Study Guide for Z.Z. Packer's Drinking Coffee Elsewhere

Z.Z. Packer's Drinking Coffee Elsewhere is a collection of nine short stories that explore the lives of Black Americans in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The stories are set in a variety of locations, from the urban North to the rural South, and they feature characters of all ages and backgrounds.

Study Guide for ZZ Packer's Drinking Coffee Elsewhere

by Course Hero

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	815 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	279 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	44 pages
Item Weight	:	2.39 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.11 x 9 inches

FREE

Packer's writing is lyrical and evocative, and she has a gift for capturing the complexities of human experience. Her stories are often funny, but they also deal with serious issues such as race, class, and gender.

This study guide will provide you with an overview of the stories in Drinking Coffee Elsewhere, as well as some questions to help you think more deeply about the book's themes and characters.

Themes

* Race and identity: Packer's stories explore the ways in which race shapes the lives of Black Americans. Her characters often struggle with issues of identity and self-acceptance, and they must navigate a world that is often hostile to them. * Class and poverty: Packer's stories also address the issue of class and poverty. Her characters often come from poor or working-class backgrounds, and they must struggle to make ends meet. Packer's writing captures the ways in which poverty can limit opportunities and shape people's lives. * Gender and sexuality: Packer's stories also explore issues of gender and sexuality. Her characters often challenge traditional gender roles, and they must navigate a world that is often homophobic and transphobic. Packer's writing captures the ways in which gender and sexuality can shape people's experiences.

Characters

* Naeemah: The protagonist of the title story, Naeemah is a young Black woman who is trying to find her place in the world. She is intelligent and ambitious, but she also faces many challenges due to her race and gender. * Troy: Naeemah's love interest, Troy is a young Black man who is also trying to find his place in the world. He is a talented musician, but he is also struggling with addiction. * Eleanor: The protagonist of the story "The Brownies," Eleanor is a young Black woman who is struggling to come to terms with her identity. She is light-skinned, and she often feels like she does not belong in either the Black or white world. * Big Joyce: The protagonist of the story "Gethsemane," Big Joyce is a large Black woman who is struggling with obesity and diabetes. She is a kind and loving person, but she is also lonely and isolated.

Symbols

* Coffee: Coffee is a recurring symbol in Packer's stories. It is a drink that is often associated with relaxation and conversation, but it can also be a symbol of bitterness and addiction. * Water: Water is another recurring symbol in Packer's stories. It is a life-giving force, but it can also be a source of danger and destruction. * The South: The South is a setting for many of Packer's stories. It is a place that is steeped in history and culture, but it is also a place that is often associated with racism and poverty.

Questions for Discussion

1. How does race shape the lives of the characters in Drinking Coffee Elsewhere? 2. How does class and poverty affect the characters in Drinking Coffee Elsewhere? 3. How do the characters in Drinking Coffee Elsewhere challenge traditional gender roles? 4. What are the different symbols used in Drinking Coffee Elsewhere, and how do they contribute to the meaning of the stories? 5. What are the major themes of Drinking Coffee Elsewhere?

Drinking Coffee Elsewhere is a powerful and moving collection of stories that explores the lives of Black Americans in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Packer's writing is lyrical and evocative, and she has a gift for capturing the complexities of human experience. This study guide has provided you with an overview of the stories in Drinking Coffee Elsewhere, as well as some questions to help you think more deeply about the book's themes and characters. I hope that you will enjoy reading and discussing this book as much as I did.

Study Guide for ZZ Packer's Drinking Coffee Elsewhere

by Course Hero

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	815 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	279 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	44 pages
Item Weight	:	2.39 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.11 x 9 inches

FREE