Lacey and the Community

Lacey, a young girl, is facing several challenges in her life. Her Maths teacher, Mrs. Lopez, doesn’t seem to like her and makes it clear that she wasn’t wanted at the school. Lacey has already proved her talent by winning a place in a government secondary school, but Mrs. Lopez’s foreign ways, her ‘proper’ accent, and her air of superiority make her look down on people who aren’t like her. Mrs. Lopez doesn’t consider Lacey significant or worthy of her attention because Lacey’s mother was unmarried, and she lives in a country village.

Lacey’s father, Mr. Cephas, is another source of conflict in her life. Although he allows her to live with him so she can attend school, he puts limits on what she should aspire to. He sees her as one of the many ornaments in his home, there to be admired and bring him praise from his friends. He believes that education for girls is unnecessary, as a woman’s place is in the kitchen doing household chores. He is angry when he sees Michael, Lacey’s brother, doing this kind of “women’s work,” and his treatment of Miss Velma shows what he really thinks Lacey should be trained for in life.

Despite all the challenges, Lacey is determined to succeed and be all that she can be in life. Winning a scholarship is a turning point for her, as it shows her that she has the ability to achieve her dreams. Her mother’s experience inspires her to work hard to get an education, and she approaches her studies with enthusiasm. However, the community she lives in has a different idea of her role. They believe that, as a female child, her place is at home, serving the man. They think that there is nothing more for her to do in life, and that she should know her place.

Lacey knows that the end will be this way, and there seems to be nothing more she can do. Nevertheless, she remains determined to overcome the challenges and prove her worth, hoping that someday, she will be able to change the narrow-minded views of those around her.

Internal Conflict – Lacey and self

Lacey is a young girl who is undergoing a challenging phase in her life. She experiences several inner conflicts that are causing her a great deal of distress. One of her biggest dilemmas is reconciling her desire for an education with her unwillingness to continue living with her father. On the one hand, she is determined to get an education, but on the other hand, she does not want to stay in her father’s home.

Furthermore, Lacey’s desire to excel in her studies is often overshadowed by her frustration with Mr Cephas, who boasts about her accomplishments to his friends. Although she wants to be a model student, she sometimes resorts to breaking the rules, hoping to get sent home. As a result, she feels guilty and ashamed of herself.

Lacey is generally a polite girl, but she loses her temper with Mrs Lopez when she taunts Anjanee. She explodes and answers rudely, which is out of character for her. Her behavior makes her feel even more conflicted and confused.

After her illness, Lacey is tempted to give up on her education and her dreams. However, she decides to go back to school for the sake of her mother, grandmother, and as a tribute to Anjanee. She knows that it will not be easy, but she is willing to try, despite the challenges she faces.

All of these inner conflicts take a toll on Lacey, and she eventually suffers a nervous breakdown. It is clear that she needs support and guidance to overcome these challenges and find a way forward.