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https://lithub.com/tayari-jones-on-the-women-of-brewster-place-nearly-forty-years-later/
The literary criticism chosen has touched upon the fact that Brewster Place is in a economically challenged area, and that the complete inhabitation of the location by black women represents the isolation and degradation of the state of black people (and especially women) in American society. The criticism also agreed with my book club group in that it said that the women had been swindled by their country and the reason for the low status was in large part due to their homeland and society.

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Tayari Jones on The Women of Brewster Place, Nearly Forty Years Later

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In 1982, when I was a girl of just about twelve, I found myself at the Pink Fox, a buzzing beauty parlor in the center of a not-so-great neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia. Each vinyl chair was occup…

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Gender Lens: "'Yes, Papa,' she trembled. Mattie knew to keep silent and wait" (21).

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Gender Lens: "'Yes, Papa,' she trembled. Mattie knew to keep silent and wait" (21).

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Showcased in this excerpt is the major tension present in black families due to the hierarchy of gender seen in familial ties. Here, Mattie acts almost like a dog would to its owner, knowing to "keep silent and wait" when talked to, showing that her father (and as an extension men) have dominance over her due to sexist pressure (one of the main points of contention of black society, right alongside race).

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"Etta soon found out that America wasn't ready for her yet - not in 1937. And so along with the countless other disillusioned, restless children of Ham with so much to give and nowhere to give it, she took her talents to the street" (60).

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"Etta soon found out that America wasn't ready for her yet - not in 1937. And so along with the countless other disillusioned, restless children of Ham with so much to give and nowhere to give it, she took her talents to the street" (60).

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Using the historical lens, the continuation of a fight for civil rights is very clearly present here, as Etta realizes that even though she may be talented and may be capable of providing value to society, society itself isn't willing to open up to her. There is also a significant connection to the title, the "Women" of Brewster place, as there is a very strong parallel between being black and oppressed and being a woman and oppressed; this decision to make the story about black women in particular was a deliberate choice made by Gloria Naylor to best represent the most oppressed group of society, and stating that society wasn't willing to accept these people in the previous quote is used to show how the most oppressed people in America have been pushed down socioeconomically against their will.

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"If she had seen Ben, nothing would have made her believe that practically every apartment contained a family, a Bible, and a dream that one day enough could be scraped from those meager Friday night paychecks to make Brewster Place a distant memory" (1)

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"If she had seen Ben, nothing would have made her believe that practically every apartment contained a family, a Bible, and a dream that one day enough could be scraped from those meager Friday night paychecks to make Brewster Place a distant memory" (1)

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Here the scene is set for The Brewster Place, as the excerpt depicts the method in which black culture has adapted to the oppressive conditions in society, those being clinging to familial ties, religion, and, most importantly, a dream that conditions can improve. The excerpt also makes it clear that these dreams cannot be accomplished at Brewster Place, and that everyone there is merely finding any way they can escape it.

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“Eating cane is like living (...) you gotta (...) stop trying to wrench [out] every (...) bit of sweetness” (18).

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“Eating cane is like living (...) you gotta (...) stop trying to wrench [out] every (...) bit of sweetness” (18).

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This quote from Butch towards Mattie is in reference to his philosophy regarding his relationships with women. Butch’s philosophy can be viewed through the gender lends to reveal the theme of abandonment in impoverished black communities. It is commonly depicted through stories how families struggling with money struggle as well with internal conflict between members. This book asserts the idea that abandonment is a recurring theme with men while the women are left at home to handle their family all alone. This book addresses this issue because it is a problem that continues to persist today in many communities.

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“Ciel (…) was forced to (…) give up the life that god (…) refused to take from her" (101).

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“Ciel (…) was forced to (…) give up the life that god (…) refused to take from her" (101).

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The idea of God and its impact on the black community is very strongly depicted through this quote, showing how the belief in a higher being and the inability of that being to grant Ciel her wishes resulted in her having to “give up [her] life.” I believe this is an idea that extends beyond just this text because religion is an idea that has always been granted to people regardless of where they come from.

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There is an overarching theme of community in The Women of Brewster Place, as the women consistently band together in the face of racial struggles in order to survive and maintain a uniquely black culture which survives even in a state of oppression.

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The historical lens can be applied in the initial stages of the book by realizing that the time period (the book is set in 1963) is set directly at the start of the turbulent years of the Civil Rights movement, and since the book takes place in a Northern Industrial City, there is likely to be major reactionary elements of society wishing to punish/keep black people in the Brewster Place and maintain the racial status quo.

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While the story itself pertains to black communities, Gloria Naylor’s intended audience are the people in power who redline their communities and prevent them from escaping lives of poverty. This book was written after the Civil Rights Act as a means to demonstrate how black communities are still continuing to struggle despite all their hard efforts and the large steps they have made towards equality.

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The Women of Brewster Place is story on the contemporary issues of black America, including how black culture, especially female black culture, has endured throughout  years of racist and sexist oppression. It follows the story of black women living in the Brewster Place in an urban area in the 1980s, all of whom have endured some degree of societal expulsion and alienation due to factors outside of their control, such as their race or gender. The book is centered around the idea of community by making the story of Brewster Place one that emulates the tale of black survival all across America, showing how people of a subjugated community can come together to ensure their collective survival. If you're interested in topics such as race or gender issues in America and the history of minorities and the way they've been capable of maintaining a unique culture, this book would be a good fit for you.