Contains depictions of discriminatory behaviour.

A reflection on love and guilt in 'Sweetness'

English

Contemporary Short Stories (2/2): Sweetness by Toni Morrison

Discriminatory language, behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

'[He] looked at the baby like she was from the planet Jupiter.'

'[He] treated Lula Ann like she was a stranger—more than that, an enemy.'

'I told her to call me “Sweetness” instead of “Mother” or “Mama.”'

Which of the following is an example of a metaphor?

He looks at her like she is from 'the planet Jupiter' and thinks she has come to attack him.

He sees Lula Ann as an 'enemy' meaning she could be a threat.

Why does Louis feel a sense of fear when he first sees Lula Ann?

What does 'Sweetness' want her daughter to call her?

A moment where our expectations are proved correct.

A moment where our expectations are reversed.

A moment where our expectations are shown to be partly correct.

We expect someone called Sweetness to be kind and caring and she is.

We expect someone called Sweetness to be kind and caring and Sweetness is to some people but not others.

We expect someone called Sweetness to be kind and caring but Sweetness is not.

Which term is defined as 'the action or state of setting someone or something apart from others'?

Which term is defined as 'unjust or harmful treatment of other people based on a perceived difference'?

Which term is defined as 'prejudice or discrimination against individuals who are dark skinned, typically, but not exclusively, among people of the same ethnic or racial group'?

A comparison between two different things, usually made by stating something is something else.

Giving human feelings and actions to an object or an idea.

Where one uses ‘like’ or ‘as’ to compare two different things and show a common quality between them.

Which statement best describes Louis' reaction to Lula Ann, the baby?

What is 'It broke our marriage to pieces' an example of?

Content guidance

Contains depictions of discriminatory behaviour.

Adult supervision suggested.

This lesson will soon be taken down.

A reflection on love and guilt in 'Sweetness'

Lesson outcome

Content guidance