Waiting to Exhale is the story of four African American women who share the pain and triumphs of living. All four--Savannah, Bernadine, Robin, and Gloria--have one thing in common, each is searching for a special man in their lives. The theme of this story is that family consists, not of the traditional nuclear structure, but of all those supportive others who provide love and support in time of need.
At the beginning of the story each of the women have men in their lives but none who would qualify as good husband material. Savannah is single, never married. She has a promising career in television and has just made the move from Denver to Phoenix, partly because she has not been able to find a husband in Denver. Robin is another professional woman; she is love with Russell, an incorrigible ladies' man. Bernadine, a wealthy housewife, has just learned that John, her husband of eleven years, is divorcing her for a young white woman. Gloria, a protective single mother of teenager Tarik, has a platonic relationship with Tarik's father. The story's end brings significant changes in the lives of these women. Robin becomes pregnant and gets the emotional courage to leave Russell. Gloria gets a man in her life, Marvin, and learns to let go of Tarik. Bernadine adjusts to her new status as a single woman after meeting James, an attorney. Savannah is still single, but learns that the definition of family is not limited to husband/wife/children. This sentiment is eloquently expressed after Gloria ends up in the hospital with a heart attack. Savannah, Robin, and Bernadine are by her side. Gloria's doctor inquires about their relationship. Bernadine answers, "I think we're all responsible for her. She's our sister" (396).
Waiting to Exhale is connected to the ideology of the African American family because the characters in the story function as a family, helping each other survive emotional stress. The life of the averag...