The Ways of White Folks by Langston Hughes

In what ways is the ending satisfactory for Cora? What does her outburst accomplish?

What are some unusal features of the final scene at Jessie's funeral? To whom does Cora address her remarks? Why is her speech especially embarrassing to the Studevants? What signs are given that Jessie's mother is exaggerating her grief at her daughter's death? (healthy appetite before funeral) How do the Studevant's react toward the father of their grandchild? (attempt to destroy his father's business on ridiculous charge, 15) Later, how does Cora respond to the news that Jessie has suffered a forced abortion? What are some reasons for Cora's attachment to Jessie? Is this attachment mutual? How does she respond to the news of Jessie's pregnancy, and how does she try to help her negotiate her situation? (in first case, her anger is directed against God in the second, toward Jessie's family) What is striking about Cora's reaction to her daughter's death? (8) Are there ways in which her anger anticipates the tale's ending? How are the circumstances in each case different? What are some aspects of pathos in the account of her one romance? Had she been attached to her lover? What happens to their child? Why is she not permitted to play with the Studevants' children? Why has Cora ended up as the servant to the unpleasant Studevants? What have been her past attachments? Where is the story set, that is, where is 'Melton' located? (Des Moines, Kansas City and Sioux City are mentioned seems to be somewhere in Missouri or western Iowa) What aspects of the story are emphasized by the choice of title? What is Cora 'unashamed' of, and why is this worth remark?įrom what point of view is her story told? What is conveyed by the narrator's use of language? (familiar style, e.

The Ways of White Folks by Langston Hughes