Question

"The Sky is Gray" The family is obviously below poverty. Why won't the

mother let the white woman help her? What is the one thing the woman
does do to help James and his mother?

Answer 1

The mother in 'The Sky is Gray' likely refuses help due to pride, self-reliance, and dignity. The desire for autonomy among the poor is a common theme in literature, which aligns with the mother's actions in maintaining her dignity and independence.

Step-by-step explanation:

In "The Sky is Gray", the family's resistance to accept help from the white woman can be attributed to the strong sense of pride, self-reliance, and the desire to maintain dignity in the face of poverty. The mother's actions reflect a common theme in literature that explores the experiences of those living in poverty, particularly in historical contexts involving racial dynamics. Although the details provided from various texts do not directly answer the question on 'The Sky is Gray', they do illustrate the complex interplay between pride, dignity, and the struggle for survival amongst the poor.

For example, the desire for autonomy is visible in the passage stating, "I don't know whether you knew it or not, Peter, but I am colored, and hereafter I mean to live among my own people." This is indicative of a broader mindset of self-determination that may be similar to the mother's reasons in the story.