Bone Black

If I said that any of the other short stories we’ve read were my favorite, I lied. This by far was the best story I’ve read this semester. I loved the poetic flow of "Bone Black." The name itself was very symbolic showing that the author, Bell Hooks, put much thought into this story. To me "Bone Black" is symbolic of the color of bruises that the mother endured in the story. The way in which the narrator switched point of views throughout the story was different but it worked. Something else that was different was that quotation marks were not used when someone said something, a capital letter was just put in the middle a sentence.

This story is like real life and I’m sure many can relate to it. The jealous husband comes home mad because he suspects his wife has been cheating on him. I think that this displays low self-esteem in the man, especially when the situation is not true and he has simply jumped to conclusions. What was interesting to me is that the children never heard their parents fuss or fight before. They plainly heard him complain and prove himself to his wife when he thought he could do a better job at something. Hooks pulls the reader so deeply into this story that I could feel the sincerity of the daughter. I completely understood how she felt and her reasoning was genuine. I know how it feels to not want to see someone on his or her deathbed, even though it may appear disrespectful. But, honestly, "What kind of last memory is that to have of a loved one." I think one should remember the good times they’ve had with person.

In chapter 51, it evidently shows how the witnessing of the girls’ mother being beaten has influenced her now. She no longer has respect for her mother because of how she let her husband beat on her and did not take a stand. She was also oblivious to the feelings and concern that her daughter had for her. When the daughter says, "I do not have a mother" it is a monumental moment. It shows the love and hate of their relationship, and their feeling con no longer be controlled and kept in. The dream at the end of the story is beautifully written out. But the outcome is horrible, but oh so true. Men are let free everyday after beating on their wives. It showed how manipulative a person can be, and how one must look deeper than the outside appearance, after all looks can be deceiving.