family lifestyle as something to look forward to after success in education. On the other hand the author used the picnic at Big Mama's house as hope and inspiration to get to where Bettie Jean's parents were. From Bettie Jean's perspective the lunch at Big Mama's house was symbolic of the importance of family. Bettie Jean, who already knew the good life, was more appreciative of the lunch at Big Mama house after she heard the story behind it. The lunch at Big Mama's house in addition is symbolic of making the best of what you have and over coming adversity. It tries to get the message to children that the focus of life shouldn't be material things, but instead family, friends, hope and imagination. The American Dream of a two story, two garage house in the suburbs should be instead something to reward your family with after hard work. Big Mama's friend Bettie Jean represents the decency of man. She wasn
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