Write one complete essay in response to one of the following questions. Both of them require a comparison and contrast of Goines's Black Girl Lost and Ansa's Baby in the Family. Indicate which option you’re choosing at the top of your essay, though the two approaches may overlap somewhat.

Above all, do lots of comparing and contrasting between characters, language, scenes, situations, and actions in the two texts. Don’t discuss the books separately from each other, except briefly. Always hold up an insight or example about one text to a corresponding insight or example from the other text. Summarize what you gain by comparing.

Option X (standard option). What sense do Black Girl Lost and Baby of the Family give of the range, variety, and dynamics of African American literature and culture in the United States in the twentieth century?

• Review the picture you had of African American literature before reading these books, then judge how these books fit, change, or enlarge that picture.
• Compare and contrast both literary and cultural elements of both stories. ("Literary" refers more to the style of the text and its effects on the reader. "Cultural" refers more to subject matter, the representations of African American culture.)
• What is the relationship between the literary style and the cultural scenario of Black Girl Lost compared to the literary style and cultural scenario of Baby of the Family? That is, how does the style of each story relate to what each book is about?
• Conclude by summarizing the picture of African American literature and culture that emerges from reading the two books together.

Stereotypes tend to have a negative connotation. Nonetheless, it is difficult to have grown up in the south in the late sixties and early seventies and be free of certain preconceived ideas, despite the changes wrought by integration. I remember tales of black people carrying knives and black men wanting white women in unacceptable ways, when, in truth, the women who were victimized were most likely black and the victimizers white. Black Girl Lost certainly portrays stereotypes about poor inner city black children. However, the twist in the story is that the characters are so engaging that we are drawn into their world, and find that we want them to succeed, even in the illegal pursuits. By the same token, Lena, in Baby of the Family, pulls us in the realm of spirits and magic. But, Lena and her family fit more comfortably into what the dominant culture deems acceptable. She belongs to a nurturing multi-generational family with middle class morals. Lena has the loving support of two parents, a grandmother and two brothers. Sandra and Chink, conversely, are children of the streets. Sandra does have a parent, but she has little concern for Sandra’s welfare, and Sandra is left to fend for herself at a very young age. Sandra and Chink have only each other. They become a family of two worldly children. Yet, both stories chronicle the experiences of exceptional people who happen to be of color.

From a literary standpoint, Baby of the Family seems to have the better claim. It is well written and full of marvelous metaphors and messages like the owl that invades the house, symbolizing a harbinger of death. There are colorful colloquial expressions like "I’d rather be in west hell with my back broke than have to depend on you all to do anything right." The language of Black Girl Lost is much less memorable, yet the story grabs you from the first and compels you to dive into the fray with Sandra. While Lena leads a sheltered life, and Sandra is so much more worldly, comparable to the character of Sarah in Baby of the Family, of the two, Sandra emerges as the more vulnerable. For all her toughness, she can’t protect herself from the brutality at the hands of her attackers. Lena is protected by almost everyone who knows her. The stories’ styles are mirrors of the lives of the characters. Lena’s life is one of a slow dawning of knowledge that seems to come with age. Sandra, has a fast life, first tossed about by the circumstances of her home life and then by finding the drugs and Chink. The story bursts forth like a tornado, carrying the reader along in its path. Baby of the Family is like a gentle breeze that floats over the reader with tiny flashes of enlightenment.

Moreover, enlightenment need not be a maelstrom in Baby of the Family. It has the safety net of familial nurturance and care. With dominant culture mores, Lena’s family lives a peaceful and prosperous existence. Though Nellie is given to emotional outbursts, the family truly loves each other and wants what is best for their loved ones. They go to a private school and later college as part of their existence. Theirs is a life of privilege, while Sandra and Chink must do what they will to survive. They have to fight for their lives and the little family they create, and the only people the two of them can trust are each other. Hence, the story moves with the frenetic passion of youth. Still, the two accounts speak of the black experience in America, and as such share commonalities.

