In the story The Abortion , the relationship between Imani and Clarence is faced with many obstacles, two of which are abortions. The actual abortions are only two of the many obstacles that Imani and Clarence face. The story is centered around the fact that Imani is pregnant again and has to decide to keep the baby or to fly to New York to abort it. Imani has a lot of resentment for Clarence. She blames him for making her pregnant and for being tied down to a family. Imani says that childbirth is something to do only once, like graduating high school. Two major themes in this story are selfishness and anger. Both Imani and Clarence were selfish. When Imani came back from her abortion Clarence cuddled to her knees like he needed her support and affection and not even thinking that she needed his after this horrible event. Imani shows selfishness when she demands Clarence to get a vasectomy and then refuses to touch him at all. Imani feels a lot of anger toward Clarence and feels trapped in the marriage. Imani says that she never intended to get married, but to be able to send men home in the morning. Another theme is resentment and throughout the story Imani shows this resentment toward Clarence. Resentment not only for making her pregnant, but for taking her youth away.

Critical Analysis

In the story The Abortion, Imani becomes more powerful in the relationship as the story progresses. In the beginning Imani is crying and trying to figure out if she wants to keep the baby or not. Imani always loses when she and Clarence argue, because when her temper flares Clarence becomes the calm and mature one and Imani swallows her tears and hates herself. Imani believes Clarence to be the best human being she has ever met. As Imani goes though all the emotions involved in an abortion she begins to show resentment toward Clarence and gets annoyed with everything he does and says. As the story progresses Imani becomes more and more controlling in the relationship and doesn't communicate with Clarence about how she feels because he could not possibly understand the feelings involved in an abortion or her feelings about the relationship. Imani eventually orders Clarence to get a vasectomy and then refuses to touch him. At the end of the story Imani and Clarence argue over the misfortunes in their marriage and Clarence apologizes for neglecting Imani, as she packs her bags. Southern Literature and Spunk