Acceptance through Don't Explain
Acceptance is a large theme woven throughout the novel, Don't Explain. This concept is evident as women find acceptance as individuals, friends, women of color and lesbians. Although the settings and genre may change as you go from story to story, the main concept that each individual can find a place in this book is clear. Blow is a short analysis of four short stories from Gomez's collection, used to help highlight how acceptance can be found within Don't Explain.
Black Lesbian Acceptance in Don't Explain
White Flower
White Flower is a great example of how an individual can go through the motions each day; yet fail to find a place where he/she belongs. White flower shows the lack of fulfillment and contentment in one black woman's daily life. Her excitement and purpose is found each time she receives that fateful phone call from Naoimi. In a life where Luisa feels unaccepted and unwelcome, she finds a semblance of acceptance in her relationship with Naoimi, no matter how brief the encounter is. This short story offers a place of acceptance for those who read it and are looking for a place to belong. It offers a glimpse of what could be, but also pushes the reader to seek the life where acceptance could be found each day, rather than only when the phone rings.
White Flower is a great example of how an individual can go through the motions each day; yet fail to find a place where he/she belongs. White flower shows the lack of fulfillment and contentment in one black woman's daily life. Her excitement and purpose is found each time she receives that fateful phone call from Naoimi. In a life where Luisa feels unaccepted and unwelcome, she finds a semblance of acceptance in her relationship with Naoimi, no matter how brief the encounter is. This short story offers a place of acceptance for those who read it and are looking for a place to belong. It offers a glimpse of what could be, but also pushes the reader to seek the life where acceptance could be found each day, rather than only when the phone rings.
Don't Explain
Acceptance in this story is found in the familiarity of a song, sung by a woman who understands the depth of a woman's life: the ups, the downs, the secrets and the cherished moments. Listening to the song allows Letty, the main character, to go to her own place. Listening with another woman who understands the lyrical notes in the same way allows for a moment of clarity and companionship. In a society that does not offer a home or acceptance to a Black lesbian woman like Letty, this short story shows the purity of moments where acceptance is found.
"Hush now, don't explain
Just say you'll return
I'm glad you're back
Don't explain..."(Gomez, 27)
Acceptance in this story is found in the familiarity of a song, sung by a woman who understands the depth of a woman's life: the ups, the downs, the secrets and the cherished moments. Listening to the song allows Letty, the main character, to go to her own place. Listening with another woman who understands the lyrical notes in the same way allows for a moment of clarity and companionship. In a society that does not offer a home or acceptance to a Black lesbian woman like Letty, this short story shows the purity of moments where acceptance is found.
"Hush now, don't explain
Just say you'll return
I'm glad you're back
Don't explain..."(Gomez, 27)
Ounce of Charm
The use of erotica opens up and fills the physical space of the story being told. In the rich descriptions Gomez provides, individuals find themselves in these experiences. In Ounce of Charm, the erotic experience is the climax of the story. The emotions of the characters can be identified with by the reader. In the beginning, Juanita is introduced as a beautiful, intelligent woman. There is no explanation as to why she does not have a man in her life. When this route doesn't work for her, she takes her future into her own hands, unknowingly headed towards a relationship with a woman. In these few short pages, a woman is transformed from not having what society tells her she should have, to having the most fulfilling relationship possible. The only catch is that this relationship is with a woman, rather than a man. Gomez opens up the space of possibility and opportunity for those who seek something more and hope for a place to find themselves.
The use of erotica opens up and fills the physical space of the story being told. In the rich descriptions Gomez provides, individuals find themselves in these experiences. In Ounce of Charm, the erotic experience is the climax of the story. The emotions of the characters can be identified with by the reader. In the beginning, Juanita is introduced as a beautiful, intelligent woman. There is no explanation as to why she does not have a man in her life. When this route doesn't work for her, she takes her future into her own hands, unknowingly headed towards a relationship with a woman. In these few short pages, a woman is transformed from not having what society tells her she should have, to having the most fulfilling relationship possible. The only catch is that this relationship is with a woman, rather than a man. Gomez opens up the space of possibility and opportunity for those who seek something more and hope for a place to find themselves.
Water with the Wine
Water with the Wine follows a professor and her past, current and future relationships. The story offers a look at self-acceptance when the main character, Alberta, struggles to find ways to love and be loved. Her ex-lover broke up with her, and she struggled to get over the relationship, making it difficult to understand a blooming relationship with a younger woman. Emma, a student from a university across the country who is pursuing Alberta, shows her what is is to be completely accepted. She shows her that relationships can come in different ways, ways in which one may not be expecting. Alberta confides all of her worries and doubts in her best friend Joyce, a friend who has always been there for her and understood her. Ultimately, Alberta comes to the realization that although she is aging, she can still love herself and be loved by others.
Water with the Wine follows a professor and her past, current and future relationships. The story offers a look at self-acceptance when the main character, Alberta, struggles to find ways to love and be loved. Her ex-lover broke up with her, and she struggled to get over the relationship, making it difficult to understand a blooming relationship with a younger woman. Emma, a student from a university across the country who is pursuing Alberta, shows her what is is to be completely accepted. She shows her that relationships can come in different ways, ways in which one may not be expecting. Alberta confides all of her worries and doubts in her best friend Joyce, a friend who has always been there for her and understood her. Ultimately, Alberta comes to the realization that although she is aging, she can still love herself and be loved by others.
A Word from Jewelle Gomez
When asked Gomez to speak about how Acceptance is a running theme throughout Don't Explain, she responded:
"I believe we all must first seek acceptance within ourselves. This is true whether you are a lesbian of color, an Irish heterosexual, a Russian bi sexual, whatever. Learning who you are, what is important to you, what your values are, what you will contribute to the world...these are the most important things at your core. Then we seek family or community. Few humans want to be totally alone in the world so we look to others to create that community with us and acceptance...ours of others and theirs of us...means we have family. I don't seek acceptance from white people or any other group. I look for my legal and social rights and hope people will mind their manners around me."
"I believe we all must first seek acceptance within ourselves. This is true whether you are a lesbian of color, an Irish heterosexual, a Russian bi sexual, whatever. Learning who you are, what is important to you, what your values are, what you will contribute to the world...these are the most important things at your core. Then we seek family or community. Few humans want to be totally alone in the world so we look to others to create that community with us and acceptance...ours of others and theirs of us...means we have family. I don't seek acceptance from white people or any other group. I look for my legal and social rights and hope people will mind their manners around me."