Analysis of Recitatif By Toni Morrison This story is Twylas narrative of her long term relationship with Roberta another eight year old who shares her failing grades and not real orphan status at St Bonaventures the shelter where they live for a few months The two girls become fast friends despite the discomfort due to their situation their problematic mothers Robertas is hyper religious and unfriendly Twylas is pretty but childlike an embarrassment to Twyla because of her provocative clothing