When reading this novel, you may notice a number of attributes of motherhood that have been highlighted by the author. First of all, it is important to note that there are two mother figures in Maya's life, and these are Vivian and Annie. Vivian is her biological mother, while Annie is her paternal grandmother who she calls mom and spends most of her life in her home. At first Maya is bitter about being abandoned by her parents, but slowly adjusts to living with her. grandmother along with her brother Bailey. As she gets used to thinking of Annie as her mother and calling her "mom," she develops trust and affection that places Annie in a hierarchy in Maya's eyes. In this sense, her concept of motherhood inspires confidence based on strength of character and the ability to provide comfort and security. As for her mother Vivian, Maya shows confidence when she asks her about the changes in her body and whether she might be a lesbian based on these changes or lack thereof. Vivian further evokes Maya's trust when she allows her to skip school when Maya doesn't feel like attending classes after starting work as a bus driver. Another concept of motherhood described is that of strength where after her parents' divorce, Maya's mother is able to move on with her life and also support her daughter against her boyfriend, Mr. Freeman. Here Maya considers the aspect of strength as one of the pillars of motherhood and persists despite her doubts and fears as a young woman. When she returns to Mom's house after Mr. Freeman's death, she experiences her grandmother's strength in helping her overcome her silence. Beyond just observing others, Maya also encompasses...... middle of paper.... ..with her charismatic brother who constantly looks out for her, supports her, and believes in her when no one else does ago. This positively affects her attitude towards men. Years later, however, her mother's boyfriend molests and rapes her, thus changing her perspective on men or rather broadening her understanding of them. He sees Mr. Freeman as the pedophile he actually is. However, on the threshold of adulthood, she develops curiosity towards men and at a certain point considers them as objects of her pleasure. She also begins to love and respect her mother's husband to the point of trusting him while her mother is away on business. Maya goes through a difficult time in the hands of a man, even after being abandoned by her father at an early age. This, however, does not turn her completely against men, but rather opens her mind allowing her to see them objectively.