May Belonging In 'Little Fires Everywhere'

Ragav Jeevanantham

Mr. Macomber

Honors English 10

5 May 2023

A family should be able to provide their children with the basic needs of life, including love, support, and a sense of belonging. The custody battle for May Ling between the McCulloughs and Bebe in the novel Little Fires Everywhere raises complex ethical and moral questions about the nature of parenthood and family. On one hand, the McCulloughs are a well-established and financially stable family that can provide the best opportunities for May Ling. On the other hand, Bebe, the biological mother, has a strong emotional bond with her child and claims she wants to be a part of May Ling's life. Bebe should have won the court trial, as she is May Ling’s biological mother and can

A biological mother is the person who carried the child for nine months, gave birth to them, and has a biological and physical connection to the child. This bond is strengthened through early bonding experiences, such as breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact. This emotional connection is evident after Bebe was able to get “a good job. I have my life together now. I want my baby back. These McCulloughs have no right adopt a baby when her own mother wants her. A child belong with her mother” (Ng 110). Bebe, the biological mother, acknowledges her past mistakes and expresses her desire to be reunited with her daughter May Ling. She recognizes that a child belongs with their mother, implying that the emotional connection between a child and their biological parent is irreplaceable and unique. Leaving May Ling at the fire station benefited both of their survival. Bebe was able to get through her postpartum depression and find a good and stable job to get her baby back, while May Ling received temporary care under the McCulloughs. Bebe is a hard worker and has held multiple jobs at a time, working long hours. She is willing to put in the work and effort required to care for a child. Bebe's intense love for May Ling and her unwavering desire to regain custody is evident in her tremendous effort and determination to rebuild her life and get back on her feet. This quote reinforces

If May Ling were to stay with the Mchulolighs, an all-white family, she would not be exposed to her true heritage and culture. Understanding her chinese heritage and roots will enable May Ling to have a better understanding of who she is and where she comes from. Bebe argues that May Ling is not just a regular baby and then she is a Chinese baby, and would learn nothing about her race and culutre if she stayed with the Mculoguhs. Similarly, Serena Wong’s father, Dr. Wang (also of some asian background) argued that “To pretend that this baby is just a baby—to pretend like there’s no race issue here—is disingenuous,” Dr. Wong had snapped, while Serena fidgeted at the edge of the shot. “And no, I’m not ‘playing the race card.’ Ask yourself: would we be having such a heated discussion if this baby were blond?” (129 Ng).Dr. Wong emphasizes the colorblindness of the Shaker Heights society reflected through the McCulloughs in the sense that they only see her as a regular baby rather than a Chinese baby. Racial colorblindness may seem like a good thing as being unbiased, although this disregards the systemic racism and discrimination many face. Additionally, it also erases people’s identities and experiences. Additionally, the novel demonstrates how the Mcullighs indeed did not expose May Ling to her culture and heritage, where Ed Lim concluded that