SPANNING TWO WORLDS

Gloria Naylor's Mama Day takes place in two distinct environments, each characterized by the beliefs and ideologies of the people who inhabit the seemingly different worlds. The island of Willow Springs, comprised solely by the descendants of slaves, is set apart from the rest of the United States and is neither part of South Carolina nor Georgia. As such, its inhabitants are exempt from the laws of either state and are free to govern themselves as they see fit. Only a worn-out bridge built in 1920 connects the inhabitants to the mainland, but the people of Willow Springs are entirely self-sufficient. They believe in the ways of their African ancestors and respect the heritage of Sapphira Wade, the original "Mother" who convinced her master to deed the island to his slaves. They live in the present yet believe in the power of supernatural forces and herbal or root medicine. Mama Day, whose imposing presence in Willow Springs is felt by all of the inhabitants, best understands that her world is founded upon the power of belief. Belief in that which may seem to defy all rational or logical sense. 

In New York, however, Cocoa finds herself amongst a group of people who seem distant and interested in only themselves. Stemming from many different backgrounds, the people of New York are always in a rush and "moving, moving, moving ---and to where?" (19). No one knows for sure. Just like the subways, racism in New York moved underground, and Cocoa experiences it as she desperately searches for a job. After having lived in New York for seven years, Cocoa still has not found a suitable mate. Only when she meets George does she start believing again in the goodness and sincerity possessed by some. George is the typical "urban" male. Having grown up in a Boys shelter, he believes that only the present has potential and in the importance of investing in oneself alone. He is a rational man, one who does not believe in the future or any superstitions, but he is also a loving man whose motives towards Cocoa stem only from his desire to spend the rest of his life with her. 

While urban life places great value on being self-reliant, the people of Willow Springs depend upon Mama Day and other forces to help them in their time of need. When Bernice falls sick after taking fertility pills, it is Mama Day who correctly diagnoses her problem and nurses her back to health. Although conventional medicine prescribed by Dr. Smithfield is used in severe cases, Mama Day's herbal mixtures are quite effective for most of the problems her "patients" encounter. Much of the effectiveness of her herbal remedies stem from her strong belief in their worth and from the willingness of her patients to believe in her and all that she represents. For example, Bernice is adamant in her belief that she will become pregnant if she visits the "other place" with Mama Day. Before taking her to the other place, however, Mama Day buys Bernice some time by giving her "magic" seeds and advising her to engage in daily rigorous chores. When Abigail questions Mama Day's use of pumpkin seeds, Mama Day replies: 

The mind is a funny thing, Abigail -- and a powerful thing at that. Bernice is gonna believe they are what I tell her they are -- magic seeds. And the only magic is that what she believes they are, they're gonna become (96).

The seeds provide Bernice comfort and strength and prevent her from going mad. When she finally visits the other place, she submits herself completely to the will of Mama Day by believing in the egg, the chicken, and the woman. Mama Day's efforts and Bernice's belief eventually pay off with Bernice becoming pregnant and giving birth to Little Caesar.

Unfortunately, as Dr. Smithfield remarks, outsiders could not be expected to believe in that which Mama Day has the power to accomplish (84). George, the ultimate rational, urban man, respects Mama Day but thinks she is a "crazy old woman" (296). When Cocoa suddenly falls ill, George insists on getting a conventional doctor but his demands fall on deaf ears. He knows that both Abigail and Mama Day will take care of Cocoa as best they can but he is unwilling to believe in Mama Day's level of skill and expertise in treating such serious cases. Even after seeing Bernice carry her dead child into the woods, George insists that "there was some rational explanation for what I had seen" (260). His inability to accept the fact that some actions are beyond rationale drives him insane. He imagines himself swimming across the Sound to get help for Cocoa and even rebuilds a rowboat in hopes of crossing the Sound. He cannot believe that Ruby is the source of Cocoa's illness, and admits to Dr. Buzzard that he only believes in himself (292). When he finally visits the other place, he is appalled by Mama Day's "mumbo jumbo" but after seeing Cocoa's condition worsen, he eventually submits to her plan. His inability, however, to understand that a pair of empty hands are all that Mama Day needs costs him his life. 

George's inability to believe in that which he could not understand leads to his demise. Unfortunately, as Naylor reminds us, "Rational America" insists that everything should have a rational basis. As products of this rational society, we never accept things at face value because we constantly dig deeper in hopes of completely understanding that which may be eluding us. Sometimes, however, it is best to cast aside reason and accept things for what they are and what they represent. 

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