I brought up this discussion in class however I want to continue it.
What is the exact nature of Leonie's relationship to Misty? Are they friends or is it a relationship of convenience like the one Leonie has with Michael, where they're only together because they just so happen to satisfy each others needs?
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On one hand I feel like Leonie and Misty are genuinely friends. They work together at a bar and that is how they met and became friends. Also, they have similar relationships. Both Misty and Leonie's boyfriends are in Parchment, so they have that in common. Also, Misty is a white woman dating a black man, whereas Leonie is a black woman dating a white man. So, they have a mixed relationship in common. This is something they often talk about and I feel is something that most likely sparked their friendship.
But on other hand, I feel like Leonie might be using Misty for drugs and really just for someone to talk to. On their road trip in the novel, Leonie complains all the time about Misty, making us believe she doesn't really like her at all. So, Leonie might just be keeping their friendship alive so she can keep continuing to use drugs (to see Given). I also believe that Leonie wants to continue to be friends with Misty just to have a friend and to have someone to talk to. Leonie has Pop and Mam to go to but she never takes advantage of that. She always runs to either Misty or Michael, which I believe are two very unhealthy relationships for Leonie.
I think is it mostly out of convenience. Misty and Leonie are only really friends because they do drugs and they're both in biracial relationships. Leonie is also jealous of Misty because she's white. I agree with Malorie when she says they're keeping their friendship alive so she can keep continuing to use drugs. Leonie states that Misty is her only friend, however she doesn't really like her and they only thing she can offer is drugs.
I wouldn’t say their relationship is necessarily out of convenience, but if they didn’t do drugs would they still be friends? I don’t think so. Drugs and biracial relationships are something they have in common and it helps them understand each other.
I think Misty and Leonie unfortunately both have lives that just aren't going anywhere. They likely come from poor economic backgrounds and it's unlikely that either received a sufficient education. Considering they both work full time at a bar, and have to visit their significant others at Parchman, we can assume that like Leonie, Mistys family didn't have much to offer her and she instead found fulfillment in a boyfriend (who happens to be black.) These interracial relationships, and obviously their common use of drugs, are factors that pull them together, but I think it’s ultimately their similar outlooks on life that keeps the friendship thriving. It doesn’t always matter if you get along well, sometimes just understanding a person and the situation life has thrown them into can be enough.
I think Misty and Leonie's relationship is based essentially on convenience. I think Leonie has a stronger pull from her morals in taking care of her kids, and Misty typically tempts her to choose herself over her kids. I think if Leonie wasn't addicted to cocaine, she probably wouldn't be friends with Misty, since she uses it so often. It seems like Leonie doesn't have many options for friends in her situation, and doesn't even typically get along with Misty. Misty doesn't seem to understand Leonie very well either, like when Leonie tried explaining her visions of Given.
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