The Bluest Eye: Winter

"We looked into the living-room window, expecting to see Mama. Instead we saw Mr. Henry and two women. In a playful manner, the way grandmothers do with babies, he was sucking the fingers of one of the women, whose laughter filled a tiny place over his head. he other woman was buttoning her coat. We knew immediately who they were, and our flesh crawled.One was China, and the other was called the Maginot Line. The back of my neck itched. These were the fancy women of the maroon nail polish that Mama and Big Mama hated. And in our house." (pg. 77)

Claudia, Pecola, and Freida arrive home after being sent out for ice cream by Mr. Henry, their boarder. Mr. Henry seemed to be nice by paying for treats for the girls, but in actuality, he just wanted them to leave. Mr. Henry knew that the children's mother wouldn't be home any time soon. Mr. Henry just wanted to be alone at the house; or so we think. Apparently Mr. Henry hired one of the prostitutes from above Pecola's home. Mr. Henry had also hired the Maginot Line. It's obvious to the audience what was going on while the girls were out. But as narrated, the girls had no clue. All they knew was two women their mother did not like were over at the house with Mr. Henry. The girls decide not to tell Mama because they are afraid of her becoming mad and punishing them.

I believe that this is a insight into the personality and actions of Mr. Henry. This is the first time Mr. Henry has truly been brought up as a relative character in the novel. Obviously boarding with the MacTeers holds a considerable impact on each of the girl's childhood. The children did absolutely nothing about having two prostitutes with a man in their house. On that note, I think that the three girls' non-response shows their innocence towards grown-ups' actions in general.

Q: Are the girls so afraid of their mother that they wouldn't tell on Mr. Henry, or is it because Mr. Henry gave them money for ice-cream they hadn't gotten from Maureen?