Brother I'm Dying: Quotes and Questions #1

Quote #1: "But the thing I truly wanted I was afraid to ask for, like when I would finally see him (father) and my mother again." Page 23 and 24.

This quote shows how the moving of a family member to another country can devestate another family member. In this one chapter, Edwidge is explaining how when her father left for a better life in the U.S.. They way the author describes the horrible experiences make the idea even more horrific. She was to afraid to ask that her father would even come back to see his own daughter. Edwidge was to scared to ask for his return, so she would cover it up by saying she wanted a typewriter for Christmas or gold earings for her birthday.

This quote shows the true nature of Edwidge. She is not able to say one thing, or something that she wants. In a later chapter, when she wants to tell her parents that she is pregnent, she is too afraid, and waits until they would only be able to have a shorter talk.

Question #1: Why do you believe that Edwidge is too afraid to tell her father that she wants him to come home?

Quote #2: "Answering a final boarding call, my mother hurried away, her tear-soaked faced buried in her hands. She couldn't bear to look back." Page 57

This part of the story shows how Edwidge's mother also decides to make the same choice as Edwidge's father, and decides to leave Haiti for the U.S.. It even shows how hard it may be for some to leave their past life behind. This event made a young Bob, Edwidge's brother, have crying tantrum on the floor while coughing up phlegm onto his face. It made Edwidge hold her mother's legs with her tiny arms and she never let go. Along with Edwidge's mother crying out gallons of tears, it was a very sad event for the whole family.

This part of the story was very well written. The author was able to get me almost as sad as she was durng this event. It makes you wonder, why did Edwidge's mother leave in the first place?

Question #2: Why do YOU think her mother left?