As the rise of the Civil Rights Movement came on during the 1960’s, women began to question what rights they offered themselves. A lifetime of unjust treatment towards them certainly brought on insecurities. In the short story “Roselily” by Alice Walker, Roselily, an impoverished brown woman with three children, is in the process of marrying a wealthy black Muslim man. Told in third person, the narrator illustrates the fears that consume Roselily as the preacher says the final words before the bride and groom are pronounced husband and wife. In this story, Roselily realizes that although she had associated her fiancé with freedom, perhaps he would cause a different form of entrapment. Due to the gender and poverty of Roselily, she has experienced
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Rather than developing power within herself, she utilizes the power men can provide. Roselily is aware that to go from a single woman to a married women would improve the perspective that society has on her. When the preacher says the words, “To join this man and woman,” Roselily thinks of, “Respect, a chance to build” (Walker). Rather than emotions of love, she is thinking of the higher level of class she will perceived as. Secondly, as a woman, Roselily was not being paid enough to support her three children, although a man would easily be able to provide for them. Roselily had previously had issues with money which lost her a child, “her fourth child she gave away to the child’s father who had some money” (Walker). Again, she is marrying in order for her kids to live a quality life. The insufficient wages women are given force Roselily to marry this wealthy man. Lastly, marrying a wealthy man was supposed to provide freedom, although while contemplating the situation, Roselily uncovers a different form of entrapment caused by his religion. Through Islam, she will be made to wear a robe and veil, to stay home and raise more children, and to sit apart from her husband in worship services, “His place of worship. Where she will be required to sit apart with covered head” (Walker). In order for her children to be respected, Roselily is willing to make that risk. In summary, Roselily ran to men for power because she valued the well-being of her
Rather than developing power within herself, she utilizes the power men can provide. Roselily is aware that to go from a single woman to a married women would improve the perspective that society has on her. When the preacher says the words, “To join this man and woman,” Roselily thinks of, “Respect, a chance to build” (Walker). Rather than emotions of love, she is thinking of the higher level of class she will perceived as. Secondly, as a woman, Roselily was not being paid enough to support her three children, although a man would easily be able to provide for them. Roselily had previously had issues with money which lost her a child, “her fourth child she gave away to the child’s father who had some money” (Walker). Again, she is marrying in order for her kids to live a quality life. The insufficient wages women are given force Roselily to marry this wealthy man. Lastly, marrying a wealthy man was supposed to provide freedom, although while contemplating the situation, Roselily uncovers a different form of entrapment caused by his religion. Through Islam, she will be made to wear a robe and veil, to stay home and raise more children, and to sit apart from her husband in worship services, “His place of worship. Where she will be required to sit apart with covered head” (Walker). In order for her children to be respected, Roselily is willing to make that risk. In summary, Roselily ran to men for power because she valued the well-being of her