Understanding the Narrator's Mom

Front

What is the “snake” the narrator is talking about?

Back

The “snake” is a long, thick braid of her mom’s hair.

Front

Why did the narrator’s mom cut her hair?

Back

She cut her hair because it gave her headaches.

Front

What does the narrator ask her mom about her own hair?

Back

The narrator asks her mom if she will cut her hair.

Front

What does the narrator’s mom promise about her hair?

Back

The mom promises she will only trim the ends of the narrator’s hair.

Front

What stories does the mom tell the narrator every day?

Back

The mom tells stories while cleaning, cooking, or going places like the library or supermarket.

Front

How old was the mom when she left the reservation?

Back

The mom was 16 years old when she left the reservation.

Front

Why did the mom go to Chicago?

Back

She went to Chicago to work and help the family during the war.

Front

How does the narrator describe her mom?

Back

The narrator describes her mom as tall, strong, and like a skyscraper.