The Yellow House
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Sarah M. Broom
Synopsis
The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom is a powerful memoir that chronicles the life of Broom and her family in New Orleans East, centered around their small yellow house. The story spans a hundred years of Broom’s family history, her mother’s life, and the struggles and resilience of a Black working-class family. Through the house, which was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, Broom explores themes of identity, belonging, poverty, and systemic neglect, both from the government and within the community. The memoir is a personal and social reflection on the meaning of "home" and the often-overlooked histories of marginalized communities.
Lessons and Themes
Comparative Literature
1. Have students identify and analyze literary techniques Broom uses in a chosen passage. Then, let students write a memoir-style vignette using similar techniques, focusing on a significant event or place in their own lives.
2. How does the author’s use of descriptive language and narrative style bring her experiences to life?
Society
1. How does Broom depict the neglect of New Orleans East by local and federal governments? What are the long-term effects of this neglect?
2. How does systemic injustice impact Broom’s family and their pursuit of stability?
3. What does Broom’s story reveal about the government’s response to natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina?
Assignment Ideas
Reflection:
Have students write a personal reflection on a place that holds significant meaning in their own lives, analyzing how it shapes their identity. They can then compare this with Broom’s relationship to the yellow house.
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Personal Narrative:
Analyze a passage where Broom merges her personal narrative with political critique. Discuss how memoirs can serve as powerful tools for social commentary and have students practice writing a short personal story that addresses a broader issue.