Structure

Push by Sapphire is divided into four long chapters which are all focused on telling the story of Precious’ growth and development. It also contains an appendix with the LIFE STORIES of the girls in Precious’ reading class.

The story begins with a blunt passage that immediately introduces the reader to the brutal story that is about to be told:

I was left back when I was twelve because I had a baby for my fahver. That was in 1983. I was out of school for a year. This gonna be my second baby. My daughter got Down Sinder. She’s retarded. (p. 3)

Right from the first page, it is suggested that the book is going to delve into themes of incest, rape and pedophilia, giving the opening lines a very powerful emotional impact.

The novel then goes on to tell the story of Precious’ life in her own words, especially as it relates to her reading class and her life ambitions. 

Flashbacks are used to share dramatic events from Precious’ childhood. For example, some of the early flashbacks describe the circumstances around the birth of Pr...