Summary

Even though the text includes a clear division between scenes, there is a sense in the text that at least the visual level of the action is continuous - i.e. with the stage directions describe the scene as beginning with Ernestine cleaning up “the remains of her father’s questions” (79). She reads a few of them aloud, each addressed to “Sweet Father” (79) and asking about things like Ermina’s interest in the opposite sex, and the way that the family seems to be doing the same things in this new city as they did back home in the country.

As Ernestine continues to clean and read, a light appears on Godfrey, who speaks some of his questions aloud. He asks for guidance about what to do when he is called “‘the country nigger’” at work (79). He also asks what to do...