Summary

In “Sweetness” by Toni Morrison, an African-American mother recounts her relationship with her daughter. The mother and her husband Louis are mixed-race and can pass for white, just like the woman’s mother and grandmother did in the past.

However, after three years of marriage, the narrator gives birth to a very dark-skinned girl, Lula Ann, whom she is ashamed of. Louis believes the narrator cheated on him, while the narrator argues the girl is so dark-skinned because of Louis’ family.

Eventually, Louis leaves the narrator, who is forced to raise her daughter on her own. She mostly keeps the girl inside because she does not want people to see her with such a dark-skinned baby. She is also very strict as a mother, teaching Lula Ann to stay away from white people who might discriminat...