Blog 6
How does the theme of drug use further convey the plot or develop more dynamic characters within the book?
Among the sisters, we know that Cypress has a large quantity of coke that she sells. Then, near the center of the story, she gives Sassafrass a portion to sell to help her and her artist community. Shange writes, “…Cypress admitted she couldn’t spare much, because she was saving the best and the larger rocks for her sister to have some money when she got back to L.A” (Shange 108). Usually authors insert drug use and its associated themes to add to the narrative. What is added in this narrative is the leniency between these two sisters and the manipulation of negativity. Sassafrass left Mitch when she saw his drug use in their home. What becomes dynamic about her character is her acceptance of the coke from her sister and the way she transforms this negative item. Instead of associating it with a negative portion of her life, as a woman, she is repurposing it to serve her dreams and aspirations. This is very reflective of the advice their mother gives them in the letters she sends. In one letter, their mom states, “And you girls realize, by now, how hard an artist’s life is” (Shange 106). If given negativity, they must find a way to make everything useful because they are artists. Their mother knows they can’t take anything go to waste, and it is in their capable talent to transform anything.
Leniency is expressed when Sassafrass is accepting of her sister selling coke. They both understand the difficulty of an artist’s life and the years of dedication to their practice has yet to supply them with enough money. Selling coke also ties into the sense of female empowerment they hold. Most of the time, drug dealers are men because, generally speaking, they are less likely to be overpowered or fooled. The author is furthering the plot by showing instances of female empowerment. This ties in well with the instances where the sisters are torn down or belittled by men.



















