Why do you think Gloria Naylor discusses at such length the "close-knit network" of family that surrounded her when she grew up? Why, for example, might she have mentioned that her grandparents owned the building where they lived, that the visiting adults worked in "factories, laundries, and shipyards," and that children were restricted from hearing certain conversations? How does Naylor's choice of details show her awareness of the reader?
RESPOND BY 8:00 a.m., TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Gloria was trying to explain that many times, words have different meanings when they are used in different contexts or by different people. She starts off by telling a story of how a boy in her third grade class called her a "nigger" and immediately knew that the word was meant to hurt her in some way. However, she goes on to say how she has heard that word before in her own home with her family but it was never used in a derogatory context. This is the reason Gloria goes into depth about how close knit her family is. She wants to show that they are all very close and do not want to insult anyone in this family, hence why the word has a lighter meaning when they use it. For example, Gloria says that her family often used "nigger" to describe a person who accomplished something even though he was African American. This positive use of the word makes it seem as though its meaning is not as harsh as maybe the third grade boy intended it to be. As to why the children were not allowed to listen to particular conversations, I believe it to be that the adults, even if they had good intentions for their words, still didn't want the children repeating them. I think Naylor's detail choice shows that she wasn't expecting her readers to have a full understanding of where she grew up. She felt it was necessary to describe the world from which she came. So the bottom line is that depending on the environment and the context where a word is used, it can mean two completely different things.
ReplyDeleteGloria Naylor describes the relationship between her family members, and how close they are, because she is aware of the reader. She is aware that the reader does not know about the environment in which she claimed the word “nigger” was not derogatory, but complementary. Therefore, she describes the loving, close-knit environment in which it was said- to convince the reader that such a term is just that- only a term, and that it is only as strong as the feelings it invokes. This is also why she described the elders within her family to excuse the youngsters when they were having conversations and using words that they felt were inappropriate for the young to hear. Gloria makes it a point that not once did they excuse the children when they used the word “Nigger” – because, to them - in that particular context, its definition was not bad. When she is with her family, it takes on a new definition, and invokes a feeling of pride and accomplishment. However, when her classmate uses the term, it invokes a feeling of oppression and harm- because its definition is different in separate circumstances.
ReplyDeleteDepending on who, where and when a particular word is used, it can have various meanings. Gloria Naylor strongly depicts the "close-knit network" among family members and friends she often came into contact with. The audience, as well as the context, in which the word "nigger" is being used signifies its meaning. When used in her home among the clamour and gossip of the adults, the word gained a sense of strength or manliness. It earned itself a title claiming a positive conotation. She describes, however, the meaning and hurtfullness of the word when used by whites, typically found to be derogatory or critical. I believe that Gloria Naylor chooses to detail this particular situation the way that she does to provide awareness to the reader of where she is coming from, the meaning of the word in her eyes, and how the word has come gained dits meaning throughout her life.
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ReplyDeleteIn this short essay Gloria is trying to describe that a certain word, or words, mean different things depending on the context, environment, or people using them. Gloria begins her story by discussing an experience in the third grade with the word “nigger.” Gloria describes the event of when a young boy called her “nigger”. She declared that she knew this word had been meant in a derogatory or slanderous way. However, when she goes home, she is surrounded by this word. This term, nevertheless, is not said in the same offensive context as it was in school. This is where Gloria begins to explain or describe her close-knit environment. At home the author clarifies that the meaning of this word is used to mean a hardworking, strong, and as Jessica stated “manly” person. This is clearly shown as Gloria states “ in their mouths it became the pure essence of manhood-a disembodied force that channeled their past history of struggle and present survival against the odds…”Naylor mentions the building, the visiting adults, and the restricted conversations to show the meaning from her point of view, or even the African American point of view. She ends her story restating the degree or different meaning of the word as she states “ …the people in my grandmother’s living room took a word that whites used to signify worthlessness or degradation and rendered it impotent.”
ReplyDeleteGloria Naylor goes into great depth when she describes her family life. There is a significant difference in the meaning of the word depending on the situation. When she is at home and in her little safe haven consisting of family, friends, and familiar settings, the word takes on a positive connotation. In this comfortable setting, the word was just another word. She never questioned its meaning because she grew up with the word. This is contrasted when she is confronted with the use of the word by the little boy. All of a sudden, she experiences the use of this word outside her “close-knit network” and she is taken aback. She finally thinks about the word and is naive to the fact that it could take on a negative connotation. She was likely restricted from certain conversations to try to keep her happy and innocent. Naylor uses certain details because she understands that the reader may not understand certain concepts like all her examples showing how the word can be used positively.
ReplyDeleteI think Gloria Naylor went into great detail in describing where the conversations she wrote about took place so the reader could understand how the word of question was being used. Naylor was aware of the fact that not everyone who reads her essay came from the same backround. When many people (especially sheltered white kids from Mahopac) hear the word, "nigger," they are quick to assume that it is being used in the derogatory sense. Naylor was trying to get across to the reader that "nigger," and all words, can take on different meanings, dependent on the language used to express them. In order to prove her point, she had to break the assumption that "nigger" is always derogatory. She describes the close-knit nature of the downstairs apartment so the reader in not caught up in confusion when she writes about how "nigger" was often used as a word of praise or respect. The detailed background Naylor sets allows the reader to more clearly see her thesis in her writing.
