Alice Walker And Maya Angelou Comparison

Although almost a generation apart in age, Alice Walker and Maya Angelou display remarkable similarities in their lives. Both writers have written about their experiences growing up in rural South, Angelou in her autobiographies and Walker through her essays. Even though they shared similar backgrounds, each writer has a special style which gives the reader, the front row seat of their exquisite humanity, with all its joy and sorrows. Harsh events occur with both women at the age of eight. Angelou was sexually abused and Walker lost sight in one eye. The description of each incident was a part of both African American life work. The women related their experiences in novels that were published. Maya Angelou told her story in her autobiography; I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, as a chapter …show more content…
Alice Walker wrote her incident in present tense by conveying her thoughts through short sentences. The diction she chooses cause the audience to feel that exact emotional toll that she experienced. A reference from an early chapter, explains how her brothers were given BB guns and she wasn’t, Walker wrote, “Because I am a girl, I don’t get a gun. Instantly, I am relegated to the position of Indian”. The diction used causes the audience to feel anger and annoyed. Many people dislike the thought of being relegated to anything. Another version of Walker’s uses of “aggressive” words can be found in her confrontation with her parents following the accident. Within chapter six, Walker speaks of when her parents request the information about the accident, by the use of a combative word, “confronted”. Everyone want to bombard or assault an attack whenever they are confronted about something. Her unique approach and choose of diction make her audience aware that she feels abandoned and timid. Walker is left to defend herself. (Maya Angelou/ Alice