"The Scarf" is an American short story written by Joyce Carol Oates that appeared in Faithless, 2003.
             In the followings I will try to focus on the analyses of the boundless love between mother and daughter theme; the relationship between whites and blacks; the sacrifice for the ones you love; the scarf, which is a symbol of infinitely love and the significance of the word "lost".
             The love between mother and daughter is surely an eternal and boundless love. To show this to her mother, the eleven years old girl, "saved jealously, in secret, for many months in a white sock" eight dollars and sixty-five cents for a birthday present. This was all her saving and she will spend them till the last penny for the present that says, " I love you, you are life to me."
             After my opinion, the girl did not think at the present as a material thing. She din not want to spend all the money just to buy a luxurious present, "a mere store-bought". She wanted something that would express her feelings to her mother, something that would signify the unbounded love she had for her mommy. This love makes the daughter give all she has just to see her mother happy. " I could see the surprised pleasure in my mother's eyes as she unwrapped the box, and this was to be my reward."
             Entering one of the most expensive ladies shops, the girl aroused suspicious. It was one of those shops, where even her mother would not enter. Thought, a poor colored girl could not do anything else but steal from such an expensive shop. She was seen with other eyes now. "This woman didn't trust me". The all times favourite student, such a diligent and good girl was now looked as a misdemeanant. Even thought she was just eleven, she knew what a big difference the colour of her skin made. "She expects me to steal." This shows how signs of superstitious behaviour can still be found
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