Prompts for "Brownies"

I would like to begin a discussion of "Brownies" that incorporates the vocabulary from Chapter 11. My only requirement is that you incorporate vocabulary from the list. It might help you to look at the questions on pages 394-95, but please do not feel obligated to stick to those questions. Just respond in an intelligent, thoughtful manner. Perhaps I can start us off by asking a few questions:

After reviewing page 390, which term would you use to describe the narrator, Laurel ("Snot")? Is she a "suspended woman," an "assimilated woman," an "emergent woman," or a "liberated woman"? Use specific examples from the story.

"Brownies" obviously takes place in the 1980s (the cultural references reveal this). If these girls are about 10 years old at this time, what does that tell us about their parents? What did they live through? How does that inform the story?

How much time do you think has passed between when the story happened and when it is being told? How old is the narrator? What clues does the story give you? (For example, look at all the overt references Laurel makes to language, literary devices, and grammar; why are those in the story?)

Do you think Arnetta really heard one of the girls in Troop 909 use a racial slur? Is it at least a possibility, or are we meant to believe Arnetta is lying?

Interpret this passage: "No one talked about fighting. Everyone was afraid enough just walking through the infinite deep woods. Even though I didn’t fight to fight, was afraid of fighting, I felt I was part of the rest of the troop, like I was defending something. We trudged against the slight incline of the path, Arnetta leading the way."

Why do you think Packer makes Troop 909 a special needs troop? How would the story be different if the girls did seem to conform more closely to the cliches at the beginning of the story (Disney characters, shampoo-commercial hair, etc.)?

I hope these questions are helpful. Don't feel obligated to answer any of them. Just be sure to use the vocabulary. See you on Tuesday.