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In "Recitatif," Morrison's purpose for describing Twyla and Roberta in detail while avoiding naming either character's race is to add another dimension to the story. In reading the story, it becomes difficult not to speculate on the race of Twyla and Roberta. For example, readers often admit to assigning their own race to Twyla because readers tend to identify most with the central character of stories. Even the clue that the girls are referred to by the nickname "salt and pepper" doesn't specify which is which. Every hint can logically lead to many conflicting conclusions. No matter what one believes about each character's race, a believable argument exists for the opposite view. Overall, Morrison shows that our perceptions of others are largely based on our own experiences and beliefs rather than the people themselves. The gar girls symbolize how the same people are altered drastically based on perceptions. The girls that eight-year-old Twyla thought looked tough become young and vulnerable in an older Twyla’s memory. 

Morrison's treatment of race in this story is similar to the aim of reverse poetry, a form of poem that can be read from the top to bottom of the page or vice versa. Depending on the direction readers choose, the poem has a completely different meaning. Similarly, readers become a part of the story as they project their own prejudices onto Twyla and Roberta. While "Recitatif" tells a story about two friends over time, Morrison expertly uses language to cause readers to also examine their own preconceptions.

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