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Chapter 44
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Piecing Me Together, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Intersectionality, Identity, and Discrimination
The Power of Language
Mentorship, Opportunity, and Dignity
Friendship
Summary
Analysis
The next day, Jade makes plans to meet up with Maxine on Saturday. On Saturday, Maxine envelops Jade in a hug that seems to be an apology and a promise all in one. They get in Maxine’s car and Jade shares that she wants more from Woman to Woman. She says that she’s grateful but that it often feels like Maxine wants to just fix her, which makes Jade feel broken. Maxine listens attentively. Jade says that the program takes them outside their neighborhood, which makes her feel like her neighborhood isn’t good enough. She adds that she was excited to meet Maxine’s family until she saw that Maxine just wanted to use her to prove something to Mrs. Winters, and Maxine never let her speak for herself. Sometimes, Jade says, it seems like Maxine is ashamed of her.
For the first time, Maxine sits quietly and listens to everything Jade has to say, which will help Maxine move forward and be a better friend and mentor to Jade. It also gives Jade the experience of having someone in charge listen to her and take her seriously. As Jade practices speaking up and advocating for herself, it’s important that she have experiences where people whom she trusts (more or less) listen to her and take her seriously. This will help her understand that even if people won’t listen all the time, it’s still worth it to give it a try.
Themes
Maxine pulls into a parking lot and apologizes. She sounds ready to cry as she validates everything Jade said. Jade thinks that this conversation isn’t as intense or scary as she thought it would be as Maxine asks what Jade wants out of Woman to Woman. Jade says she’d like to learn how to create a budget and balance a checkbook but she reiterates that she doesn’t want to seem unappreciative. Maxine insists that it’s great that Jade is bringing this up, and she thinks it’s a great idea when Jade suggests they all visit Mia’s gallery. When Maxine asks if there’s anything else Jade wants to talk about, Jade surprises herself and says, “Jon.” Maxine says they can talk about him over dinner.
Given Jade’s fear of coming across as unappreciative, it seems as though she believes she can’t ask for what she wants and appreciate what Woman to Woman already does at the same time. However, what she’s asking for is perfectly reasonable—and Jade will be able to appreciate the program even more if it actually teaches her useful, meaningful things.
Themes
