Resistance in the Novel, Meridian by Alice Walker Essay

Meridian By Alice WalkerIn this compelling novel by Alice Walker, Meridian, the main character, grows upthrough the eyes of the reader. The author shows us the emotional, physical, andpsychological stages of resistance that Meridian goes through during the heightof the civil rights movement. In fact, if one looks at the life of Alice Walker,the author of the novel, similarities undeniably exist between the two women.First let us examine the early signs of resistance in Meridian. One of the firstobvious examples of Meridian's individuality is when she rejects religion at avery young age despite her mother's devout Christian beliefs. In school, sheis unable to finish a speech because she knows that there is no truth in thewords she speaks. "Meridian was trying to explain to her mother that for thefirst time she really listened to what she was saying, knew she didn't believeit, and was so distracted by this revelation that she could not make the rest ofher speech." (Walker, 121) This passage reveals the intellect that overpowersher emotion developing in Meridian. Yet another example is how Meridian is ableto be a nonconformist when she gives up family life and motherhood when she hasthe opportunity to attend college. Her feelings are well explained in thispassage. "When she gave him away she did so with a light heart. She did notlook back, believing she had saved a small person's life." (Walker, 90-91)Although Meridian feels it will be best for the child as well as for herself,this decision causes great disturbance within her because of her mother'sdisapproval. The reader sees Meridian enter college after she has made all ofthese decisions, and she has also volunteered to work for voter registration, adecision that foreshadows further resistance throughout the novel. When Meridianenters college, she does so knowing that she will better herself. One of thefirst things the reader notes is her determinism to give the wild child a chancein society, and then, after the wild child's tragic and sudden death,...

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Character Analysis of Basil Hallward in The Picture of Dorian Gray, a Novel by Oscar Wilde Essay

The main character in The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian, is a man too easily influenced by his surroundings. He is quoted as saying, Basil Hallward is what I think I am Lord Henry is what the world thinks me Dorian is what I would like to bein other ages, perhaps (Wilde). This comparison falls in line with the moral of the story because Dorian is stuck with eternal youth and beauty even though he has a wicked soul. This causes different views of him by people who observe his daily life. Dorian is a sponge throughout the novel that absorbs everything and allows it to shape his personality, morals, and actions. Dorian Gray takes influence from Lord Henry, Basil Hallward, and the culture of society during which the novel was written. Lord Henry is the epitome of a wealthy, hedonistic gentleman seeking only pleasure, with little regard to cost or consequence. Lord Henry Wotton outwardly propounds hedonism, but it is his extreme egotism that drives him to manipulate both Basil Hallward a
Read more

Religious Symbolism in The Blessed Damozel, a Poem by Dante Gabriel Rossetti Essay

Dante Gabriel Rossettis poem The Blessed Damozel is full of religious symbolism. There is talk of saints, and the poem itself takes place in heaven. But underneath the religious symbolism is a deep sensuality, that makes one wonder if the white rose of Marys gift referred to in line nine is the gift of Mary the Virgin, or the somewhat less virginal Mary Magdalene. While the Damozel is in heaven, her appearance in heaven, her behaviors in life, and what happens when she and her lover are reunited suggest some less than virginal dealings, yet the damozel is blessed and resides in heaven. Rossetti was the child of liberals kicked out of Italy a heavily catholic country for their extreme political views. While Rossetti himself was not political, he may have espoused similar views regarding politics and religion as his parents. In the poem The Blessed Damozel, Rossetti was given the chance to essentially create his own heaven. Most everything he wrote seems to show that Rossetti espoused
Read more

An Analysis of the Character of Chichikov in the Poem, Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol Essay

Dead Souls takes place in the Russia of the late 1800s, where, unlike in America, one must be born into a prosperous family in order to have opportunities. The main character, Chichikov, is clever enough to develop a scheme in which he can rise from being a petty clerk to a respected landowner. In order to do this, Chichikov moves into a new town, pretending to already be a landowner, and begins a quest to buy the names of dead serfs who have not yet been officially reported dead. Each person that Chichkov presents this offer to has a different reaction, starting with the shy and introverted Manilov. Though he does not understand Chichikov's need for the names of these dead serfs, Manilov is a character that is so desperate for company that it does not take any effort to trick him into selling his dead souls cheaply. However, as Chichikov continues his journey, he starts to deal with more clever landowners who become suspicious of his scheme. Chichikov finds that the townsmen know
Read more