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 says she knows that Sam isn’t her friend anymore because they don’t ride the bus together, Sam doesn’t choose Jade as her partner in Spanish, and Sam holds in her laughter rather than sharing it with Jade.
Now that Jade has spent several months with a friend at St. Francis, it’s devastating to lose that connection. Jade is back to being the lone black girl, with no one to relate to for much of her day.
Themes
After the next Woman to Woman workshop, Sabrina calls Jade aside and she asks if Jade would like to contribute an art piece for their benefit auction. Jade is thrilled. Maxine walks Jade home and she comes inside. Jade tells Mom about the auction and Mom is immediately suspicious. Jade points out that this will give her exposure and it’ll help her give back to the organization. Mom turns to Maxine and asks her opinion, saying she doesn’t want Jade to feel like a zoo animal. Maxine assures Mom that it’ll be fine and she points out that it’ll be good for Jade to talk about her work. Mom smiles and says that “our” artist is doing big things. Mom returns to the kitchen and she asks if Maxine has been practicing her cooking. Maxine starts to make excuses and Mom calls her back to the kitchen for another lesson. They talk about the fundraiser.
By contributing a piece for the benefit auction, Jade finally gets her wish: she can be someone with something to offer others. This opportunity is especially appealing to Jade because it allows her to help herself, as well as other young women like her who will now be able to benefit from the program. Mom’s concerns are valid, however, and they reflect the fact that some attendees may see Jade as an anomaly and a point of interest, just because of the color of Jade’s skin and her poverty. In other words, they may see her as a poor black girl in need of help, not as an artist giving back to her community.
Themes
