Compare And Contrast Recitatif By Tony Morrison

When reading a story, many readers expect an introduction, a main story, and a resolution. When a story is left unresolved, with an ending that is up to interpretation, it forces readers to consider the themes and what is likely beyond the written ending given by the author. Two such stories are “Recitatif” by Tony Morrison and “Puppy” by George Saunders. Tony Morrison’s short story “Recitatif” explores the topics of class and race between two girls in an open-ended narrative, while George Saunders’ “Puppy” tackles class differences by giving insight on both sides of the same issue. Although these stories are written in different voices and points of view, their common topics and narration cause readers to consider morality, both their own

The girls, Twyla and Roberta, have differing opinions on several subjects, from bussing policies to their own memories. For a story centered around race, it keeps readers on their toes questioning their own prejudices by never explicitly stating the race of either girl. The only concrete difference readers can discern is that of their social standing, which is intertwined with their racial conflict. Despite growing up in the same orphanage, Twyla and Roberta grew up to lead different lives, which we first see when they reconnect at a diner Twyla works at. Twyla tries to say hello and maybe catch up, but Roberta is completely dismissive of her. This could be considered merely a racial difference, and that they weren’t supposed to get along, but there is also the issue of their different class standing. Twyla being a literal server in a restaurant and Roberta a client creates a power imbalance in which it is easy to look down upon the employee. Roberta even “[laughs] a private laugh that included the guys, but only the guys, and they laughed with her.” when Twyla told Roberta which neighborhood she lived in (Morrison 106). This feels as if Roberta is laughing at Twyla by excluding her from the joke, and laughing at the area she lives in. This kind of judgement of the other is a common theme between both “Recitatif” and