Content warning: This section of the guide discusses racism, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse.

“Sweetness” is set in the 1950s in a world that values (proximity to) whiteness. The theme of Colorism and White-Passing runs throughout the story and is one of its central concerns. Like her grandmother and her mother before her, Sweetness herself is light-skinned and has been able to pass as white, but her daughter, Lula Ann, has dark skin, which has led to her being ostracized by both Black and white communities. Morrison uses this theme to comment on the complexities of racial identity. Sweetness is aware of her own privileges as a light-skinned Black woman, but she is unable to protect herself and her daughter from racist discrimination. Morrison explores these layers when Sweetness leaves Lula Ann at home when finding a place to rent, only to be illegally turned away by white landlords herself. Sweetness considers her own internalized racism throughout the story.

The story is told from Sweetness’s perspective, which creates a heightened tone of confession when Sweetness admits to the depths of her shame, including nearly killing Lula Ann. This tone institutes the theme of

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