At first I was a little disappointed after reading A Project Chick because I felt like Tressa
was very dependent on men throughout the book. I felt as though she was
dependent on men for money and that the situations in which she accepted money
from men were inappropriate. For example, after engaging in sexual acts with
Mr. Bill, “…he handed her a wad of cash, and said. ‘Told you I was gonna look
out for you real good, here’s a little something to help you out’” (Turner, pg.
138).
However, I did see some positive
aspects of the story. It seemed that although Tressa often looked for help from
men, especially financial help, it was the women in her life that she could
really count on. Wiggles was there for her from the day she decided to leave
Lucky, and she provided her with money and shelter. Her neighbor, Joan, also
provided support and a job opportunity. The major difference between these
women and the men she depended on was that the women did not expect anything in
return for their help. They gave selflessly, while the men gave to her
expecting her to continue to show them a “good time”. Joan and Wiggles were the
ideal examples of how women should support each other. Wiggles who had barely
anything to her name still worked to supply Tressa with whatever she could,
even if it was just time to babysit the kids. Her neighbor also did everything
in her power to help Tressa such as, giving her money, storing her clothes, and
giving her the opportunity to work for her sister. These women who were from
completely opposite situations and backgrounds did their part to help a women
in need despite any class or race difference.
There were
also negative aspects addressed of the relationships between women. Among the
black women and Tressa there was often hate and jealousy. Between Tressa and
Joan’s sister there was discrimination. For
example, Tressa felt the need to show off her expensive purchases in the hair
salon, while Gypsy felt the need to make Tressa feel embarrassed about her
financial situation. Tressa states, “Sometimes you just gotta pay the cost and
take the lost, simply to put a bitch in her place, and keep their head
wondering” (pg. 105). Both Tressa and Gypsy were in tough financial situations
and they could have supported each other instead of envying each other. On the
other hand Joan’s sister originally refused to pay Tressa at the pay rate she
deserved based on the money she brought into the company. She took advantage of
Tressa’s situation since she knew how badly she must need the job.
This novel
points out how women can decide to build each other up or tear each other down.
It also shows how women can be the support group for other women when they are
in unfortunate situations. It shows positive views of how black women and white
woman can work together and how black women can work with other black women. It
also shows the negative point of view about how dangerous and wrong it is for
black women and white women to tear down other black women. Finally, it shows
the backbone that the black women have even after being torn down by degrading
men, envious women, and unfortunate circumstances.
Jasmine, I completely relate to what you were feeling when it seemed like Tressa was constantly portrayed as completely dependent on men for money. Like you, I was also troubled by the scenes in which Tressa resorted to using her body in order to make ends meet. At first, I was angry with the author for constantly forcing this strong willed and intelligent character into these stereotyped circumstances – women needing a man and the female body as a woman’s worth. However, in chapter 13, “Meal Tickets”, it seemed very clear to me that Turner is writing the story this way in order to show how the system forces women into circumstances and actions that they would otherwise object to. On page 134, it says, “the welfare system, in her eyes, seemed to be set up and only worked for those who sat on their asses and collected a check, not for working individuals who were really trying.” This whole section underscored the ways in which the welfare system indirectly discriminates against working single mothers. As soon as Tressa got a job all of her expenses increased and she could barely feed her children, meanwhile she is doing exactly what she’s supposed to as a single mother. I think Turner does a great job here, and in other moments throughout the novel, of exposing the ways in which the system fails these women and puts them in literal do or die situations. Neither condemning nor condoning Tressa’s relationship with Mr. Bill, Turner humanizes Tressa’s desire for companionship, but also shows that without his financial support she would be unable to take care of her children, which are her number one priority. This makes the stakes extremely high and forces morality to be secondary. As a whole, the novel draws attention to systematic oppression and its troubling effect on the lives of each woman in this novel.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with this point in the novel, especially about black women feeling the need to tear each other down. I've witnessed situations similar to Tressa's where black women or women in general often feel the need to compare themselves to one another. If one woman is more successful than another or has something everyone wants, she is envied and people try to tear her down with words and their actions instead of uplifting her. For example, Turner illustrates in her novel as well, Rosey, Tressa's neighbor, see's her with designer clothing, money, and men, none of which she has and is jealous of Tressa and as a result tells her devastating gossip that she has found out about the men in Tressa's life. Gypsy is another example, whenever she sees Tressa in the hair salon she makes it a point to inquire about Tressa's life. Even though Tressa came into the hair salon dressed nicely, Gypsy asked her about why she had new clothes and a beat down car. Later Gypsy even tried to throw backlash to Tressa when she came into the salon with new clothes and a new car, trying to tease her about what she was wearing. But it was also relieving to see that some women did not try to bash Tressa, but in fact looked out for her while she was on the run from Lucky such as Joan and Wiggles.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jasmine’s analysis about the persistent theme regarding women’s dependency on men in the novel. I also noted how materialism is incorporated within these relationships as well. A primary example is the conception of Tressa and Lucky’s romantic relationship. Taj asked Lucky to look after Tressa once he went to jail. It was also Taj who set the boundaries of the relationship between Tressa and Lucky. Although Tressa was expected to rely on Lucky for emotional, physical, and fiscal protection, there was an a-romantic expectation. This restriction was placed by Taj, not Tressa, and has connections to this gendered dependency that you argue here (32-36). Not only was a man expected to take care and protect Tressa, it was entirely dictated by another man. Additionally, the materialistic pattern of a dependent relationship was further highlighted during the beginning of this agreement. Lucky was able to woo Tressa by spending money on VHS tapes and giving her $50 to treat not only herself, but her friends for dinner (35). It was shortly after this generosity that Tressa realized her attraction to Lucky for the first time (35-37). These sort of materialistic patterns are an interesting catalyst for the dependency that Jasmine’s critiquing. As Rachel points out in her response, there are structural triggers to these relationships that serve a particular weight as well in these contexts especially.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Jasmine’s discussion regarding relationships between women. Wriggles serves as a positive example. She encourages Tressa to act bravely and to prioritize her own protection when dealing with Michelle Booger (74). Although we could (and should) critique the male-centered violence and conflict between Michelle and Tressa, Wriggles serves as a partial advocate for Tressa when her own man could not. Furthermore, when Tressa gets a feasible opportunity to purchase a vehicle from Wanda, Wriggles becomes a helpful resources (130). These social networks have a strong value women like Tressa, which I feel is a reiterated theme throughout the novel.
Jasmine, I think you make a good point about the characterization of Tressa's relationships between both men and other women. Initially when I read the book I was disappointed as well; I did not like the way that she was dependent financially on men. However, after some time I have begun to think that this may not be a flaw but a feature; the author seems to have done this intentionally, written Tressa as a member of a system she did not ask to be in but must now be a part of. She will do anything to take care of herself and her children, which is admirable. The relationships that Tressa has with men are, additionally, not written as something to aspire to; from the beginning Tressa says that she should never have been with Lucky, though at the beginning she may have thought it was a good idea (as he was so kind to her).
ReplyDeleteThe relationships Tressa has with women are, ultimately, more interesting. There are a wide variety of them, as you pointed out, and are again, I think, intentional on the part of the author to highlight the complexity of life. While every relationship Tressa has may not be perfect, and may in fact be harmful, it seems deliberate that the author has included them. Wriggles, as well, represents a positive force in Tressa's life; she is there when others are not and becomes a source of strength.