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Chapters 1-3

The following version of this book was used to create this Lesson Plan: Morrison, Toni. God Help the Child. Vintage, 2016. Trade paperback.

Chapter 1 — Sweetness

• Sweetness is a light-skinned black woman who gives birth to a blue-black-skinned baby whom she does not want to touch, on account of her darkness.

• Sweetness’ husband, who is also light-skinned, sees the baby as evidence of an infidelity and he leaves her.

• Sweetness determines to be very strict in raising her daughter, to protect her from a horrible world that will hurt her because of her skin color.

Chapter 2 — Bride

• Bride’s boyfriend leaves her, after saying that she is not the woman he wants.

• Recounting the days leading up to her boyfriend’s departure, Bride describes her cosmetics business, “You, Girl,” and describes how she put together a care package with cosmetics and money.

• Bride takes the care package to...

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