There
are many questions about the novel Ellen
Foster by Kaye Gibbons that are open for exploration. First of all, the question
“why does Ellen like painting so much?” has many possible interpretations.
Personally, I think Ellen likes to paint because it is a way of expression and
getting her thoughts out in the open. It
is obvious from the chaotic writing style used by Gibbons that Ellen cannot differentiate
her thoughts from reality. Painting is a way for her to say her thoughts and how she feels,
without having to talk.
Another
burning question is “why does Ellen’s view of Starletta change from the beginning
of the book to the end?” I feel that
Ellen’s view went from seeing Starletta in a discriminatory way, to just seeing Starletta
for the person she was. In the beginning, Ellen said she would never eat a “colored”
biscuit, even if she was starving. However, in the last chapter, Ellen invited
Starletta over for a sleepover; her new mama even sewed the letter “S” into
towels for Starletta to use and feel special! I feel that as Ellen changed, her
views did, too. Ellen was pushed from house to house, and I believe that humbled
her. She was exposed to hatred from her mama’s mama, and I think Ellen realized
that evil is bestowed within someone’s personality, not their color.
Lastly,
the question “how does Ellen’s new dress represent the start of a new life for
her?” Growing up, Ellen never had anything nice. The only nice presents she ever
received were bought by her for herself. I think that that dress makes Ellen
feel so special because it makes her feel worth something. The dress makes her
feel proud, instead of hiding her life like she does for most of her childhood.
