The Twelve Tribes of Hattie | Ayana Mathis | Cliff Note Books
“The Twelve Tribes of Hattie” is a novel written by Ayana Mathis. The book tells the story of Hattie Shepherd, an African-American woman who moves from Georgia to Philadelphia in the early 20th century, hoping to escape poverty and discrimination.
The novel is divided into twelve chapters, each of which focuses on a different member of Hattie’s family, spanning several generations. Through these characters, the novel explores themes of identity, family, race, and the African-American experience in the United States.
The first chapter introduces Hattie as a young mother, struggling to raise her children in a world that is hostile to their existence. She is determined to provide for her family, but her efforts are often thwarted by poverty, illness, and discrimination. The following chapters introduce Hattie’s children, each of whom is struggling to find their own place in the world.
The novel is set against the backdrop of the Great Migration, a period in American history when millions of African-Americans left the South in search of better opportunities in the North. The characters in the book are shaped by this historical context, as they grapple with issues of race, class, and identity in a rapidly changing world.
Overall, “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie” is a powerful and moving novel that explores the complexities of the African-American experience in the United States. It has been praised for its vivid characters, lyrical prose, and insightful exploration of history and culture.
QUOTES
“There were many things that he wanted and a few that he needed, but he could never tell the difference.”
“Love is not a gift. It is a responsibility.”
“People are more than just their circumstances.”
“Hattie had learned that disappointment and hope were inextricably intertwined, like fire and oxygen.”
“Time passed like a hand waving from a train I wanted to be on.”
“She had long ago given up the notion that the world was fair.”
“There was no safety, no surety, in love.”
“Hattie had spent her whole life trying to escape the South, but it seemed the South had followed her wherever she went.”
“The past is always with us, pressing against our backs like a memory we can’t forget.”
“Hattie wondered what it was that made some people live and others die, and whether it was something inside them or something outside, something beyond their control.”
AUTHOR
Ayana Mathis is an American writer born on August 28, 1972, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is the author of the novel “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie,” which was published in 2012 to critical acclaim and became a New York Times bestseller.
Mathis grew up in Philadelphia and attended the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she earned her MFA in creative writing. After graduation, she worked as a waitress, a nanny, and a freelance writer before turning to fiction writing full-time.
In addition to her novel, Mathis has published short stories in various literary magazines, including the Virginia Quarterly Review and the Paris Review. She has also taught creative writing at a number of institutions, including the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, the Writer’s Foundry at St. Joseph’s College, and the New York State Summer Writers Institute at Skidmore College.
Mathis has received numerous honors and awards for her writing, including a fellowship from the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, a fellowship from the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Mathis currently resides in Brooklyn, New York, and is at work on her second novel.
CRITICISMS
Although “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie” by Ayana Mathis received widespread critical acclaim and was a New York Times bestseller, there were some criticisms of the book as well. Here are a few:
Fragmented Narrative: Some critics felt that the fragmented narrative style of the novel, with each chapter focusing on a different character, made it difficult to fully engage with any one character or storyline.
Stereotypical Characters: Some critics felt that the characters in the novel were overly stereotypical and lacked nuance, particularly in their depictions of African-American women.
Depressing Tone: Some readers found the overall tone of the novel to be depressing and bleak, with little hope or redemption for the characters.
Lack of Historical Context: Some critics felt that the novel lacked historical context and did not provide enough background information on the broader social and political forces shaping the lives of the characters.
Unrealistic Plot Points: Some readers felt that certain plot points in the novel, such as Bell’s sudden rise to success in the business world, were unrealistic and strained credibility.
It’s worth noting that these criticisms were not universally shared, and many readers and critics found the novel to be a powerful and moving exploration of family, identity, and the African-American experience.
CHARACTERS
Hattie Shepherd – The matriarch of the Shepherd family and the mother of 11 children.
August Shepherd – Hattie’s first-born son, who is a preacher.
Jubilee Shepherd – Hattie’s first daughter, who is affected by polio.
