Contains depictions of discriminatory behaviour.

Motherhood 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.

A moment where our expectations are reversed is called what?

She believes 'mother' and 'mama' are informal terms.

She does not think that Lula Ann is her own daughter.

She feels she should be recognised for her kind and caring characteristics.

She thinks people will be surprised if they hear a black child with dark skin call a black parent with light skin, 'mother'.

Why does Sweetness want Lula Ann to call her 'Sweetness'?

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'?

What is 'the practice of discriminating against people based on their race or ethnic background' called?

Instead of a motherly figure to Lula Ann, Sweetness is more of a what?

'[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.

Content guidance

Contains depictions of discriminatory behaviour.

Adult supervision suggested.

Starter Quiz