Question

Why does the narrator lie to her piano teacher?

Answer 1

1. The narrator, wanting to fit in and avoid standing out, feels self-conscious about her mother's appearance, which she perceives as different from the other mothers. To shield herself from potential ridicule or judgment from her peers and teacher, the narrator fabricates a story about her mother's whereabouts to avoid explaining her mother's clothing and umbrella. This lie reflects the narrator's internal struggle between her cultural heritage and her desire to assimilate into American society.