Her name was probably spelled Tawanda. The name is almost common among Black Americans.
No, this Towanda was Idgie Threadgoode's invention in Fried Green Tomatoes. She inspired Evelyn Couch to invoke Towanda! then ram the car (6 times) of those girls who claimed to be younger and faster and respond with "I'm older and have more insurance."
I always LOVED that Towanda. Very inspirational. Fannie Flagg rules! Oh, was I in love with Idgie. But did she actually invent Towanda? Maybe I have to re-read the book or re-see the movie. I always thought Towanda was the creation of Evelyn. Inspired by Jessica Tandy's character in the movie, of course, but still, I thought it was mostly Evelyn.
And as far as Towanda or Tawanda, I only heard the name yelled from the Large Woman behind the counter doing the cooking. I assumed, in my white-boy mind, to spell it Towanda. I'll have to call my black friends about your spelling; there are none of that cast here in whitebread eastern Connecticut. I miss my diverse friends in L'Rock. But they will know the proper spelling, and if you are right, I'll adjust my story "Verdery."
But still, the category was Gods and Myths. Towanda in Fried Green Tomatoes might be a demi-goddess, but not necessarily a God. And DEFINITELY not a myth.
Even if fictional. I await your fevered response, sirrah!
Certainly not the Towanda I remember from the short story "Verdery." THAT Towanda had a hard enough time getting up from her bench-draping duties.
ReplyDeleteHer name was probably spelled Tawanda. The name is almost common among Black Americans.
ReplyDeleteNo, this Towanda was Idgie Threadgoode's invention in Fried Green Tomatoes. She inspired Evelyn Couch to invoke Towanda! then ram the car (6 times) of those girls who claimed to be younger and faster and respond with "I'm older and have more insurance."
I always LOVED that Towanda. Very inspirational. Fannie Flagg rules!
ReplyDeleteOh, was I in love with Idgie. But did she actually invent Towanda? Maybe I have to re-read the book or re-see the movie. I always thought Towanda was the creation of Evelyn. Inspired by Jessica Tandy's character in the movie, of course, but still, I thought it was mostly Evelyn.
And as far as Towanda or Tawanda, I only heard the name yelled from the Large Woman behind the counter doing the cooking. I assumed, in my white-boy mind, to spell it Towanda. I'll have to call my black friends about your spelling; there are none of that cast here in whitebread eastern Connecticut. I miss my diverse friends in L'Rock. But they will know the proper spelling, and if you are right, I'll adjust my story "Verdery."
But still, the category was Gods and Myths. Towanda in Fried Green Tomatoes might be a demi-goddess, but not necessarily a God. And DEFINITELY not a myth.
Even if fictional.
I await your fevered response, sirrah!
And cower in expectation....
She was the invention of Idgie, so was her personal myth. I don't recall if Towanda was her name, though, or just her battle cry.
ReplyDelete