Summary:
A powerful and heart-wrenching account of an African-American teenager’s struggles to escape poverty, abuse, and illiteracy, ultimately finding her voice and strength through writing.
Genre:
- Fiction
- Drama
- Social commentary
Main topic:
The cycle of poverty, abuse, and illiteracy and its impact on individuals and communities, as portrayed through the eyes of a young teenage girl.
Key ideas:
- The devastating effects of poverty and abuse on individuals and communities
- The power of self-expression and education in overcoming these struggles
- The resilience and strength of marginalized communities
- The importance of intersectionality in understanding and addressing social issues
Main parts of the book:
- Part One: Precious Jones – Introduces the protagonist, a 16-year-old illiterate girl who is pregnant for the second time by her father. It also establishes the neglect and abuse she faces from both her parents.
- Part Two: Shadows – Covers Precious’ time in an alternative school where she finally learns to read and write, expresses her feelings through poetry, and starts to confront her past traumas.
- Part Three: Push – Details Precious’ struggles as a single mother of two, reflecting on her past and making difficult decisions to break free from her abusive mother and strive for a better future for herself and her children.
- Part Four: A Little Black Girl Lost – Returns to the present where Precious carries on with her education, confronts her mother, and begins to heal and find her self-worth.
Key takeaways:
- The importance of empathy and understanding towards those facing difficult circumstances
- The power of education and self-expression in overcoming oppression and trauma
- The resilience and strength of marginalized individuals and communities
- The need for intersectionality in addressing social issues such as poverty, abuse, and illiteracy
Author’s background and qualifications:
Sapphire, whose real name is Ramona Lofton, is an American author, poet, and performance artist. She comes from a working-class African-American family in California and has personally experienced poverty and abuse. She has a Bachelor’s degree in modern dance and has taught literature and creative writing. With her experience and education, Sapphire brings a unique perspective to her writing, tackling difficult social issues with rawness and honesty.
Target audience:
‘Push’ is targeted towards readers interested in social issues and marginalization, particularly those affecting the African-American community. It is also recommended for those looking for a compelling and thought-provoking read that shines a light on the resilience and strength of marginalized individuals.
Publisher and first publication date:
‘Push’ was published in 1996 by Vintage Books, a division of Random House, Inc.