The Impact of Domestic Work on Mama and the Discovery of Privilege - Chapter 3 Summary

TLDRIn Chapter 3 of 'Coming of Age in Mississippi', domestic work takes a toll on Mama. The family moves to a white neighborhood, where Essie envies the privileges of white children. She tries to uncover the secret of whiteness and grapples with questions of privilege and identity.

Key insights

👩‍🦱Domestic work has a physical toll on Mama and she moves to a kinder employer

🏡The family moves into a nicer house in a white neighborhood

🤝Essie befriends white children and envies their privileges

Essie wonders about the secret behind white children's privileges

💼Essie starts working and realizes the disparity between black and white women

Q&A

Why does Mama leave her employer for Mrs. Johnson?

Mama leaves her employer for Mrs. Johnson because she is a lot kinder to the family.

What motivates Essie's interest in white children's privileges?

Essie envies the privileges of white children, such as their skates and Playhouse.

Why does Essie get in trouble for going to the white section of town?

Essie gets in trouble because Mama explains that she can't do that with white children.

What does Essie think the secret of whiteness is?

Essie wonders if the secret of whiteness lies in the private parts of white children.

Why does Essie think white women are lazy?

Essie thinks white women are lazy because black women do all their work.

Timestamped Summary

00:01[Music]

00:09In Chapter 3 of 'Coming of Age in Mississippi', domestic work takes a toll on Mama who leaves her employer for Mrs. Johnson.

00:19They move into a nicer house in a white neighborhood where Essie envies the privileges of white children.

00:37Essie gets in trouble for going into the white section of town to talk to white children.

00:53Essie wonders if the secret of whiteness lies in the private parts of white children.

01:19Essie realizes the disparity between black and white women's resources and wonders why white women have better things.

01:35Essie starts working and earns her own money, but later has to quit.

01:42Essie finds work at the Clayborne's house and worries about quitting school.