Recitatif is the only short story published by Toni Morrison. The story focuses upon the relationship between two girls who are named Twyla and Roberta, beginning at the time of the orphanage and continuing to adulthood. Morrison explores themes of maternity, social status and race throughout the story. However, one important detail observed in Morrison’s text is that she does not mention the race of the two main characters. In fact, Morrison tries her best to keep their race ambiguous through their descriptions and ideals.
Toni Morrison’s short story is similar to a story that I have read a while ago as well. Recitatif is quite similar to a novel written by Chris Crowe which is known as Mississippi Trial, 1955.
The novel Mississippi Trial,1955 is about a murder of a child named Emmett Till. The narrator of the story is a white boy named Hiram who revisits his old town in Mississippi where he finds out that his childhood friend, Emmett Till has been murdered. The novel is based on the true story of the racially motivated murder of Emmett Till.
The two texts are similar and different to one another in many ways. In Recitatif, Twyla and Roberta’s relationships evolve and are challenged throughout their lives from their first introduction to one another in the orphanage and then to them talking in the restaurant as adults at the end. Hiram and Emmett’s relationship is fairly similar to Twyla and Roberta’s. Hiram and Emmett both met at a young age and they both befriended one another. The idea of race prevails in their relationship just like in Recitatif. Hiram’s and Emmett’s relationship changes throughout the story but unlike Twyla and Roberta whose relationship change due to the events of “bussing” and being apart from one another, Hiram’s and Emmett’s relationship change due to Hiram’s grandfather dislike their friendship and their distance from each other for a few years. Family plays a vital role in Mississippi Trial, 1955 unlike in Recitatif.
Although Recitatif isn’t as dark as Mississippi Trial the idea of race connects both of these stories since the two main characters in each story are from different races and both of their worlds collide as they begin and continue their friendship. However, Morrison attempts to keep race ambiguous while Chris Crowe keeps it prominent and obvious throughout his story.
-Sadat Tashin
