This group contends that in the story 1937 by Edwidge Danticat, the character Dee does not appreciate her mother Mama. They provide evidence from the story about Dee's attitude and conversations with Mama to support this. They also discuss how Dee's education led to her having a new perspective and looking down on her hometown. Quilts in the story and their historical significance relating to freedom are used as an example of cultural context. The group concludes that Dee is ungrateful and disrespectful to her family despite the sacrifices they made to support her education and higher standards.

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2. OUR CLAIM:
• We contend that Mama does not feel appreciated by Dee
while others contend that Mama does feel appreciated by her
daughter Dee.
• The two interdisciplinary forms we used to support our claim
are education and culture.

3. EVIDENCE:
• Education:
• Demeanor and conversations she has with her
family are evidence of her lack of gratitude for her
mother and hometown.
• Mama describes a letter Dee wrote to her saying
that where ever they [Mama and Maggie]
“choose” to live, she will manage to see them but
will never bring her friends.
• These words are condescending to her mother and
are a clear example of Dee’s elitist attitude and
why Mama doesn’t feel appreciated by Dee when
Mama was the one who provided Dee with the
opportunity to get an education and a “better
life”.

4. EVIDENCE (CONTINUED)
• We believe that since Dee went away for college and
learned more about her culture and society’s standards,
she doesn’t think her hometown is “up to par”. If she were
to have stayed at home, and not have received a higher
education, we believe she wouldn’t have a demeaning
manner about her self.
• In the article posted on “Education Insider” written by Sara
Wright she explains the pros and cons of leaving home for
college. The list of pros include independence, a fresh start
and a new perspective. This “new perspective” is what
changed Dee’s attitude. Leaving for college introduces
you to people from all walks of life and expose you to new
ideas and cultural norms.

5. EVIDENCE (CONTINUED)
• Mama wishes that the relationship between her and Dee would
improve.
• She ultimately feels unappreciated by her own flesh and blood.
• She reminisces on a TV show, where the child unites with the
parent and thanks her for everything that they’ve done for her
and shows her appreciation.
• If Dee showed Mama gratitude, (which she doesn’t because
through conversations she’s had with her mother, you can tell
she’s overall ungrateful and doesn’t appreciate her mother,)
shows how much she appreciates her, and everything she has
done for her, would bring some kind of happiness to her life.
• Mama just wishes that Dee would show gratitude towards her.

6. CULTURE: QUILTS
• Throughout history quilts were made for many purposes
• To keep warm
• To decorate houses
• Political views
• To remember family and loved ones

7. • There are many different types but the one type of quilt that is
significant to U.S history is Freedom Quilts
• Freedom quilts were used to:
• Send signals to slaves to pack for a journey and to get ready to
escape
• Also to guide slaves to food, to point north, and t show danger

8. • Because Dee was educated she not only saw the quilts
as something to keep her warm but she saw the history
of the quilt and what it signified

9. CONCLUSION
• In conclusion Group 3 contends that Dee is ungrateful as well as
disrespectful to her for family for the sacrifices they have both made for
her
• Dee does not recognize that the only reason she is able to hold herself
to a higher standard is because of what her community did for her
• Holding oneself to a better standard is good, but not at the expense of
people who aren’t as fortunate
• Edwidge Danticat’s 1937 shows both the negatives and positives of
pursuing your goals at any means necessary

10. BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Mathwire.com | Freedom Quilts." Mathwire.com | Freedom Quilts. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.
"History in Quilts | EDSITEment." History in Quilts | EDSITEment. N.p., n.d.
Web. 17 Apr. 2013.
"Pros and Cons of Going to College Far From Home." N.p., n.d. Web. 17
Apr. 2013.
"On Edwidge Danticat's,1937." On Edwidge Danticat's,1937. N.p., n.d. Web.
17 Apr. 2013.