Let's Go to the Movies!

Summary

A year later or so, Maya and Bailey's father came to Stamps and took them to live with their mother in St. Louis. There, they were introduced to their aunt, uncles, grandparents and their mother's boyfriend, Mr. Freeman. Maya had a problem with Mr. Freeman and he was set on a trial. He was imprisoned but the same day, he was released and then found dead. Maya and Bailey were sent back to Stamps and Maya enjoyed returning to her home town with Momma and her uncle. One day, Maya was in the Store when a woman named Mrs. Flowers walked in and said that she wanted Maya to go with her to her house. They had a nice talk, read books and ate cookies there. One night, Bailey returned very late home and he told Maya that he had been on the movies and seen a woman in a movie that looked like their mother. Maya and Bailey went often to the movies since then, just to have an image of their mother.


Quote 1

"I was liked, and what a difference it made. I was respected not as Mrs. Henderson's grandchild or Bailey's sister but for Marguerite Johnson." (p. 101)

When I read this quote, I realized how important it was for Maya to be represented and appreciated by who she really was. She wanted people to like her and recognize her for her personality and not as Mrs. Henderson's grandchild as said in the book. Maybe she felt that she wasn't paid much attention to, but when she met Mrs. Flowers, everything seemed to change for her. Mrs. Flowers had a big impact on her life not only because she called her Marguerite, but also because she taught her what she was capable of.


Quote 2

"The movie star made me happy. It was extraordinary good fortune to be able to save up one's money and go see one's mother whenever one wanted to. I bounced out of the theater as if I'd been given an unexpected present. But Bailey was cast down again." (p. 119)

Bailey missed his mother very much when he returned to Stamps, as shown in this quote. He wanted to see her and would have done anything to remember her, for example, see movies that have a character that looks like her, as he did in the book. Even thought he was sent away from his mother, I think that he somehow forgave her and wanted to live with her.


Conclusion

I think it's surprising that Marguerite (Maya) and Bailey were sent back to Stamps again even though they liked it better there. Their parents sent them away when they were little and when they finally met years later, they were sent away once again. In the book, I have noticed that many white people treated black people unfairly as shown in the scene were Marguerite’s name is changed to Mary and she is being insulted by a white lady. I think that Maya will try to become an actress or a writer later on in the book. I also predict that Maya and Bailey are going to be reunited with their parents for some particular reason and taken with them to another town were Maya will find her talent.

                                    
                                          This is a picture of Maya around the age of 10.