Black Star

“He’s not a girl, though.

Maybe I’ll be the first girl pitcher to play professional.

Keep dreaming, Charley.

I will, Willie.”

This quote directly supports the theme of Dreams and Determination and female empowerment. Through her dialogue, it is clear that Charley refuses to give up on her idealistic goals, no matter the odds. The statement “I will, Willie” is declarative; this shows her characteristic assuredness, in contrast to Willie’s skepticism.

“[H]e didn’t

have to be

that insulted

when Cecil called me

his gal-friend.”

Willie is offended when Cecil implies that Charley is his “gal-friend.” While the two are close friends, Willie takes insult to her being anything more. This quote emphasizes Charley’s annoyance, as she feels upset at Willie’s rejection—evidenced by her emphasis on “that insulted.”

“I LOVE SUNDAY DINNER

because after church everyone comes to our home

because of the heavenly smell of Momma’s cooking

because music and melody fill the house

because of Uncle Albert’s booming voice

[…]

because I feel whole.”

The repetition of the word “because” creates anaphora that establishes all the reasons Charley enjoys Sunday dinner. The sensory detail adds immersive aspects to the scene, such as what Charley sees, hears, tastes, and feels. The last line also displays Charley’s comfort and deep family connection, as Momma’s cooking, Uncle Albert’s voice, and everyone around make her feel “whole.”

“Y’all think if you don’t tell her about evil, then it does not exist?”

Nana’s dialogue demonstrates the racism and violence against Black people that he and others in the community experience—something that other members of his family want to shield Charley from. However, his rhetorical question emphasizes its impossibility, as evil still exists in the world. He’s referring to George’s lynching here, and his words foreshadow that he will be honest with Charley about society’s racist violence and systemic oppression.

“But, Nana, I’ve played with them before, and they couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat.”

This quote employs hyperbole to emphasize Charley’s belief that her nieces and nephews are not athletically capable. The exaggerated comparison—“couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat”—creates a concrete image of a person failing at even the simplest task. Here, Charley’s tone is humorous and teasing, which adds some lightness to the novel.

“Yes, sir, I’m okay. It was just a bad dream.

No such thing as a bad dream, just one that you ain’t figured out the good in yet.”

Dreams are a key symbol in the novel. While Charley believes that her dream was simply a “bad” one, Nana says otherwise. Specifically, here, Nana’s speech clarifies that Charley will later understand the depth of dreams, seeing “the good” in a “bad dream.” She needs to grow as a character to understand what is profound about her repeated dreams.

“The wonderfuls have a lot of ways and rules they expect us to follow.

Like laws?

That’s what they call ’em.

So we have to follow them.

Except when those rules and laws try to make you believe you less than you are.”

Nana advises Charley to fight back against the racist systems of power in place. His words highlight Courage Against Racial Violence, as he says that racist laws attempt to make Black people “believe [they] less than [they] are.” His words underscore that Charley must stay resolute in the fight for equality, as the rules she is expected to follow are unjust.

“Ain’t no greater power on this here earth than when you got faith and work.”

Nana’s many adages fill the book with meaningful “riddles” for Charley to interpret. This quote emphasizes that belief alone is not enough—effort is also required to reach one’s goals. The phrase “ain’t no great power” stresses the importance of the combined force of faith and work. Deciphering words like this allows Charley to grow and apply the lessons that Nana teaches her directly to her life.

“[W]ithout seeing

we can have no imagination

and without imagination

there is no possibility.”

Again, Nana gives Charley advice that inspires her. His character embodies Generational History and Self-Discovery Through Family Legacy, as he often gives her advice and stories that inspire her to pursue her dreams and believe in life’s possibilities.

“Them boys are hopeless.”

Though she often corrects others’ grammar, Charley uses “improper” grammar here when describing her nephews. Emulating the casual vernacular of those around her, Charley matter-of-factly emphasizes their abilities—or lack thereof, as she perceives here.

“[A]nd Willie Green and I

just look at each other

with our own special prayer.

Please let us beat Cecil the Third.

Amen.”

Religion is an important source of support in the novel, as Charley and her family attend church and pray often. Here, Willie and Charley turn to their faith as a source of strength and motivation. The phrase “our own special prayer” emphasizes the close bond and sense of community that the friends have with each other. “Please let us beat Cecil the Third” emphasizes how the children are turning to a higher power to positively influence the outcome of a casual baseball game, a serious matter to them.

“Nana napping

neighbors calling

skeeters buzzing

cousins wrestling

brothers bossing

sisters chasing

babies falling

doors slamming

daddies laughing

mommas fussing

music playing.”

