Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Coming of Age in Mississippi, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Intersection of Racism and Poverty
Loss of Innocence
The Importance of Community
Gender and Racism
Religion and Hypocrisy
Summary
Analysis
A friend of Anne’s warns her that she is “too black” to go to Tougaloo, telling her that most of the students are light-skinned and wealthy. While she works at the restaurant over the summer, Anne tries to transfer to Louisiana State University (LSU). However, when she learns that LSU had recently been integrated, she becomes “afraid that those white students would murder [her] in class” and goes through with her plans to go to Tougaloo. Anne arrives at Tougaloo, and seeing darker-skinned Black students among the more light-skinned ones comforts her. When she hears about the talent show for freshmen and new students, Anne pulls together a three-person gymnastics act with two new friends. Their performance impresses and excites the crowd, and they win the talent show.
Anne’s fear that she is too dark-skinned to fit in at Tougaloo recalls the colorist dynamics of her community growing up. However, her fear of racist violence at LSU demonstrates that many integrated institutions were still not safe for Black students. Her comfort at meeting darker-skinned students at Tougaloo emphasizes the importance of community solidarity for one’s well-being. Anne’s victory in the talent show also re-establishes her as a valued community member and is essential for her self-image as a student at Tougaloo.
Themes
As classes start, Anne is nervous because most of her teachers are white. However, her roommate Trotter reassures her that the white teachers are from the North or Europe rather than the South, and that Northern and European white people are not like Southern white people. Though she starts off strong, Anne’s grades start to slip when she starts dating Dave Jones. Eventually, she breaks up with Dave after he tries to force himself on her.
Anne’s reassurance at the fact that her professors are not Southern white people demonstrates the deep racism embedded in the South. On another note, she showcases her strength and self-worth by breaking up with Dave, whose attempt to force himself on her ultimately reminds readers of the safety issues women face when navigating dating.
Themes
Anne learns that Trotter is the secretary of the NAACP chapter at Tougaloo. Trotter encourages her to join the organization and canvass for them. Though Anne is flooded with memories of Samuel O’Quinn’s murder, she knows that she is going to join anyway.
Anne’s decision to join the NAACP despite her fearful memories of Samuel O’Quinn reflect her commitment to racial justice. Trotter’s encouragement also shows the importance of community members encouraging one another to fight for justice.
Themes
