Claire Woodley
asked:
What is Mia Warren's ethnicity/racial identity? Was that ever revealed or was it ambiguous?
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Little Fires Everywhere,
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mary wolf
I found the answer in this quote from Celeste Ng: "I'm really excited to see Reese as Elena Richardson and Kerry as Mia Warren — they're both such excellent actors and perfectly suited for their roles. I'm especially looking forward to seeing Kerry bring Mia to life as a black woman; I'd wanted to do that in the novel, but didn't feel I was the right person to do that. Kerry is, though."
Link:
https://asiasociety.org/blog/asia/aut...
Link:
https://asiasociety.org/blog/asia/aut...
Aleksandra Arnold
She is Caucasian. Here is the answer from the author Celeste Ng:
"I've grown up in white communities my whole life, and like most people of color in the United States, I have a pretty good understanding of what it's like to be white in America — so I feel comfortable writing characters who are white. On the other hand, I don't claim to know what it's like to be black in America. I can imagine some aspects of it, but I don't feel I know that experience well enough to write about it. That's part of why I didn't write Mia as a black woman, as I mentioned above; I wasn't sure that was a story I personally could tell."
"I've grown up in white communities my whole life, and like most people of color in the United States, I have a pretty good understanding of what it's like to be white in America — so I feel comfortable writing characters who are white. On the other hand, I don't claim to know what it's like to be black in America. I can imagine some aspects of it, but I don't feel I know that experience well enough to write about it. That's part of why I didn't write Mia as a black woman, as I mentioned above; I wasn't sure that was a story I personally could tell."
Christie
i think she is black becaues in chapter 6 when Pearl , Lexie and Serena dress up as charlies angel Lexie say " perfect" "Blond, brunette and black" and the she aimed her fingers at Pearl's nose
Karen M
It never even occurred to me. It seemed obvious the tension between Mia and Elena was due to the conflict between living a free, artistic life and a life spent conforming. The racial tension added in the series by casting Kerry Washington is an exciting added element!
Ms Lee
I reread the book to find an answer and it definitely is never mentioned.
Lynn Day
Good question! Not answered in the book, however several times throughout, Pearl’s hair was describes as dark, curly, frizzy... like her mother’s. I am wondering the same. In the TV mini-series in the making and being produced by Reese Witherspoon & Kerry Washington, the role if Mia will be portrayed by Kerry Washington.
Do you think Mia & Pearl’s ethnicity/race make a difference in the telling of their story? Knowing differently, would that change your perspective about their role in this story?
Do you think Mia & Pearl’s ethnicity/race make a difference in the telling of their story? Knowing differently, would that change your perspective about their role in this story?
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