The story is structured around five encounters between Twyla and Roberta, starting when they are 8 years old. The author highlights similarities and differences between the two in every encounter as they transition from the orphanage to the world, from children to mothers, from outsiders to insiders. Compare and contrast their identities as they change over the course of the story.

How would the story be different if it were told from Roberta's point of view rather, than Twyla's point of view? What would Roberta's "recitative" consist of?

Motherhood is a powerful symbol in this story, from the beginning of the story to the end. Who are the various matriarchal figures in this story, and what different types of mothering are represented?