Question

In the interview, Debbie Rigaud’s says that one reason she wrote “Voilà!” was to acknowledge the “quietly suffering people” she saw as a child. Who is treated unfairly in “Voilà!” and in what way? Use text evidence to support your answer

Answer 1

Answer:

Aside from Simone, Ma Tante as well as the other elderly people in the doctor's office and elderly people in general are treated unfairly in the story.

Explanation:

Debbie Rigaud's short story "Voilà!" revolves primarily around Simone and her great-aunt's relationship. But the story also delves into the issue of how the elderly are treated differently by the younger generations as well as how poorer people are treated. The author wants to portray that discrimination and bring it to the attention of the readers.

In the story, the great aunt "Ma Tante" is unfairly treated, as are the other elderly people in the run-down "ghetto doctor's office". Another elderly that's treated unfairly is "Mr. Charles Pemberton" who Waverly insists on taking him on a wheelchair even though he can walk properly.

Aside from the elderly, the protagonist of the story Simone Thibodeaux also feels embarrassed for her background, for being different from her classmates. She admits "My embarrassment at being seen in the ghetto doctor’s office outweighs my guilt." Moreover, she is a Haitian, thereby resulting in different treatment from others, including the twin-nurse sisters and Waverly, who also made the suggestion that Simone helps the "CARE-A-VAN" volunteers by translating for them.