Floyd Shepherd – Hattie’s second son, who is a soldier in World War II.
Six – Hattie’s third son, who is a musician.
Cassie – Hattie’s fourth child and second daughter.
Sala – Hattie’s fifth child and third daughter.
Franklin – Hattie’s sixth child and fourth son.
Bell – Hattie’s seventh child and fifth daughter.
Ella – Hattie’s eighth child and sixth daughter.
Alice – Hattie’s ninth child and seventh daughter.
Billups – Hattie’s tenth child and fifth son.
Ruthie – Hattie’s eleventh child and youngest daughter.
Lawrence – August’s son, who is also a preacher.
Cassie’s husband – Cassie’s husband, who is a drug addict.
Lawrence’s wife – Lawrence’s wife, who is a schoolteacher.
Marcus – A friend of Six who becomes romantically involved with Bell.
Philadelphia – A friend of Sala who helps her during a difficult time.
THEMES
Family and Legacy – The novel explores the complex relationships between family members and the lasting impact that family dynamics can have on individuals and their descendants.
Race and Identity – The book examines the experiences of African-Americans in the United States, including the challenges of navigating racism, discrimination, and prejudice.
Survival and Resilience – The novel explores the ways in which individuals cope with hardship, trauma, and loss, and how they find the strength to persevere in the face of adversity.
Love and Relationships – The book delves into the complexities of romantic relationships, as well as the bonds of friendship and community that sustain individuals in difficult times.
History and Culture – The novel is set against the backdrop of major historical events, including the Great Migration and World War II, and explores the impact of these events on the characters and their communities.
Faith and Spirituality – The book explores the role of religion and spirituality in the lives of the characters, including the tensions between traditional religious beliefs and modern secular values.
SUMMARIES
“Hattie”: The first chapter introduces Hattie, a young mother who is struggling to care for her twin babies, Philadelphia and Jubilee, in the harsh winter of 1925. She is determined to provide for her family despite poverty, discrimination, and the devastating loss of one of her children.
“Philadelphia”: This chapter focuses on Philadelphia, Hattie’s surviving twin daughter. As a young girl, she struggles with feelings of isolation and abandonment, and is haunted by the memory of her deceased twin. She later becomes a successful jazz singer but continues to feel disconnected from her family and her own identity.
“Six”: This chapter focuses on Six, Hattie’s third son and a talented musician. He grapples with his own identity and sexuality while trying to make a name for himself in the music industry. He is also deeply affected by the loss of his brother during World War II.
“Robert”: This chapter focuses on Robert, Hattie’s grandson who is born with a heart defect. His mother, Bell, is determined to give him a normal life despite his illness, and she struggles to balance his medical needs with her own desires and ambitions.
“Floyd and Franklin”: This chapter focuses on Floyd and Franklin, two of Hattie’s sons who are affected by the trauma of war. Floyd struggles with PTSD and addiction, while Franklin grapples with his own identity and sexuality.
“Ruthie”: This chapter focuses on Ruthie, Hattie’s youngest daughter who is born after the death of her twin sister. She grows up feeling overshadowed by her siblings and struggles to find her own place in the world.
“Bell”: This chapter focuses on Bell, Hattie’s fifth daughter who becomes a successful businesswoman but is haunted by her past and her complicated relationships with her family members.
“Cassie”: This chapter focuses on Cassie, Hattie’s fourth child and second daughter. She struggles with addiction and abusive relationships, but finds solace and connection in her relationships with other women.
“Sala”: This chapter focuses on Sala, Hattie’s third daughter who grapples with the challenges of motherhood and the loss of her own identity. She also confronts the realities of racism and discrimination as she tries to create a better life for her family.
“Jubilee”: The final chapter returns to Hattie’s twin daughters, Philadelphia and Jubilee, as they come together in old age. Jubilee reflects on the loss of her sister and the many struggles and sacrifices of her family, while Philadelphia finally finds a sense of connection and belonging with her sister and her own identity.