crossing the river and seeing many people doing the same thing. Even though these people are strangers, Whitman believes that they are all connected because they share the same experience. One important idea in the poem is how Whitman feels connected to the people around him. He sees many people on the ferry and the shore, all busy with their own lives. It might seem like these people have nothing in common, but Whitman thinks differently. He believes that because they are…