The repeated use of “ing” words to end each line creates a strong rhythm. The author’s use of sound and steady cadence makes the poem flow, setting the scene through active “ing” verbs. Verbs such as “slamming,” “buzzing,” “chasing,” and “laughing” detail the sound and action of the space, making it come to life.

“[S]tare out the window

at the stars

escorting the night

away.”

This quote personifies the stars as living beings. They are “escorting the night away” into non-existence. This underscores that even in the darkest times, people can find the positive

“[Y]ou must have the courage and tenacity of your forebears who survived the brutal lash of slavery and fulfill your destiny, whatever that is.”

In this quote, Mary Bethune alludes to the brutal, traumatic nature of enslavement and its intergenerational impact on Black Americans. Mary highlights generational history and self-discovery through family legacy as she encourages listeners like Charley to embody the strength of their forebearers to fulfill their destinies. This quote also highlights dreams and determination, as Mary believes that people should aspire to whatever their unique destiny entails.

“It is so quiet

I can hear the moon.”

This description uses the symbolic moon’s imagery to highlight the intense silence. It mirrors the mood of waiting and patience since Charley is anticipating Nana to respond.

“What you call magic, the healers know as spirit. It is the ancestors guiding us. That is the way of our people.

[…]

An army of sheep led by a lion can defeat an army of lions led by sheep.”

Through Nana’s storytelling, he teaches Charley about ancestors guiding the way. Nana’s adage about lions is another riddle that invites Charley to reflect on the deeper meaning of leadership. In particular, it shows that strong leadership can defy the odds, as symbolized by the army of sheep led by a lion defeating an army of lions, who are typically seen as more powerful. Through this lesson, Nana conveys that the true strength of a community lies in its guidance and actions. This offers Charley a model of resilience on her journey.

“Families and friends split

like a tree

hit by lightning.”

This simile describes the quickness of people moving apart, akin to lightning striking and splitting a tree in two. Like the segregation of Black and white people, division is shown on a micro-level here when the two Black churches part ways.

“[T]o make my dreams bloom

like the purple and yellow wildflowers

swaying in that breeze

on the other side

of the park.”

The theme of dreams and determination is reflected in sensory imagery. Charley’s dreams are blooming like flowers; she compares her dreams to being equally as beautiful as the emblematic Hickory Park.

“You better smack this ball

so far into the heavens,

the angels gonna clap

for the Black Stars.”

In this quote, Charley shows that she believes in heaven and angels, furthering the role religion plays in the novel. She encourages Henry to smack the ball “so far into the heavens” that the angels clap. This hyperbolic, descriptive speech emphasizes a powerful hit so monumental that it reaches the divine realm.

“A miss is as much as a mile, I hear Nana Kofi saying

in my head,

which makes me smile.”

This quote employs a rhyme sequence between “mile” and “smile,” adding a sense of musicality to Charley’s speech. Charley uses one of Nana’s many maxims—“A miss is as much as a mile”—here to depict the baseball game’s details. Charley’s pitch makes his words come to life, matching the batter’s action of almost hitting her pitch. However, almost is not enough, which causes her to grin.

“Those who are absent do not have to be wrong.

What do you mean?

[Cecil] had to leave because he could not take losing.

[…]

Nana, why do you always speak like that?

Because when we water our words, they grow our minds.”

In this exchange, Nana’s response—“Because when we water our words, they grow our minds”—employs a metaphor, likening words to seeds that need careful nurturing to foster growth. The phrase “water our words” depicts the impact of deliberate, thoughtful communication, emphasizing the power of language to shape one's perspective. Charley’s question— “What do you mean?”—reflects her inquisitive nature and contrasts the wisdom that Nana possesses with her quest for understanding as a young person.

“My eyes are a lagoon.

My wail louder than the sea

striking the shore and I can barely hear

I love you, Charley,

as [Daddy] turns

to walk back.”

Here, Alexander uses metaphors comparing Charley’s eyes to a lagoon and saying that her wails are louder than ocean waves to express her extreme emotional turmoil. Barely hearing “I love you, Charley” further highlights her upset, as Daddy must stay behind. The image of Daddy walking away shows Charley’s feelings of loss as she is physically separated from him.

“But [Willie] doesn’t respond

just stares at me

with an empty look

like his soul has been severed

like he has no answers.”

This quote uses simile and vivid imagery to convey Willie’s emotional emptiness and turmoil when directly faced with the Ku Klux Klan’s violence. The comparison “like his soul has been severed” while he stares at Charley with an “empty look” underscores his feelings of being disconnected from himself; this shows that he is emotionally fractured by the experience. The phrase “like he has no answers” further highlights his helplessness in the situation.