How do the women of the novel contribute to Milkman’s journey? Which women serve as “dolls,” “doormats,” or “birds,” and how? This discussion will help students trace the theme Beyond the Doll and the Doormat: The Power of Black Women.

Teaching Suggestion: Prepare a three-column chart on the board before the discussion. Label one column “Doll,” another “Doormat,” and the third “Bird.” Ask the class to categorize the following women, recording their names in the appropriate columns: Ruth, Lena, First Corinthians, Pilate, Reba, and Hagar. For each, record supporting evidence for the categorization.

Differentiation Suggestion: For ESL students or students with learning challenges, open a discussion to describe and define the symbolism of calling a woman (or anyone) a “doll,” “doormat,” or “bird” before asking them to categorize the female characters. To call a woman a “doll” is to suggest that she is pretty but not smart and to call a woman a “doormat” is to suggest that she submits to the will of others without protest or self-consideration. To call a woman a “bird” suggests she can fly because nothing weighs her down.