Blues Ain't No Mockingbird by Toni Cade Bambara

Literary Conflict

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Literary Elements

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Themes

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Character Traits

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Local Color and Dialect

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Essential Questions for “Blues Ain’t No Mocking Bird” by Toni Cade Bambara

1. How does the media affect the way we view events, people, or places?
2. What are some different ways that people are exploited throughout history?
3. How do good authors use dialect and local color to make their story realistic?

Blues Ain’t No Mockingbird Summary

The short story is set in the deep south, in an African American home, during the twentieth century. It centers around an unnamed narrator and her cousin Cathy as they experience the invasion of a camera crew on their property. As the girls are outside playing with their two twin boy neighbors, their grandmother “Granny” is inside finishing some Rum Cakes, when two strange men with cameras approach. The narrator gives these men the names “smilin and camera man”. They come up and explain that they are filming for the ‘country’s food stamp program’ and would like to use Granny’s home for footage. However, she stoically refuses.

The approach of the camera men prompts Cathy to tell a story about a man who tried to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge, and how it attracted onlookers and a camera crew like the ones at the house. When the twins and the narrator become eager to hear the ending of the story, Granny’s countenance changes and it prompts Cathy to change the story to Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This story makes a connection to the narrator who describes how Granny becomes frustrated with her surroundings every few years, and forces the family to move.

When the cameramen refuse to leave, Granny becomes upset. Just then Granddaddy Cain returns from the fields with a large chicken hawk, a hammer, and his hunting gear. Mumbling under her breath, Granny comments that the men are standing in her flower bed. The cameramen rush up to film Granddaddy, but he elegantly forces them away. The narrator describes him as being king-like. When the men refuse to leave, Grandaddy holds out his hand for the camera. Intimidated by his presence and his hammer, they hand him the camera. He removes the top off of the camera and their film is ruined.

Granddaddy Cain also points out that they are standing in the flower bed. He gives the camera back, the men pick up the pieces and they leave.

Cathy then says that one day, she will write a story about the day's events, and that the story will be “[a]bout the proper use of the hammer.”

Frequently Asked Questions about Blues Ain't No Mockingbird by Toni Cade Bambara

What is the main theme of 'Blues Ain't No Mockingbird' by Toni Cade Bambara?

The main theme of 'Blues Ain't No Mockingbird' is privacy, dignity, and the impact of media intrusion on families. The story explores how outside forces, represented by the camera crew, disrupt the family’s peace and highlight issues of exploitation and respect.

How can I teach 'Blues Ain't No Mockingbird' in a quick, engaging lesson?

To teach 'Blues Ain't No Mockingbird' quickly and engagingly, focus on its central conflict and use activities like role-playing or discussing the effects of media on privacy. Incorporate essential questions about exploitation and local color to spark class discussion.

What are some student activities for 'Blues Ain't No Mockingbird'?

Effective student activities include character analysis, exploring dialect and local color, debate about media ethics, and creative writing inspired by the story’s events. Visual storyboards can also help students understand key moments.

Why does Granny refuse the camera crew in 'Blues Ain't No Mockingbird'?

Granny refuses the camera crew to protect her family’s privacy and dignity. She feels the intruders are exploiting her home for their documentary, echoing broader themes of resistance to outside interference.

How does Toni Cade Bambara use dialect and local color to make the story realistic?

Toni Cade Bambara uses authentic dialect and vivid descriptions of setting and character behavior to create a realistic portrayal of life in the deep south. This technique immerses readers in the culture and atmosphere of the story.