If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson Literary Analysis Essay

Anne is racist. She has displayed many traits of resentment and hostility toward African Americans. What is being racist? Being racist is antagonizing people based on their membership in a particular ethnic group or race. Not only was she obscure to the news of Ellie having a crush on Jeremiah. She is also afraid of African Americans. Doing simple tasks, such as jogging in the park. 

She has displayed prejudice against the races several times. 

Anne believes race is a factor in Elle choosing a romantic partner. “I just think having a boyfriend or girlfriend from a different race is hard. I want to do the big sister thing and tell you to..I don't know” (Woodson, 29). This quote is upsetting to the reader. This communicates that Anne does not think Jeremiah was a “good fit “ for Ellie because Jeremiah is of the opposite race. This is offensive to Jeremiah as Anne does not know him and is judging his character completely based on race. She is disfavoring him to Ellie because he does not believe a white woman and an African American man should be together. She uses the particular word “really hard”. Implying she doesn't support their relationship because of the race because she thinks it will be difficult. Even going as far as to gaslight Ellie by saying she doesn't want her to get hurt by this trial that Anne believes Ellie will face. 

Anne feels intolerant to any gestures or normal activities to do with the opposite race. “Once Anne and I were walking through Central Park when this black guy started running toward us. I frowned remembering how Anne had screamed and grabbed me” (Woodson, 69). This is a compelling quote. Exhaustively, this shows how Anne immutably was frightened by a person of another race jogging in the park. Not only this but grabbing Ellie and screaming. As if her life was threatened by a jogger of the opposite race. It is indisputable how publicly she would form such an action. Anne had solely based her design to be frightened by the small detail that the jogger was African American.   

A rebuttal to this may include the fact that Annes' racism is a concern she shows for Ellie. Anne is worried about other people's judgment rather than her own. Saying she would be sad to see Ellie get hurt by the judgment of other people. Again later proven in the book when Ellie and Jeremiah were walking alone in central park. They happened to be judged by two old women in central park. This does prove that Anne's concerns were logical and Ellie did warrant a warning against this retribution. 

Anne’s beliefs are forgivable. Anne is Elle's family, you must love them unconditionally. Including all major or minor faults. As a result of Anne being racist. Elle might believe it is hurtful to her at the time but moments pass. Annes' actions were misdeeds and contradicted the conditional love Marion gives Anne. From this perspective you can tell Elle is inclined to love Anne. Hence Elle attempts to be there for Anne as Marion is not. Elle distinctly adores Anne and throughout the rest of the book, we see Elle reminisce her memories. “Monday morning, like every morning since Anne and I last talked, I stood in the kitchen with my hand on the phone”(Woodson, 67). This highlights how Elle continually thinks of Anne. Elle knows she can condone Anne for her deeds. Without a doubt Elle forgives Anne and the reader should as well. 

Anne is forgivable in Elle's eye for the minor fact they have history. How no matter what Anne had implied she did believe Anne only wanted the best. “I leaned back against the wall and closed my eyes, not wanting to cry. Anne was right. None of it made any sense.”(Woodson, 58). After Jeremiah was shot Elle was utterly devastated. Elle forgives Anne for all her actions. The quote is especially significant in displaying the bond Anne and Ellie possess. Even though the hardships Ellie did believe in Anne. Furthermore taking Anne's opinion to account about Jeremiah. Ellie believed deep down Anne was looking out for her. Subsequently, Anne expressed her feelings in a prejudiced way. Anne is still forgivable for what she has said.

You can not deny Anne being racist but she can be forgiven. Anne is racist and not audible. She is percent about what she thinks. Drawing complete judgment off of the selected color of skin. She is most evidently racist. Proven in her judgment for Ellie romanticizing Jeremiah. Furthermore going as far as publicly screaming from an African American jogger she so clearly judged for his skin color. Anne is looking out for Elle isn't the end. The reader inferred Anne and Elle to be on good terms at the end. Anne is allowed to be accepted for her beliefs. Being racist is holding enmity to ethnicity or race, which is a trait Anne poses.