Nineteen Thirty Seven

In Nineteen Thirty Seven by Edwidge Danticat tells a story about a mother and a daughter going through a rough time. The mother, Manman, is in prison because she is suspected of being some kind of witch and criminal (Danticat 39). The daughter, Josephine, goes to visit her mother about once a week and tells about their past. Throughout the story, Josephine takes her mother the Madonna, a little statue that means a lot to the both of them. I found the Madonna to be very interesting because it seems to play a big role of both of these characters lives. Josephine takes the Madonna to her mother everytime she visits her and every time, Manman holds it close to her chest for the entire time Josephine is there. Another reason it seemed important was because when the lady visits Josephine to tell her of her mothers death, one of the questions that is asked to the woman is about the Madonna which indicates that the woman who visited the river along with Manman and Josephine know about it as well. To me, I think the Madonna symbolizes hope and safety to Manman. When Manman knows that she is dying, the last visit that Josephine makes to the prison, she tells her daughter to keep the Madonna “when [she is] completely gone” because she believes that “maybe [Josephine] will have someone to take [her] place” (Danticat 43). Manman is depending on the Madonna to watch over Josephine when she’s gone and to keep her safe as well. I found it very interesting that it would be and item of religious worth. I think even though the Haitian woman were treated poorly, they still found a way to believe in something other than reality, something good. 

Danticat, Edwidge. Krik? Krak!. NY: Vintage Books, 1995. 31-49. Print.