If Beale Street Could Talk

Part 1, Pages 3-75

Reading Check

1. As Clementine and Alonzo, respectively (Part 1, Pages 3-75)

2. Because she has “a lot on [her] mind” (Part 1, Pages 3-75)

3. “Trouble means you’re alone.” (Part 1, Pages 3-75)

4. At the bus station in Albany (Part 1, Pages 3-75)

5. “[T]he white man” (Part 1, Pages 3-75)

6. The waiters at the little Spanish restaurant (Part 1, Pages 3-75)

Short Answer

1. Tish announces her pregnancy to Fonny while he is in jail. He is initially in shock, but then delighted with the news. After returning home from jail, she then announces her pregnancy to Sharon, who, Tish believes, “already knew, had known all along, had only been waiting for me to tell her.” Her mother is understanding and assures her that she is not a “bad girl.” (Part 1, Pages 3-75)

2. Tish believes that New York City is “the ugliest and dirtiest city in the world.” She believes that all of her good memories with the city were because of her dad, not because of the city itself. (

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