Breath, Eyes, Memory

A few years later, Sophie has returned to Haiti with her young daughter, Brigitte. The driver she hires questions her about her Creole, and she informs him that she was born here in La Nouvelle Dame Marie. He says that most people who return to Haiti pretend they speak no Creole, to which Sophie replies that they may have just forgotten because “some people need to forget” but she “need[s] to remember” (95).

While waiting for Tante Atie, Sophie speaks with Louise, who tells her that Atie has been learning her letters and can write Sophie’s name. Louise questions her about the US, expressing her own desire to go there even if she must go by boat—a dangerous journey during which many migrants die.

Sophie tells Atie that she has tried to contact Martine, but her letters are ignored and she hangs up the phone when she calls. Martine has not yet met Brigitte, which Atie notes is sad given that they both have no one else in the United States and “Martine’s head is not in the best condition” (103).

Sophie brings her daughter to her grandmother, informing her that Brigitte’s middle name,