I remember that passage, and it always struck me that it’s a very self centered one coming from the main character. She doesn’t know this man’s life or relationships, but as a young person just starting out in life that’s her perception.
I don't know the book (and should probably read it before sperging further) but I'll assume she came from a comfortable or at least normal upbringing. Why would she have cause to think that people's circumstances could be so shitty? Especially if she's young and doesn't yet know how dark life can get. Even as an older citizen I've found this thread pretty educational!
No one has ever loved any of these people while they were children. Not loved for being small humans who need to be helped to become happy big humans. Children are a means to an end for these people. They're unhappy accidents. They're bargaining chips to use against your current and past partners. They're welfare checks, and small slaves you can make fetch your Dr Pepper and weed vape when you don't feel like getting up off the mattress. They're little punching bags you can take out your frustration on. There isn't a single child from a main Sammieverse character who is unconditionally loved, supported, encouraged and protected by their parents. You can see it in Sammies complete neglect, and her open indifference to her daughter. JJ and Austin haven't seen their kids in how long? And DHS is a constant presence in Kims life, and she's STILL not taking care of Aiden. Kristie and Steven have a completely dysfunctional, abusive relationship as adults now. It's horrific, and it's sad. Literally all it takes to break these cycles is one person. And it's been literal generations of this shit with these retards. It's hopeless at this point. The donkey brain is so bred into them, I legit don't think they could become good parents if they tried.
Give it a year or two. Once she's had the first kid and her engagement falls apart and she starts that single mom/CNA shift work life, she's probably going straight into the gutter physically.
You're right, and I know that you have insight into this. I suppose it still boggles my mind despite having read every page of this thread. It's frustrating but darkly amusing when we only see Sammie project her 'my kids is black, chile' nonsense, but then when the wider cast of characters prove themselves to be even worse, it illustrates your point. This is all they know!
I don't know the book (and should probably read it before sperging further) but I'll assume she came from a comfortable or at least normal upbringing. Why would she have cause to think that people's circumstances could be so shitty? Especially if she's young and doesn't yet know how dark life can get. Even as an older citizen I've found this thread pretty educational!
Actually, the protagonist lives in poverty. Her father cannot hold a job due to alcoholism and her mother must take on menial work to feed her children, who are shamed by those around them for their family's circumstances. They often have little to eat except a daily cup of coffee, which is the inspiration for my absolute favorite passage in the whole book. I've loved this part since I was a child growing up food insecure (and coffee addicted).
There was a special Nolan idea about the coffee. It was their one great luxury. Mama made a big potful each morning and reheated it for dinner and supper and it got stronger as the day wore on. It was an awful lot of water and very little coffee but mama put a lump of chicory in it which made it taste strong and bitter. Each one was allowed three cups a day with milk. Other times you could help yourself to a cup of black coffee anytime you felt like it. Sometimes when you had nothing at all and it was raining and you were alone in the flat, it was wonderful to know that you could have something even though it was only a cup of black and bitter coffee.
@Free the Pedos, I'd never really thought about the earlier passage that way, but I have to admit, I'm rolling it around in my head. I reread A Tree Grows in Brooklyn every spring and I'll come at with new eyes this time around.
I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a historical bildungsroman, especially if you know what it's like to grow up poor.
@Free the Pedos, I'd never really thought about the earlier passage that way, but I have to admit, I'm rolling it around in my head. I reread A Tree Grows in Brooklyn every spring and I'll come at with new eyes this time around.
I do the same thing with Gone with the Wind. That book really hits a woman differently every few years of her life.
I’m glad I could give you something to chew on!
Actually, the protagonist lives in poverty. Her father cannot hold a job due to alcoholism and her mother must take on menial work to feed her children, who are shamed by those around them for their family's circumstances. They often have little to eat except a daily cup of coffee, which is the inspiration for my absolute favorite passage in the whole book. I've loved this part since I was a child growing up food insecure (and coffee addicted).
There was a special Nolan idea about the coffee. It was their one great luxury. Mama made a big potful each morning and reheated it for dinner and supper and it got stronger as the day wore on. It was an awful lot of water and very little coffee but mama put a lump of chicory in it which made it taste strong and bitter. Each one was allowed three cups a day with milk. Other times you could help yourself to a cup of black coffee anytime you felt like it. Sometimes when you had nothing at all and it was raining and you were alone in the flat, it was wonderful to know that you could have something even though it was only a cup of black and bitter coffee.
@Free the Pedos, I'd never really thought about the earlier passage that way, but I have to admit, I'm rolling it around in my head. I reread A Tree Grows in Brooklyn every spring and I'll come at with new eyes this time around.
I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a historical bildungsroman, especially if you know what it's like to grow up poor.
Makes me so sad and upset thinking about kids going hungry, I cant read anything too depressing or it gives me worse anxiety. I'm so sorry you had to deal with food issues growing up. I hope your life turned out better.
Sammies been pretty quiet, but she made this tiktok lol. It's just this picture with a song attached.
Kim seems a bit better and did a few tiktoks involving this dr pepper strawberries and cream. Full sugar of course for the diabetic. I hope Aidens doing okay. I'm sure he was there when she was found dead and I dont trust kim to shield him from it.
I have not looked into him in forever, last time I looked he still with the girl he was with years ago. No mention of his kids though it's very sad.
Makes me so sad and upset thinking about kids going hungry, I cant read anything too depressing or it gives me worse anxiety. I'm so sorry you had to deal with food issues growing up. I hope your life turned out better.
Sammies been pretty quiet, but she made this tiktok lol. It's just this picture with a song attached. View attachment 4435516
I could readily believe she took Linda's pants or they are something from family dollar.
Also, why does it look like Kim has a micro bepis or something coming from her fupa in this picture? Its too low to be an outie belly button and it's super distracting bc wtf is that?
The outfit would look kinda charming on an actual meemaw, though. The sort of sweet old lady who has spent all morning in the garden and then puts on some comfy clothes to whip up something delicious (a cake or a fruit pie, maybe) because the grandkids are due to stay the night. When Kim wears it, it screams 'day release'.
Also, why does it look like Kim has a micro bepis or something coming from her fupa in this picture? Its too low to be an outie belly button and it's super distracting bc wtf is that?
I have not looked into him in forever, last time I looked he still with the girl he was with years ago. No mention of his kids though it's very sad.
Makes me so sad and upset thinking about kids going hungry, I cant read anything too depressing or it gives me worse anxiety. I'm so sorry you had to deal with food issues growing up. I hope your life turned out better.
Sammies been pretty quiet, but she made this tiktok lol. It's just this picture with a song attached. View attachment 4435516
It's a panniculus, not a pannus. I'm pretty sure the thing we're looking at is the end of the drawstring on her sweatpants, but I'm too scared to look any closer.
