Culture 2: African American Literature - Angela Johnson Novel

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA:

Johnson, Angela. 1993. TONING THE SWEEP. New York: Orchard Books. ISBN 0531086267

PLOT SUMMARY:

Angela Johnson tells the powerful tale of fourteen year old Emmie as she discovers more about herself and her family during a trip to the desert to help her sick grandmother pack and move back home. As Emmie uncovers the profound history of her family and begins to learn as much as she can about her Grandmama Ola, she captures it all on a camcorder to help her remember everything. Just as Emmie begins to realize that her grandmother is dying, she finds out the truth behind her grandfather’s racially motivated murder and her mother’s pain at having been the one to discover his body. Emmie’s already strong bond with her grandmother is further strengthened as a result of this eye-opening trip, and she discovers the true meaning of family, love, and friendship.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The story is told through fourteen year old Emmie’s eyes, and readers will easily relate to her curious and honest nature. Readers will also sympathize with her strong bond with her grandmother and sometimes strained relationship with her mother. Emmie’s family is not perfect, but that is what makes them so easy to relate to. Grandmama Ola’s spirited and eccentric character is a strong influence to the story, and her battle with cancer will strike a chord with readers. The characters in the story also serve as significant cultural markers for the story, and Johnson skillfully balances the universal themes of the story with rich details relating to the African American culture. For example, Johnson’s description of Emmie’s hair in “kinky waves” as well as Emmie daydreaming of being an “African queen” help to immerse the reader in the cultural details of the story.

The family history that Emmie uncovers is also another significant cultural marker for this story. As Emmie uncovers the details about her grandfather’s racially motivated murder, the reader is given a glimpse into the hatred and oppression that African Americans have dealt with simply because of the color of their skin. Johnson uncovers this harsh ugliness and personalizes it by showing how racism and violence affect entire families.

The desert setting of the story is also significant, and Johnson skillfully uses this setting to give depth to the story through imagery and powerful descriptions. In this hot and dry climate where few plants can survive and Grandmama Ola struggles with cancer, Emmie discovers that life continues to bloom as her family continues to thrive.

This powerful novel combines a great story about the bonds of family and friends with authentic cultural details. Both young readers and adults will appreciate Johnson’s strong characters, richly detailed setting, and emotional plot.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY starred (July 1994):
“PW , in a starred review, praised this ``thoughtfully nuanced and penetrating'' novel about three generations of women from an African American family who must cope with a beloved grandmother's illness.”

CONNECTIONS:

1994 winner of the Coretta Scott King Award

“Toning the sweep” refers to a ritual to honor the dead by making a sound by drumming a plow. Invite students to find out more about this ritual and its origins.

After reading TONING THE SWEEP, have students visit a biographical website about Angela Johnson, such as http://www.visitingauthors.com/authors/johnson_angela/johnson_angela_bio.html. Students might be interested in learning more about her life and where her writing ideas come from.

Other novels by Angela Johnson with an African American focus: HEAVEN and THE FIRST PART LAST.