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Libertie


This superb historical novel explores what freedom means for a young Black woman...
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How do you feel about Libertie's future by the close of the novel? How do you feel about her final choice to return to America?

Created: 04/07/22

Replies: 8

Posted Apr. 07, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

How do you feel about Libertie's future by the close of the novel? How do you feel about her final choice to return to America?

Libertie is named by her father "in honor of the bright, shining future he was sure was coming." How do you feel about Libertie's future by the close of the novel? How do you feel about her final choice to return to America?


Posted Apr. 07, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
linz

Join Date: 08/12/15

Posts: 167

RE: How do you feel about Libertie'...

I honestly didn't see how her future would be better. She was just looking for an easy way out of a bad situation in Jamaica. There might be more opportunity in America, but I didn't see how she would be strong enough to get it herself.


Posted Apr. 07, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Maggie

Join Date: 01/01/16

Posts: 434

RE: How do you feel about Libertie'...

She is leaving Haiti for America with her children and to be back with her mother. Her mother has missed her so I am hoping that she will forgive Libertie for flunking out of school, marrying so quickly and immediately leaving for Haiti. Also for not answering her letters, and keeping in touch. Libertie has learned so I am hoping her mother has also. I think this is a good choice for Libertie and her children whether her husband joins her or not. .


Posted Apr. 14, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
reneet

Join Date: 10/03/20

Posts: 5

RE: How do you feel about Libertie'...

I think Libertie made the best choice for her children and herself in returning to America. I also think her experience in Haiti resulted in growth for her. I honestly didn’t care for her character for most of the book. Meeting Ella and Ti Me seemed to cause Libertie to think about others’ perspectives, and I hope she could look at her mother in a more understanding way when she returned to America.


Posted Apr. 15, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Joyce

Join Date: 10/14/21

Posts: 79

RE: How do you feel about Libertie'...

I agree with Maggie and Reneet in that it was a very good decision for her to return to
America. She did a lot of maturing while in Haiti as a result of her time around Ti Me. Though the letters from her mother were disheartening, the fact that her mother kept writing them without responses demonstrated how “real” her love for Libertie was. Once Libertie had the babies she felt she would get more support at home, including from the Graces, then she could staying in Haiti. It was unlikely that Emanuel would ever understand her need to be his equal.


Posted Apr. 15, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jos

Join Date: 03/14/21

Posts: 139

RE: How do you feel about Libertie'...

I agree with Joyce that she would never be seen as an equal by her husband. Leaving Haiti would be a safer bet for her and her children considering the circumstances of whom she was living with. I felt she became an adult and that she had a new purpose with her children to go home and make a future for them including a relationship with her mother. I felt she was stronger for her experience in Haiti and could now stand up to her mom on what she wants to do with her life.


Posted Apr. 16, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
nancyh

Join Date: 06/25/13

Posts: 347

RE: How do you feel about Libertie'...

I believe marrying and going with her husband helped her to see the world a little better. She thought the island would bring her more freedom and it did not. She wanted to change things on the island. Emanuel was not ready to go against his father and I believe Libertie found this a weakness. She learned much more about her Mother from her letters than she had living with her. This changed some of her thinking. I believe she will do well in America and now has the will to help make changes.


Posted May. 09, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
deniseg

Join Date: 01/05/22

Posts: 2

RE: How do you feel about Libertie'...

I feel it was the right choice for Libertie, for her children, and for Emmanuel. Staying in Haiti might leave her similar to Ella--creating reality that she can live with, and becoming more and more removed from the world, which is no way to create a future.

I also thought the Graces making it possible was a perfect touch. Both Libertie and her mother needed to accept and give grace more easily in order to both improve their relationship and to pursue their futures.


Posted May. 10, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rosemarys

Join Date: 05/29/11

Posts: 43

RE: How do you feel about Libertie'...

I am glad that she left Haiti to return to America. She had no life with her husband and it wasn’t going to get any better, in my opinion. She will be with her mother who can help her raise her children. She will hopefully reconnect with her community and gain a better understanding of her mother. I doubt her husband will come to America unless it’s for a visit.


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