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40. Home Is Where
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in With the Fire on High, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Coming of Age and Teen Parenthood
Creativity vs. Professional Norms
Food and Connection
Caregiving, Independence, and Identity
Support, Community, and Mentorship
Summary
Analysis
Teachers seem to forget that Emoni has been making hard choices for years. She had to decide to wean Babygirl early so she wasn’t dripping breastmilk at school, or to send Babygirl to daycare. Emoni had to decide whether to have a baby, which was the hardest decision she’s ever made. Tyrone’s parents wanted Emoni to get an abortion, but Tyrone left it up to Emoni. ’Buela cried; she thought she’d raised her last kid. But ’Buela told Emoni that if she decided to have the baby, this would be the last time anyone would ask her what she wanted—everyone will prioritize the baby if Emoni stays pregnant. Julio said nothing when she told him. Emoni eventually went to the free clinic, where the doctor talked through all the options. But Emoni realized there was no perfect answer. Just the right answer for her.
Here, Emoni begins to highlight the fact that being a kid and being a parent aren’t at all the same thing. She may be young, and she may still be under her teachers and caregivers’ jurisdiction a lot of the time, but she’s also responsible for Babygirl—and this means making choices her same-age classmates have never dreamed of making. As Emoni explains, choosing to have a baby meant that she essentially forfeited her ability to make decisions just for herself. Despite Emoni’s uncertainty elsewhere in life, she implies that having Babygirl was the right choice for her. So, hopefully, Emoni will be able to find the same kind of peace and confidence as she makes decisions about her future.
Themes