The main characters of both stories seek to find a place for themselves. Lena gains her knowledge from the past when she speaks with the slave spirit of Rachel who says that she should remember that she belongs. Her knowledge is rounded into fruition when the spirit of her grandmother reiterates what Rachel tells her. She realizes that she "belongs" because of her special gift and not despite it. Sandra’s enlightenment comes when she learns to steal and finds financial security with the stolen drugs, and as a result, Chink’s love. By simultaneously experiencing the two texts, we are given understanding of the African American experience from a diverse and rich perspective, dispelling the myths and reinforcing stereotypes at the same time. Not all blacks are poor, but many of them use and sell drugs, for instance. The message evolves that the African American experience is rich and diverse. Nevertheless, even though the stories seem to be polar opposites, neither story ever removes itself from the theme of blackness inherent in both texts. And can we say that we celebrate the courage of Sandra any less than the spirituality of the past found in Lena? [PA 00]

These two novels are divergent in regards to time frame, family relationship, and class. The female protagonists are both young, African Americans but their lives are complete opposites. Before reading these texts, the only African American literature that I had read and studied have been slave narratives, such as Frederick Douglas' and Celia, A Slave. These texts showed me that even after emancipation, African Americans were still oppressed, first with segregation and then poverty.

Baby of the Family is a story of assimilation. Lena's family, even though they live in a segregated society, they are joining the white culture as much as possible. They are definitely middle class. In spite of being forced to live in the Black part of town, which is the poorest section, Lena's family owns a very nice house and have many luxury items, such as two sewing machines, appliances, and a piano. They are working hard and striving to achieve the dominant culture's "Dream." Lena and her family have created their own world that exists separate from the white world. In the novel, white people are almost non-existent and there is little confrontation with racism. The style of the novel is very mellow; it practically lulls the reader to sleep. One is given the feeling that assimilation is good and that the message to African Americans is not to "buck the system." The only example of resistance in Baby comes from the slave Rachel, who tells of her suicide to escape oppression. Before this, Lena did not know much about the lives of slaves; this lack of knowledge indicates her parents' desire to let the past be the past.

Black Girl Lost is a novel of resistance to the dominant culture. The literary style of this novel is very fast-paced, action-packed, and full of animal violence. This depicts the world of the African American ghetto. The style also gives the sense of a jungle, full of animal imagery (such as Chink being called an ape or tiger). The reader also sees people as predators, economically and sexually. Chink earns his living by preying on other people's addictions and Sandra is preyed upon sexually by two Black men. One also gets a picture of the jungle in Sandra's relationship with her mother. Sandra has to fight her mother in order to survive. An example of this is when Sandra gets some food from Sammy after working in his store. Sandra was eating the food when her mother came home. Sandra hurriedly ate the rest of the sandwiches but the cake and pop were still there when her mother entered the kitchen. Her mother snatches up the cake and eats it and then demands that Sandra give her the bottle of pop. Sandra runs around the table to stay away from her mother as she downs the soda. This struggle over food between Sandra and her mother reminds the reader of how the animals in the jungle fight over a fresh kill.

From reading these two texts together, the picture that emerges of

African American literature is that of the various ways African Americans have been oppressed and are still being oppressed. Lena is oppressed by segregation; Sandra by poverty. In both of these novels, women are subjugated to men. This is shown in Sandra's rape and her deference to Chink and also in Nellie's submission to her husband and his numerous affairs. [MAA 00]

Reading a great deal of African-American literature did not prepare me for the rich experience of delving into Black Girl Lost and Baby of the Family back to back. The contrast of style and content produces alternate images of struggle and contentment, poverty and affluence, resistance and assimilation, and survival and security. The vividness in which Sandra and Lena’s stories are told exemplifies the diversity of the African-American experience. However, similarities cannot be overlooked. The American Dream and Africanisms are blatant in both novels. Overall, reading these novels in the context of this class has broadened the scope of my perception of African-American culture in a dramatic fashion.

