Ninth Ward

“Upstairs, I sometimes see my mother’s ghost on Mama Ya-Ya’s bed, her belly big, like she’s forgotten she already gave birth to me.” 

Early in the novel, this line revels Lanesha’s ability to see spirits who dwell in the world. She sees ghosts from many time periods in her city’s history as well as some she knows, like Jermaine, a classmate who was shot while skipping school. Lanesha never knew her mother, who died right after giving birth to her.

“Signs everywhere, Lanesha. Pay attention.” 

On her 12th birthday, Lanesha thinks about numbers as signs as she finishes math homework. She reflects on Mama Ya-Ya’s reminder to her regarding other noticeable signs in her environment. The line also contributes to the mystical undertones of Mama Ya-Ya’s characterization and shows Lanesha’s easy acceptance of both the concrete (math) and the abstract (signs in dreams that represent deeper meanings) in her world.

“Fortitude is three syllables. Three is a powerful number. It means life. It means making peace with your thoughts, words, and deeds.” 

Lanesha’s English teacher Miss Perry offers this vocabulary word on Monday. The fact that Lanesha is interested and excited by the word, its definition, and its deeper, more representative meaning is evidence of her character traits (intelligence, curiosity, strength) and foreshadowing, as Lanesha will need great fortitude to endure the approaching literal and figurative storm.