Brown Girl Dreaming Part III: Followed the Sky's Mirrored Constellation to Freedom

Summary

New York City

• Jacqueline finds New York City disappointing compared to the idealized versions described by Southerners.
• She feels she will never call New York home.

Brooklyn, New York

• Family moves out of their first shabby apartment in Brooklyn.
• They relocate to Herzl Street where they are surrounded by other Southerners.

Life Changes

• Children adapt to having to wear shoes in the city.
• Johnny pumps (fire hydrants) provide joy during hot summers.

Family and Connections

• Jacqueline shares a physical trait (gap in teeth) with family members.
• Aunt Kay's sudden death impacts the family deeply, prompting another move.

New Home on Madison Street

• Family moves to a house with a religious sculpture.
• Jacqueline receives her first composition notebook, fostering her love for writing.

School and Religion

• Jacqueline starts school, excited by her teacher and the environment.
• Continues religious education as Jehovah's Witnesses, leading to feelings of exclusion.
• Jacqueline's differences in beliefs make her feel alienated.

Personal Struggles and Identity

• Jacqueline is aware of her struggles with reading compared to her gifted sister Odella.
• Lies about her absent father to fit in.
• Uncle Robert brings gifts, encouraging storytelling.

Family Dynamics

• Roman, the youngest sibling, falls ill due to lead poisoning.
• Jacqueline's life in New York becomes more settled, yet she remains connected to the South.

Summer Visits to South Carolina

• Children enjoy visits to their grandparents, feeling a sense of belonging.
• Jacqueline experiences a cultural clash due to their Northern accents.

Witness Activities

• Jacqueline, as a Jehovah's Witness, must participate in door-to-door evangelism, eliciting complex emotions.

Analysis

Themes and Motifs

• Title Significance: The title of Part III connects Jacqueline's past to her present, emphasizing the themes of nature and freedom.
• Feeling Different: Jacqueline's Jehovah's Witness faith and storytelling make her feel different from peers and misunderstood by her family.
• Father's Absence: Jacqueline's disconnection from her father and his family is a significant emotional theme.
• Accent as Identity: Accents highlight Jacqueline's dual identity, caught between the South and the North.

Growth and Milestones

• Jacqueline reaches several milestones, including starting school and religious responsibilities, each carrying both positive and negative experiences.
• Her experiences with Jehovah's Witness practices lead to critical reflections on her beliefs.

Conclusion

• Part III highlights Jacqueline's struggles with identity, family, and belonging amidst the backdrop of her cultural and religious differences.