Journal Entry #4

“I big, I talk, I eats, I cook, I laugh, watch TV, do what my muver say. But I can see when the picture come back I don’t exist. Don’t nobody want me. Don’t nobody need me. I know who I am. I know who they say I am - vampire sucking the system’s blood. Ugly black grease to be wipe away, punish, kilt, changed, finded a job for.” (31) When I read this quote from Precious, I was hurt, angry, and confused. This quote makes me think about the novel in terms of a theme, symbols, and the title of the novel. The author uses the symbol of a “vampire”, characters who “suck the life” out of something or someone. They are seen as negative characters in terms of their personal traits. Precious thinks, “I know who they say I am - vampire sucking the system’s blood.” I think this displays some of the typical stereotypes presented by society, the stereotypes about blacks, pregnant teens, and even those who are obese. This may sound a bit harsh, but this is what I think of when I heard that quote. By the system she means the government, the people who offer food stamps, Medicaid, and other public services. By the system she means the system that does not want her to, nor thinks she will succeed because she is black. By the system she means the people who think she will live off of these programs everyday and not support her own self. I mean it was her own fault she had got pregnant. Even the people who see an obese teenager, who believes all she does is sit around and eat, and therefore cannot make a living for herself. This is what comes to mind by the “system”, but in fact the system could be considered a vampire. The people in the system are in fact sucking the life out of Precious and therefore leaves her feeling invisible, wanted for nothing, and insecure. So, do I see Precious as a victim? Yes, I see her as a lost soul searching for the love, independence, and freedom she needs and deserves. She has been through “hell” already and it is evident in the way she portrays herself.

Words: 377