"1937" and "Wall of Fire Rising" Notes

"1937"

Doll maybe symbolizing youth and innocence being taken as her mother dies
Extreme internal Haitian political turmoil, violence death
"Respectable wrinkles" respect elders is important
The narrator is proud of her city and it's beauty
"The Americans taught us how to build prisons" interesting relationship of power/influence between Haiti and America
Imagery of the prison is frightening, if this girl is holding a doll she must be young, therefore I can only imagine the fear she feels, or maybe she feels none since she's grown up in violence
Interesting how the girl knew her mother was physically still alive, though she claimed her to be dead at the beginnings of the chapter
The doll means something important to the mother
The girl will use the doll to remember her mother when she dies
Jacqueline, a memory of her mother?
Tears, water symbolism of peace?

"Wall of Fire Rising"

Wall of fire rising symbolizing turmoil rising
The European perspective seems to displease Haitians
Feet and growth are reoccurring themes of the chapter, maybe movement??
The writing shows a negative connotation towards arabs and Lebanese, does this reflect something in history
This story contrasts the story before in the themes of family and youth
This chapter displays different gender roles in comparison to the young girl and mother of chapter "1937"
Heartbeat- nice display of their relationship
The imagery and description of the scenery within all of these stories thus far, especially this chapter about the sunset, show that Danticat truly believes Haiti is beautiful and displays it through her writing.