The style in which each of these novels is written is so radically differently, it is difficult to look for comparisons unless you delve under the surface. Goines’ style is jerky, awkward and very fast paced, while Ansa meanders along using language so fluid that it practically drips off the page. The plot in each novel is approached in a totally different fashion. Goines’ keeps the action and sense of threat going constantly. In contrast, Ansa chooses to let the plot develop slowly, enabling the reading to soak in the imagery, atmosphere, and characters. However, each book is chocked full of Africanisms. From Nellie exclaiming that the boys have "never even hit a lick at a snake" to Sandra telling Chink that if he does not close his mouth he will "end up catchin’ . . . a mouthful of flies," each novel uses language in a way that is distinctly African-American.

In addition to the seemingly opposite style each novel is written in, culturally they are dramatically different. As in "Black man’s Sonata," BGL is very Darwinian in nature. Human society is like the animal kingdom; a jungle. Chink is often referred to as having animal-like features, and the white officers in the scene when they were arrested call them both "animals." In contrast, in BOF Lena lives in a traditional society that protects her from being in a "survival of the fittest" world. There is also a connection to the past for Lena. Her family has lived in the South for generations, while Sandra wants a clean break from anything and everything connected to her brutal past.

The themes of assimilation and resistance also serve as stark cultural differences within the novels. BOF serves as an example of assimilation. Each generation shows increasing signs of becoming more like the dominant culture. While Grandmama feels that "colored folks and water don’t mix," the rest of the family has no such qualms. Nellie feels pressure to change Lena’s hair and gives up the superstitions about the caul. Moreover, chances are that Lena’s grandchildren would assimilate into American culture as much as African-Americans are able to. In stark contrast, Sandra and Chink are forced to resist dominant culture. Through their experiences there seems to be no other choice.

The American Dream with a ‘catch’ is seen more clearly in BGL, but is shown in both novels. Frank, in BOF, is perhaps the clearest example. He wanted a chance "fight and love and experience life" so badly that he contrived his dream. Lena even refers to Frank’s "dream self." Frank, being in a lower class is perhaps more in tune with the loss of his dream. Sandra and Chink tried to have the white American Dream. They had a home, money, and each other. However, dealing drugs forced them to keep a connection with the ghetto, thereby dashing any chance of truly ‘getting out.’ In one of the most touching scenes in the novel, Chink expresses his strong desire "to keep all the hardships in life away" from Sandra. He follows that thought by thinking "if only [I] could" (page 120). Chink is realistic enough to know that the American Dream will be ever-elusive for them.

The literary conventions used in each novel serve a distinct purpose. BGL is a quick read that is jam packed with drama and action. However, Goines’ successfully manipulates the text so that the reader is keenly aware of the powerful emotions and experiences that the characters are undergoing. Alternately, Ansa represses the plot to ensure that the reader fully understands the impact of each stage in Lena’s life. Each author chose styles that would best depict the story they were trying to tell. Goines would have been wholly unsuccessful writing a fast-paced action novel full of atmosphere and imagery. Alternately, Ansa would have been woefully neglectful if she has tried to include ‘action’ on every page.

Many people tend to forget that there are thousands of Sandra’s out there who are living, breathing human beings trying to survive. They are not just criminals or miscreants. There are people and reasons behind the statistics. BOF opened a beautiful world full of African American culture and custom. The lyrical style that Ansa uses to paint a picture of a rich, full culture is truly admirable. Overall, reading these novels together further enlightened me to the diversity of the African-American culture and experience. [SDu 00]

Reading "Black Girl Lost" (BGL) and "Baby of the Family" (Baby) side by side is like flipping a coin--both sides are a penny but have two very different sides or views. The range is almost extreme, the variety rich, and the dynamics run the gamut of whirlwind to breezy.

Being a minority myself, I have always felt empathy for the Black race.

Sometimes, I even wished I was black. Just as there are good and bad, traditional and untraditional of each race, I viewed the Black race, the same.

