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Written by Polly Barbour
Social Divides in Liberia
Much is made of the differences between the Liberians - the wealthier members of the nation's elite - and the Country folk - the poor. The coup is born from envy and disenchantment; General Doe, who goes on to become president of Liberia after overthrowing the elected government, wants to kill all the rich people and in doing so give control of the country to the Country folk, but of course, it doesn't work out this way, because once he has control of the government Doe becomes the most corrupt president Liberia has ever seen and the only Country person who become richer is him.
The author herself is a member of the elite, and her family lives a basically charmed existence, other than the childhood trauma of her parents' divorce. They are wealthy, respected and successful and they have connections in the government because they can trace their family tree all the way back to the beginning of Liberia itelf. The Countryfolk come from a more tribal ancestry. There are almost fifty tribes in Liberia, each with their own traditions and rivalries and ways of doing things. They are not traditionally the nation's ruling class although they each have their own "elders" and ruling traditions. There is a divide between these tribal peoples and the ruling class, and dissent has been bubbling for many years; Helene and Eunice play a game called "When The War Comes" and are clearly conscious of growing political problems as they are growing up.
Women's Empowerment
Helene has always felt empowered as a woman, not because of special pep talks from her mother but because she sees examples of strong, matriarchal women around her everyday in Liberian society. Monrovia has a matriarchal society and this consequently empowers girls and young women, so much so that when Helene moves to Knoxville, Tennessee, she is surprised that this empowerment is not shared by the new young women that she meets there.
Being Different
Although her life was elite, Helene has always been conscious of being different. As a little girl she was different because she lived in a twenty two room mansion and could trace her family back to the beginning of the nation's birth. As a recent newcomer to Knoxville, she feels different because she does not understand the way in which things are done in her new country. Her views seem different to the views of the other girls there, and she looks different too. Even when she has graduated college and gone out into the world as a journalist she is still different in that there are many more men in the field than women. She learns how to utilize these differences and make them into tools for success.
Forgiveness
The author does not realize that she has felt guilty for most of her adult life for abandoning her foster sister Eunice, and in some ways, abandoning her country, but it is not until she has this epiphany that she realizes she needs forgiveness from Eunice before she can forgive herself. This forgiveness is given and the two are able to re-connect and build a new future together where Helene's past and present lives are able to intersect.
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The House at Sugar Beach Questions and Answers
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The House at Sugar Beach study guide contains a biography of Helene Cooper, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
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Social Divides in Liberia
Much is made of the differences between the Liberians - the wealthier members of the nation's elite - and the Country folk - the poor. The coup is born from envy and disenchantment; General Doe, who goes on to become president of Liberia after overthrowing the elected government, wants to kill all the rich people and in doing so give control of the country to the Country folk, but of course, it doesn't work out this way, because once he has control of the government Doe becomes the most corrupt president Liberia has ever seen and the only Country person who become richer is him.
The author herself is a member of the elite, and her family lives a basically charmed existence, other than the childhood trauma of her parents' divorce. They are wealthy, respected and successful and they have connections in the government because they can trace their family tree all the way back to the beginning of Liberia itelf. The Countryfolk come from a more tribal ancestry. There are almost fifty tribes in Liberia, each with their own traditions and rivalries and ways of doing things. They are not traditionally the nation's ruling class although they each have their own "elders" and ruling traditions. There is a divide between these tribal peoples and the ruling class, and dissent has been bubbling for many years; Helene and Eunice play a game called "When The War Comes" and are clearly conscious of growing political problems as they are growing up.