In Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi (1968), there are many situations that arise throughout Moody’s life, which show hope prevails supporting her ending statement “I WONDER. I really WONDER.” Although there are many stories of murder and racism scattered throughout this story, these events keep a young Essie Mae curious and a young adult Anne Moody determined. Since the curiosity and determination Moody possesses stems from these acts against the Negro population, it ultimately gives her the hope to look forward to the rights she will gain after testifying to the events that have taken place in Mississippi. Every sit-in and protest Moody participates in shows the underlying hope she has that Negros will one day have the same rights as white people. The hope that Moody possesses is carried with her throughout the whole story but is highlighted within certain events. The …show more content…
As the people on the bus are singing “We Shall Overcome”, Gene says to Moody, “C’mon, Annie Moody, wake up! Get the Spirit on!” (Moody, 288). Both oGene’s comment and the song serve as a source of hope to Anne Moody. Gene, so full of excitement, shows Moody hope that this march on Washington will be successful. One of the lines to “We Shall Overcome” reads “Oh, deep in my heart I do believe the truth will make us free some day” (Moody, 288). The whole song, and this line in particular, shows that there is hope for the future that Negros, especially in Mississippi, will gain their rights someday. Moody listens to this song and beings to think “I WONDER. I really WONDER.” (Moody, 289) which shows she really is thinking about everything that has happened in the past and what is going to happen in the future. If she would not have gotten on the bus and had this thought, it would show that she actually did give up her hope and did not believe it was possible for them to overcome the hardship they had been