Shoofly Pie Character Analysis

Marianne Williamson, an American author and lecturer, wrote, “Our triumph over sorrow is not that we can avoid it but that we can endure it. And therein lies our hope, that in spirit we might become bigger than the problems we face.” Mattie, the main character in Naomi Shihab Nye’s short story, Shoofly Pie triumphed over sorrow and endured the loss of her mother. Mattie endured a tragic event and found that she must push through the lugubrious times. After Mattie bore the emotional hardship of her mother’s death and learned that you must be strong and not let the sorrow take over. In the story Mattie got a job to distract herself. But as she made friends they taught Mattie that you cannot run from your problems you have to face them.

Mattie happened upon the Good For You Restaurant one afternoon and discovered that she could relate to everyone who worked there because each of them had also lost a loved one. Riyad has lost his

Therefore she is considered a round character. At the beginning of the story Mattie does not want to deal with the issue of her mother’s death. Although, towards the end Mattie decides that she needs to face her problems. In the end, Mattie comes to terms with her problems. The thoughts of the author are displayed throughout the story. It is clear that the author thinks that dealing with grief, although hard, is the right thing to do. In conclusion, the death of Mattie’s mother effects Mattie in many ways. Mattie decides that she will use her job at the Good For You restaurant as a distraction. In doing this Mattie met people that she could relate to, which she effected for the better. Throughout, the story Mattie’s character changes from wanting to be distracted to deciding she must face her mother’s death. Mattie’s character is very important to the story and the other characters in it, she changes her own life and in doing so she changes the lives of the people who surround