An Analysis of Alice Walker “Flowers”
The writings of Alice Walker, “One of the most prominent voices in black woman literature” (Donnelly 49) has been a shining light to many issues concerning African American women and men. The short stories, novels, essays, and poems give a voice to those that do not have a voice. Her ability to connect with her audience by using metaphors that correlate to her life, rank her as one of the greatest American writers. Walker, “Has achieved both fame and critical applause throughout her career” (Donnelly 6). In her short story “Flowers,” Walker not only shows the coming of age, but also racial injustice. “Flowers” captures the heart of the “Womanist,” opposite of girlish (Skripsky 234), a term Walker uses …show more content…
The name Myop represents myopia which means nearsightedness. The innocence of a child causes them to see only what is in front of them. As an innocent young girl, growing up in the south, Myop did not have a care or worry as most ten year olds do not. Her innocence is demonstrated as the story states as she skipped lightly. With her stick she worked out the beat of a song on the fence around the pigpen. Nothing existing but her song shows how carefree and happy-go-lucky Myop is (“Flowers”). Walker was an innocent, carefree, and easy going young girl growing up on a farm. She was not weighted down by her family’s poverty (Brim …show more content…
Laying the flowers down, expresses respect for the dead. It also emblematizes, serve as a symbolic representation, innocence being lost. Reality of the world manifested and her childhood was over. Likewise, Walker’s childhood accident that precipitated the loss of sight in her right eye is an example in her life that signifies loss of innocence. There are many examples of modern day loss of innocence. Many people have experienced, heard of, or read about police brutality, sexual assaults, teenage pregnancy, school and church shootings. Trayvon Martin, Renisha McBride, and Michael Brown Jr are names that represent injustice and modern day loss of innocence (Jones 193). This is a loss of innocence for America. No longer does Americans hear these stories from a historic standpoint, instead people are now experiencing this loss first hand. June 12, 2016 the nation woke up to the news of the worst mass shooting in US history. At least fifty people has lost their lives in Orlando Florida. This shooting was an act of terrorism and act of hatred. (Loss of
The writings of Alice Walker, “One of the most prominent voices in black woman literature” (Donnelly 49) has been a shining light to many issues concerning African American women and men. The short stories, novels, essays, and poems give a voice to those that do not have a voice. Her ability to connect with her audience by using metaphors that correlate to her life, rank her as one of the greatest American writers. Walker, “Has achieved both fame and critical applause throughout her career” (Donnelly 6). In her short story “Flowers,” Walker not only shows the coming of age, but also racial injustice. “Flowers” captures the heart of the “Womanist,” opposite of girlish (Skripsky 234), a term Walker uses …show more content…
The name Myop represents myopia which means nearsightedness. The innocence of a child causes them to see only what is in front of them. As an innocent young girl, growing up in the south, Myop did not have a care or worry as most ten year olds do not. Her innocence is demonstrated as the story states as she skipped lightly. With her stick she worked out the beat of a song on the fence around the pigpen. Nothing existing but her song shows how carefree and happy-go-lucky Myop is (“Flowers”). Walker was an innocent, carefree, and easy going young girl growing up on a farm. She was not weighted down by her family’s poverty (Brim …show more content…
Laying the flowers down, expresses respect for the dead. It also emblematizes, serve as a symbolic representation, innocence being lost. Reality of the world manifested and her childhood was over. Likewise, Walker’s childhood accident that precipitated the loss of sight in her right eye is an example in her life that signifies loss of innocence. There are many examples of modern day loss of innocence. Many people have experienced, heard of, or read about police brutality, sexual assaults, teenage pregnancy, school and church shootings. Trayvon Martin, Renisha McBride, and Michael Brown Jr are names that represent injustice and modern day loss of innocence (Jones 193). This is a loss of innocence for America. No longer does Americans hear these stories from a historic standpoint, instead people are now experiencing this loss first hand. June 12, 2016 the nation woke up to the news of the worst mass shooting in US history. At least fifty people has lost their lives in Orlando Florida. This shooting was an act of terrorism and act of hatred. (Loss of