ReplyDeleteGloria Naylor describes the different meanings of the word "nigger" to portray how one word can take on many different meanings. Her family lives in a very "close-knit network," and she goes into such detail about them, because as the reader, we are unaware of how the family relates to the usage of the word nigger. She mentions her grandparents own the building complex to convey why the usage of the word is not offensive. Naylor had grown up with the word being said in everyday language, but it was not until she encountered a classmate calling her a nigger that it had her wondering what the word actually meant. She finally decided to ask her mother the words true meaning, and realized she was restricted from conversations with the adults to allow her to keep her purity.
ReplyDeleteGloria Naylor wrote this essay with a purpose, to describe her point of view. She was trying to prove that one word can have many different meanings when used in different contexts. Gloria used the example of when she was in class with another young boy and papers were being returned. Although unaware of the true meaning of the word “nigger”, she was able to conclude that it was meant in a derogatory and hurtful manner; by the way the boy uttered the word. After the description of the initial incident, she then begins to describe the dynamics of her family and how it is a “close-knit network”. She explains how her grandparents owned the building where her family had lived and that it was routine after a hard laborious week that the family would relax on the weekend together. Her family included many more members than just the immediate; uncles, aunts, cousins and friends all were present at these weekly get-togethers. By explaining her family dynamics, this gives proof that Gloria was aware of the readers. By describing her family she was prepping the reader for her explanation of her family’s usage of the word nigger. She states that in her family and culture it is used as positive word, explaining and putting meaning to many different things. Although her family did use the word in a complementary meaning, the children were still excused from the conversations when it was “adult talk”. Gloria Naylor wrote this essay in a way to describe that although her family and friends use the word “nigger” it is in a positive way and should not be used in the derogatory meaning that most people associate with it.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Gloria Naylor mentioned her "close- knit network" that surrounded her because through this network she had heard the word "nigger" but did not get a true understanding of word. For example, in paragraph six, she says nigger used in the singular form when applied to a male was giving him gratitude for an accomplishment. When she was called a nigger she did not know the true meaning. From Naylor listening to conversations that she was not supposed to be, she had heard different meanings. She only understood that from the assorted friends that had visited there were various meanings. Naylor recognizes the reader by her first person perspective.
ReplyDeleteGloria Naylor goes in to depth about her “close-knit network” family in order to show her awareness of the reader. Since she is a child, her family believes it is important to exclude her from certain conversations, but Naylor still manages to listen on certain conversations. In these conversations she hears the word “nigger,” used in various ways. Her family members use the word to describe a man of “strength, intelligence, or drive.” Thus, Naylor becomes accustomed to hearing nigger by her family, until a boy in her class uses it in a derogatory way to degrade her. Naylor’s choice of words displays that she is aware of the reader because she understands that a word such as “nigger” is perceived differently, depending on who uses the word and its intent.
ReplyDeleteI think Gloria Naylor goes in such detail in discussing the "close-knit network" family in order to show how puzzled she was in hearing the word. Being an innocent child, her family looks out for her well being. When an adult conversation is about to be taken place they make sure she leaves the room so her innocent mind doesn't get hurt. She goes into great detail about her family and friends to prove a point in when the word was exposed to her it was done differently than how the boy used it. For the first time in her life it was used towards her. The reason in emphasizing the family and how they used the N word around her, was to show that she was now exposed to a whole new meaning of the N word. Her innocents was broken after hearing that use of the N word.
ReplyDeleteGloria Naylor describes in detail the environment in which she lived as a young girl, and how one word can have two completely different meanings. In the third grade, a boy calls her a "nigger" and she understands that the word means bad and hurtful things. Yet, at home, she lives in a "close-knit network" and sometimes hears the word being used by the adults. In this context, the word describes strong, determined people. The adults keep the children away from their conversations in order to keep them from being exposed to some of the language, and preserve the innocence of the younger children. Naylor goes into detail in order to tell the reader of her childhood and her loving, close relationships with her family. "Nigger" is used in two different ways, but Gloria realizes that the word only means what the person saying it wants it to mean. There can be such a difference in the definition of a word based on how someone looks at it and from what perspective it is being viewed.
ReplyDeleteI believe Gloria Naylor greatly described where the conversations she wrote about took place so the reader could understand in what context the word was being used. Naylor was aware of the fact that not everyone who reads her essay came from the same background. When many people hear the word, "nigger," they are quick to assume that it is being used in the derogatory sense. Naylor was trying to get across to the reader that "nigger," and all words, can take on different meanings, dependent on the language used to express them. In order to prove her point, she had to break the assumption that "nigger" is always derogatory. She describes the "close-knit network" of the downstairs apartment so the reader in not caught up in confusion when she writes about how "nigger" was often used as a word to praise or respect others. The detailed background Naylor sets allows the reader to clearly see how one word can be used in many different ways.
