Morrison deliberately omits a crucial detail about Twyla and Roberta: their racial backgrounds. This racial difference is essential to the narrative, yet readers are not informed about which character is white and which is black. How does this ambiguity influence your reading experience and interpretation of the story? Identify another instance where an author conceals significant information about characters or events. Does this technique produce a similar or different impact in that instance?

Many readers might infer Twyla and Roberta’s races based on the descriptions Morrison provides of their circumstances and traits. List the "clues" or "codes" of race from the text that guided you to your conclusion. What types of descriptions seem to hint at racial categories indirectly? Revisit the story and see if you can find evidence to support the opposite argument.

Maggie, the mute kitchen worker, plays a pivotal role in Twyla and Roberta’s memories of St. Bonny’s and in their relationship with each other. Each character assumes a different race for Maggie. Why is Maggie so significant, and what does it matter whether she is black or white? Research how racial categories are defined in the United States compared to other countries. How does this information aid in interpreting the significance of Maggie’s racial identity in the story?

The narrative spans over two decades, from the late 1950s to the early 1980s. Choose the section of the story that intrigues you most and investigate American race relations during that decade. How does the historical context of the story deepen your understanding of Twyla and Roberta’s relationship?

American literature features numerous examples of interracial friendships, though these relationships often suffer from imbalances of power. Recall an example of such a friendship from a classic American literary work you are familiar with. How do Morrison’s themes compare or contrast? Can you envision how Morrison’s story might be interpreted as a response or commentary on the classic example?