Analysis of “The Century Quilt” Written by Marilyn Waniek, “The Century Quilt” describes the importance of heritage in the narrator’s life. Using imagery, tone, and structure, Waniek effectively illustrates the importance of her quilt. The quilt represents not only her family’s heritage but also her future heritage. Waniek’s diction creates a nostalgic tone: “I remembered how I’d planned to inherit that blanket” (Lines 9-10) and “my sister and I were in love with Meema’s Indian blanket” (lines 1-2). Her word choices “remembered” and “were in love,” Waniek emphasizes a sentimental memory.
Alice Walker Everyday Use Critically examine the representation of culture groups and communities in one or more texts studied. I have chosen to focus my study upon the novel by Alice Walker, ‘Everyday Use’. From the texts studied ‘Everyday Use’ appealed to me the most and stood out as being a great representation of different culture groups and communities, and ultimately how they affect identity. It is a complex story of different ideals and what it means to be part of a community or culture group, a story of what we inherit unintentionally and what we then choose to inherit when exposed to other cultures. ‘Everyday Use’ is almost an historical novel, based upon Dee’s family history.
Evolution of African American Community; Characterization in “Everyday Use” In Alice Walker’s short story “Everyday Use” characters and items are used to symbolize the progression of the African American families and their culture. The symbolism in the story is portrayed through the lives of the three main characters. Through these characters is seen a progression of the African American culture in society. The items that the characters hold dear represent the heritage they are trying to leave behind but still want to remember in the future. Walker uses the women to creatively display the evolution of African Americans in society.
The most significant objects in the story, which Dee wanted to have, are the two hand sewn quilts that were created by Grandma and Aunt Dee. These quilts are full of history; contain pieces of dresses worn by Grandma Dee and a piece of Dee’s Great Grandfather’s Civil War uniform. The quilts had already been promised to Maggie for when she married John Thomas, but Dee feels the quilts should be hers. Dee saw the quilts as objects to be shown off and kept in perfect condition, while Maggie had an emotional connection to the quilts that would last even without them. “‘She can have them, Mama,’ she said, like somebody used to never winning anything, or having anything reserved for her.
It became evident throughout The Book of Negroes, that Aminata enjoys the praise and admiration that she receives, as well as the privileges that came with being literate. “I liked ... recording how people obtained their freedom, how old they were and where they had been born. ... I loved the way people followed the movement of my hand as I wrote down their names and the way they made me read them aloud once I was done” (412). Due to her persistence in wanting to learn she became a well known figure around the world which leads to her come to the attention of an abolitionist who would eventually help disestablish the social norm of 'owning' a slave.
Jaquelin Rodriguez Professor Friedman HMXP 102 26 March 2014 Being a Colored Woman A community is defined as a group of people that share a common characteristic. Characteristics can range from passions, interests, professions, skin color to even sex orientation. Whether the individual belongs to the “nerd” community or the Democratic community, community plays a major role in molding the individual’s life. I am part of the Winthrop community, the Christian community, and even the brown-eyed community. The colored women community shapes and directs my everyday life.
Literature and Communities Literature reflects all communities and individual in a society. Many writers use their art of words to illustrate the culture and belief around them. The setting of cultural belief and the context is make up of many things that play a major part in the author choose how literature reflects on different communities such as: their culture, individually and society. The languages from literature help explain how it feels to live in a different community. It also tells what the characters feel about certain situation throughout the story or poem.
She uses flashbacks and memories to describe her memories in a peaceful way. The quilts colors and narrator's nostalgic tone are significant in highlighting how significant her roots are; they created her identity. When the speaker describes the colors of the quilt “six Van Dyke brown squares, two white, and one square
I Was A Black Girl Charlene T Gaines AFG1204A David Makhanlall 02/12/2012 I Was A Black Girl This paper will dissect the poem What It’s Like to Be a Black Girl (For Those of You Who Aren’t) from a black woman perspective. I will explain the feelings it evoked in me as I read each brilliantly placed word. I will describe my feelings and thought as I reread the words and remembered what it was like to be a black girl growing up. The poem What It’s Like to Be a Black Girl (For Those of You Who Aren’t) was very interesting because I could relate to it. (I am an Black woman who was born in 1968).
Commentary After reading Alice Walker’s novel ‘The Colour Purple’[1] I was heavily influenced by the theme of identity manipulation and oppression. Several other novels including ‘A Handmaid’s Tale’[2] and ‘Fingersmith’[3] helped further my understanding and thoughts around this theme, whilst also shaping my own attitudes and ideas on this subject. The oppression and manipulation of identity, a theme which neatly links the pieces together, was an appropriate foundation for my writing and was additionally developed by my wider reading. The non-fiction piece ‘Confessions of a People Watcher’ is a personal response to this theme; written in the form of a narrative essay it attracts a well-educated audience who have an interest in the personal opinion of such subjects. Although the primary purpose of this piece is to inform the reader, it was also created to inspire the reader’s own opinions around the themes.