ReplyDeleteI think that Gloria Naylor discusses the "close-knit network" of her family because of the fact that this could contribute to the many different things that she hears and picks up but inevitably misinterprets for years to come. She states that the visiting adults worked in "factories, laundries, and shipyards" and that children were restricted from hearing particular conversations probably to let the reader know that her family was brought up under dissimilar conditions to the majority of Americans. Naylor's choice of details is significant because it allows the reader to recognize how different her perception of the "n-word" could be in comparison to middle-class caucasian citizens or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteGloria describes the "close-knit network" of family she lives with in order to exemplify the many connotations that the word "nigger" has for black people as well as white people. To some it is a term of endearment and to others it is a compliment of manliness. The black man has made that word his own by embracing it rather than shunning it, that way it can't hurt him. Naylor is also aware of her audience and her audience's expectations. When she says that the adults worked in "factories, laundries, and shipyards," these are low-paying jobs that one would expect a poor person to work. She also explains how children weren't allowed to hear about things like sex or death, but when it comes to the n-word, it was perfectly fine. This made the word seem like not such a big deal since it was allowed to be said in good company. When the third grade boy says it, it gets through to Gloria as something that should not be said by a young white boy, however she is curious as to why, seeing as how the word is harmless most of the time.
ReplyDeleteWhen Gloria Naylor heard the boy in her third grade class call her a "nigger" she was puzzled because she knew the boy said it with intent to hurt her but she always thought it meant something else. Whenever Naylor was around her "close-knit family" her relatives would use the word "nigger" but she knew it wasn't being used to hurt anyone, she saw it being used as a way to show manhood and "survival against the odds". Naylor realizes that the black man has embarced the word "nigger" and made it so it doesn't hurt when said but means the opposite. Her definiton of "nigger" shows her understanding of the rader because she defines it when being used in the hateful, racist way, which most people attribute the word to. But she also defines it in a new way that the reader is unaware of.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Gloria Naylor writes in a way that allows the reader to understand the conversation better.By doing this, she appeals to all different kinds of people. Even those who are not of the same background as her. Naylor thinks that the word "nigger", often used in a negative way toward blacks, does not always have to be insulting. Naylor believes the meaning depends on how the word is said and used. Naylor beleives that the word "nigger" may be used to show manhood as well. In some languages, the word is considred an actual praise. The author effectively shows how a word can have several different meanings, despite with many people believe.
ReplyDeleteGloria Naylor writes about her close-knit network family because it shows that she comes from a family that works hard and is concerned about each other. Her whole family works for what they get and are proud of that. This is important because that is contrary to the negative meaning of the word nigger. When her family uses the word nigger it is in a positive way that combats the negative meaning.
ReplyDeleteGloria Naylor depicts the "close-knit network," of the African American community in her essay to show how it is isolated. She shows how the n word is perceived by blacks in this close community and whites outside this community. When used amongst blacks, it shows kinship. When used amongst whites outside this close community to describe blacks, it is meant as an insult to African Americans. By showing the two different perspectives, Naylor is able to engage black and non-black readers.
ReplyDeleteGloria Naylor writes this piece in a way that is easy for the reader to understand. By writing in this manner she can appeal to many different audiences. She thinks that the nigger is more than an insult that people used to call their slaves in pre industrialized America, and that it has lots of meaning behind it. Laylor thinks that it is a word that has a different meaning that many people think, and when she and her family use it, they use it for praise.
ReplyDeleteThe "close-knit network" of family was discussed to show the other meaning of the word "nigger." It is given a sense of manliness as opposed to having a negative connotation. This was shown when one a classmate called the girl a nigger and she realizes it's a word meant to hurt. This expresses the stereotypical view of the word by most white Americans. Naylor's choice of details shows that she is aware of the reader because in the book the word nigger is perceived differently by people just like in the real world.
ReplyDeleteIn the passage, Gloria tries to explain how the same word can have a variety of meanings based on its context and tone it’s said in. I think that Gloria discusses how close her family is in such length so she could give the reader the idea that the word was used to not be derogatory. The reader also exemplified that adults in the building would make sure no children were around during certain conversations that had bad words in them. The adults would say the word nigger in front of kids though because it was not seen as a bad word. On the other hand, today, the word nigger can be taken to be a very harmful and derogatory word. Gloria shows how when kids in school use the word nigger it can have many negative effects, but at home, it is seen as nothing. The author details this passage the way she does because she wants to show the reader how she feels about the word nigger.
ReplyDeleteI think Gloria Naylor describes the “close-knit network” of family to describe how she grew up and to show the original context of the word in the way that she learned it while growing up. Naylor may have mentioned that she grew up in the grandparent’s house with numerous other people and that some of their jobs included working in factories, laundries, and shipyards to show that they were a very close family with little money. Excluding children from conversations could have been a sign that the adults were talking of some bad news, which seemed to have happened a lot. I think all of these minute details help show that the author is very aware of her upbringings and wants to show that to the audience. It helps to contrast different possible meanings from the same word, taken in alternative contexts. One heard inside her grandparents’ house, and one in the classroom in 3rd grade.
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