These books enlarged my view by holding the opposite upbringings so close into focus. I actually begin to understand Sandra's life and how different it can be for an individual growing up. Unexpectedly, I found enormous sympathy for Sandra. Seeing her as a lonely frightened, hungry, uncared for child, helped me to love her and even forgive her as she made wrong or poor choices. She needed a mother, a teacher someone who cared to help her make decisions. I want to be that person for someone if possible. It helps me to remember to look beyond the "angry black" girl.

The literary styles complement the cultural styles of the books, "BGL" explodes and "Baby" unfolds. Events in "BGL" happens very fast paced and there is no time for relaxing or being soft. "Baby" goes slowly and allows time to grow close to the family. "BGL" is like a tumbleweed, rolling around and growing no roots. "Baby" is like the acorn, being gently watered with tradition and growing roots like a Redwood tree.

In "BGL" there are no family traditions of meals, family pictures, and food. Poor Sandra is luck to eat at all. "Baby is rich with traditions. The meals are the same with "dad" asking the same questions each meal and all the rules being followed.

Sandra had to survive on her on and lived in a very different culture than Lena. Sandra lived in a culture that living the American is just that--a dream. Lena's family had a large home, children in private school, and ran a family business that even allowed an "extended" family. Sandra depended on herself. Lena had parents, grandparents, brothers, and people from "The Place" to keep her safe and sheltered.

In "BGL" the culture seems harsh and unforgiving. The language reflects this in the rape scene, "Goddamn it, bitch, . . . we don't want no story." (75) Baby is an expression of a much softer language. When Lena talks of her Mom cursing, she says, ". . . Nellie cursed in what Lena saw as curlicues and arabesques." (112)

"BGL" tells a tale of survival. There is no system that is looking out after her. She survives by learning the hard way and eventually acting in a way that alienates her from following the American Dream in a "legal" way. Lena on the flip side of the coin is living the American Dream as best as a Black family could at that time.

The language and pace of each story enhance the story telling of each girl's story. Each individual, each family, each race has a story to tell. By reading these stories a deeper understanding, a deeper growth can occur. Fear and ignorance can be replaced by understanding and knowledge. By reading these two books together, it paints a bright and rich picture. There is not only one way to be African American There are many ways to be an individual of any race. [BJJ 00]

[section on style] The style of Black Girl Lost and Baby of the Family relate to the theme of the stories, in that its literary style resembles its cultural style. Goines's book reads extremely fast and it is simple, to the point. Think about Sandra's life. Her life on the streets in very fast-paced and she lives a very simple life.

Sandra doesn't have the luxuries that Lena's parents are able to provide for her. She is ashamed of her clothing and Lena is always presentable, with her hair combed nicely. Sandra's life is led day to day. She wonders what to eat and is also pushing herself to go on, much like the text fast paced style.

In Baby of the Family, the style is more complex and it takes more time to read. This seems like it is in place because Lena has time to play around with Sarah and contemplate about the things that she sees. Her life is slower than Sandra's. If Sandra stayed in one place long enough she'd almost be in danger.

I feel very strongly that the authors thought about this very thing in deciding the style of the text. [MG 00]

Both of the two texts give a wide range, variety and dynamics of African American literature and culture in the United States in the 20th century. Sandra, who lived a harsh, cold, and cruel life, had to fight to survive, while Lena, who lived in a nice home with parents who loved and protected her, never had to worry about whether she was going to eat that night like Sandra. Today our society is split between girls like Sandra and Lena. There are those who don't have parents who take care of them or any parents at all like Sandra. But there are also many loving and caring African American homes with parents who would do anything to protect their children like Lena.

Before reading these books I had never read any African American novels, only a few essays and poems and Frederick Douglass's narrative. Most of what I've read dealt with slavery. And now after reading these modern novels, my picture of Af. Am. Lit. was enlarged to illustrate how different many African Americans are amongst themselves. Some live in poverty, while others live in an upper-middle class lifestyle. [BC 00]