Butterfly on F. Street Thesis

Edward P Jones’, “A Butterfly on F Street” uses geographical barriers to highlight cultural, specifically financial differences between families of color. Following the death of Mildred’s, the protagonist, ex-husband, she runs into his mistress in the heart of Washington D.C. The story follows their awkward interaction while mentioning the key differences in both of their lives; specifically where they lived. Before Mildred’s husband left her for the mistress, the couple lived with their son in a wealthy northeast sector in Washington D.C. Following the affair, Mildred’s ex husband moved to a significantly poorer part of D.C known as Anacostia. Jones’ text suggests the idea that although families of color share the same physical characteristics, it is important to recognize that not all people of color have the same levels of wealth and power within the community.