Self-consciousness is an essential part of being a positive member of society. Those who can recognize unhealthy or unwanted patterns in their own behavior are oftentimes more liked and accepted by those around them. However, in order to be a positive human being, one must recognize and control their own thoughts. Toni Morrison’s “Recitatif” helps to expose subconscious thoughts about race in the reader through the incorporation of stereotypes. The short story also takes the reader through the journey of Twyla and Roberta as they too are confused and make assumptions about another character’s race. By making Twyla and Roberta’s races unclear in the story yet giving both characters stereotypes, “Recitatif” attempts to expose the reader’s own …show more content…
Morrison’s incorporation of stereotypes when describing the characters and their situations causes the reader to examine their own view of race. These stereotypes work in “compelling readers to interrogate their own suppositions about racial signifiers” (Benjamin 87). Some of these stereotypes are more blatant than others. Regardless, they are all contributions to the reader’s view of the characters and their own notions of race. One of the less obvious stereotypes included when Twyla described how her mother’s “idea of supper was popcorn and a can of Yoo-Hoo.” Twyla felt as though “Hot mashed potatoes and two weenies was like Thanksgiving” (Morrison 1). Typically, poorer individuals spend less time on things like home-cooked meals. Minorities account for a larger portion of those in the poorer economic classes, influencing the reader to label Twyla as being a minority. Another overlooked aspect of racial stereotypes by the reader is class, even though class is probably the largest difference between the average person of different races. When Twyla and Roberta met each other in a supermarket, Roberta “was dressed to