Tone and content of Night Women

The tone of Night Women is very paradoxical. It reads with distinct imagery of the narrator’s actions and descriptions of hibiscus while simultaneously discussing her “work” at night. She chooses against telling her son the details and nature of such a job, something I can understand. This style of speech gives off an almost mystical sense of setting, making the night seem dreamlike in contrast with the briefly mentioned day, which reads with less embellishment. Interestingly, she mentions how she’s resigned herself to tell her son that it was only dreams, but she would later explain to him that angels brought his father back, if only for a night. This adds to the dreamlike quality of the story, and shows a motherly determination to hide the truth for his sake. Regardless of its content, Night Women is truly about a mother choosing to provide for and protect her son through busy nights and well-meaning fabrications.