Essay Questions

How does Sapphire depict Precious's mother and father?

Precious's mother and father are depicted as being terrible parents who frequently expose Precious to trauma and abuse. Throughout her childhood, Precious was sexually abused by her father and was also physically and emotionally abused by her mother. Her mother is depicted as being cruel and lazy, and tries to lead Precious down a similar path.

What is the significance of the title?

Precious explains that when she was giving birth, she was told to "push" by the paramedics. After this, she adopts this as an attitude towards life, and when things get tough she decides to persevere and keep pushing. As such, the title is named after a significant moment in Precious's life, when she realizes that she has the strength to get through anything life throws at her.

How does Ms. Rain help Precious?

Ms. Rain has a huge impact on Precious's life and helps her to get an education and believe in herself. When Ms. Rain meets Precious she realizes that she is unable to read or write, and decides to help her to learn. Significantly, Ms. Rain encourages Precious to keep a journal and write poetry, which leads to a sense of triumph and achievement for Precious.