Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Piecing Me Together, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Intersectionality, Identity, and Discrimination
The Power of Language
Mentorship, Opportunity, and Dignity
Friendship
Summary
Analysis
Jade feels extremely dressed up, but she’s concerned about her tall heels. Maxine helps Jade with her makeup and then she does her own. Jade is in the living room when E.J. gets home, and he asks if Jade has a date. When Maxine comes out of Jade’s bedroom dressed up, E.J. asks if this is a double date. Jade points out that it’s silly that she’d only get dressed up for a guy and she tells him that she dressed up for herself. At the fundraiser, Jade is thrilled that she doesn’t feel so out of place—she feels like a celebrity since everyone wants to talk about her work. She talks for a while with Gina, one of the Woman to Woman board members. A former painter, Gina gives Jade a business card and she offers to talk about college with Jade in the future.
As Jade’s confidence grows, she’s able to call E.J. out and make him see that she’s taking care of herself by dressing up. When he suggests that women only dress up for men, he shows that he thinks of women as existing for men or in relation to men—but, as Jade points out, there are plenty of reasons why women dress up that have nothing to do with men. That Jade doesn’t feel out of place at the event is testament to Maxine’s hard work of getting to know Jade. Because they trust each other, Maxine was able to effectively prep Jade for the event.
Themes
An expensive-looking couple walks up. They ask Jade several questions about Woman to Woman, and Jade feels a bit like the zoo animal Mom was talking about. She tries to use it to her advantage, mentioning that she’s already learned she can make her own opportunities and use her voice to ask for what she wants. The man starts to say that Jade is impressively articulate and well-spoken, but Gina angrily interrupts him. Gina notes that all the Woman to Woman mentees are talented and smart. Maxine steps up and backs Gina up, and a server offers everyone stuffed mushrooms. The awkward moment dissolves when Sabrina makes a short speech.
The couple is subtly racist toward Jade, implying that it’s unusual for a young black woman to be talented and well-spoken. In response, Gina is an example of what the book suggests white people (like her and like Sam) should do when they witness acts of racism: call it out as unacceptable. Gina’s defense enables Jade to feel as though this is a successful night rather than a demeaning experience of being a “zoo animal.” With this, the novel shows how gatekeepers and people in power—like Gina—must do the work of welcoming minority individuals like Jade and making sure that environments are safe and comfortable for them.
Themes
At the end of the event, the winner of the silent auction approaches Jade. His watch makes Jade think that he’s extremely wealthy. He introduces himself as Andrew, says he loves Jade’s piece, and asks if she has more pieces like it. Jade says that she made this one especially for the event, but when Maxine shoots her a look, Jade tells Andrew about a series she’s working on about police brutality as well as about her pieces concerning York. Andrew gives Jade a business card and he instructs Jade to email him if she ever needs help with anything. Other guests also give Jade business cards, and Maxine tells Jade to follow up on all of them tomorrow. When Sabrina calls Maxine away, Jade thinks about all the people who don’t know her but who want to support her. She feels seen and heard.
This event gives Jade an opportunity that she never dreamed of. Now, she understands that there are plenty of people out there, like Andrew and Gina, who are willing to see her as an artist with something to say—not just as a poor black girl. She’s finally being recognized for all the things she’d like others to see, which is an extremely validating experience for her. This also shows Jade what can happen when she speaks up for herself. Because she’s willing to communicate with Andrew, he offers his help—and Jade can call on him in the future.
Themes
