Sociology

SYNOPSIS
Push written by the poet Sapphire in 1996 is a classic literature of low-class black culture. Claireece P. Jones, or Precious to those close to her, is the narrator of the story. She has experienced the worst experience any person wouldnt like to experience. She is pregnant with her second child from her father, she is abused verbally and physically by her mother, and she has reached ninth grade without learning how to read or write. Adding to that, after her father dies, she discovers that she contracted her fathers sickness which is AIDS. But an alternative school (Each One Teach One) teaches her to push herself in reaching for a better life for herself and for her children.

A Precious Problem
There are several offenders that contributed in Precious misery. First of all, her mother who not only physically abuse her but verbally abuses her at the same time. She is not concerned with Precious education. Her mothers forced ignorance of her boyfriends sexual advances to Precious makes her offence far more inhuman than the fathers sexual acts. 

Another offender is Precious father who gave her two children out of incest. Some of the minor offenders are the people in her community who keeps insulting Precious because of her illiteracy and size.

Injustices
In the time that the novel was situated, Precious was still living in a community wherein black people have accepted their deplorable state in a way that they dont see a chance at betterment. This leaves Precious even more pitiful of her state than hopeful. She is deprived of real love and companionship and the people at her school are not genuinely concerned of her welfare. She has nowhere to go and no one to really depend on. She is lost in her own circle of frustrations.

Women sex offenders
Sex offence is usually connected with men. Although at some time, many women are engaging to sex offence or in easier terms, women rapes too. It is hard to believe though that women are becoming sex abusers too being that they are usually seen as nurturing and caring. And that is the reason why the existence of female sex offenders hasnt really been noticed by most people. But with the societys situation, it is not very far to assume that the statistics of female sex offenders are going up in an alarming rate. It is already bad that there are men sex offenders. Now one cant be sure in staying at home since both men and women might be dangerous sexually. Men are not the only dangerous specie nowadays, women are also.

Precious predicament
Precious situation was more than anybody could ever want to experience. In the real world, it may be inconceivable that a girl must experience Precious predicament at such a young age. At 12 years old, she is already pregnant with her first child (out of incest). She gave birth to her first child on the kitchen floor of their house, and the child comes out with a Down syndrome. She does not know neither to read nor write. And yet, with this pressing situation in her life, why was it difficult to help Precious Because she wasnt helping herself in believing that there is still hope.

People are always encouraged when they are surrounded by people who are encouraged also. Most often than not, people gets their inspiration from another person. But if the person itself does not help himselfherself, it would be too difficult to help himher. It would be like teaching to a wall.

Other than this, there are factors which contribute to Precious injustice her race contributes to her low self-esteem which adds to the difficulty of her situation. Her lack of education doesnt help in her knowing what to do or to whom to go to. Her lack of money indicates that she is not secure in her needs. Her security and health is at stake because of her mother and fathers lack of concern.

These combining factors placed Precious unprotected of her predicament and in getting justice of her situation. Being out of connections and not knowing how to make needed connections, she faced her situation alone without any idea how to face it. She was scared of her father, which is the reason why she cant refuse his sexual advances she is angry with her mother for not rescuing her from her situation, she is sad for not knowing what to do, and she is hopeless that shell ever get out of her circumstances. Her vulgarity in language prevented people from trusting her sincerity.

But a good way of ending the novel is when Precious learned how true her name is to her life. And although she is positive of the AIDS Virus, she will keep going not just for herself but for her two children.