The past week, Mother had denied her a pass to the market for some minor, forgettable reason, and she'd taken it hard. Her market excursions were the acme of her days, and trying to commiserate, I'd said, I'm sorry, Handful, I know how you must feel. It seemed to me I did know what it felt to have one's liberty curtailed, but she blazed up at me. So we just the same, me and you? That's why you the one to shit in the pot and I'm the one to empty it?
In the story, the character known as Handful experiences a deep sense of disappointment when her mother denies her a pass to the market for a trivial reason. For Handful, these trips to the market represent the highlight of her life; they symbolize freedom and a break from her daily struggles. When another character expresses sympathy, they mistakenly believe they can relate to Handful's plight, but she reacts with anger, highlighting the stark contrast in their circumstances.
This interaction reveals the systemic inequalities they face, as Handful's statement underscores the reality of their different social standings. She points out that while she is confined to a demeaning role, the other character enjoys a certain liberty. This exchange amplifies the deeper themes of oppression, freedom, and the complexities of their friendship within the context of their lives, set against the backdrop of historical injustices.
