My Louisiana Sky

Because this is a bildungsroman, a coming-of-age story, the idea of growing up is vital in My Louisiana Sky. Here, the idea of “growing up” concerns the idea of changing oneself. Throughout the novel, Tiger stops playing baseball, thinks about changing her name, and cuts her hair. It is only through taking charge and trying to change herself that Tiger realizes that she doesn’t need anybody’s approval.

Early in the novel, Tiger decides to stop playing baseball—a choice mostly driven by the fact that none of the other girls in Saitter seem to play. Later, she finds more reasons not to play, primarily that “a girl has to grow up sometime” (33), as she tells Jesse Wade. Eventually, Tiger tells Jesse Wade how she feels about their friendship, decides she wants to stay in Saitter, and begins to feel more truly grown up. It is only after Tiger feels more comfortable in herself that she returns to the game, thinking that “[i]t was like old times, only better” (197) since now some of the other girls are playing, too.

Tiger also considers changing her name to Ann when she visits Aunt Dorie Kay, or Doreen, in Baton Rouge. Aunt Dorie Kay tells Tiger that she will have an easier time fitting in if she changes her name; Tiger thinks that Ann “sound[s] plain,” but she admits that “a plain name [is] better than being teased” (125).