The Welcome Table: A Formalist Evaluation Victoria A. ENG125: Introduction to Literature December 16, 2013 The Welcome Table: A Formalist Evaluation My Evaluation of “The Welcome Table”, by Alice Walker, was done using the formalist approach to literary criticism. Walker used many literary techniques and devices to highlight the racial tones of her story and provide insight into the racial injustices felt by blacks during the beginning of the civil rights movement. I was drawn into the story quickly, with Walker’s use of descriptive language painting a vivid image of the old black woman. The story begins to unfold on the steps of a “Big white church” where an elderly black woman, who has walked half a mile from her house, is sitting down to catch her breath. She has come to attend the service and the white church goers have a different opinion.
Running head Black & White Rebecca Ray Introduction to Literature Holly Ledcke November 27, 2012 Black & White The story that I chose this week is “The Welcome Table”; this story is about an older black woman that was not allowed in church because of color. The story takes place in Georgia at a “white” church. I guess the keyword being white; an older woman wanted to go to church one Sunday morning. This woman decided that she was going to go to another church, a church that she did not belong in. “She is not a welcomed visitor to this congregation, though.
Throughout the book, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot, it was evident that Deborah Lacks was curious to find out what happened to her mother, Henrietta, and her sister, Elsie. For her mother, she wanted to find out how she died and what happened to the HeLa cells. For her sister, Deborah wanted to know how she died and what kind of life she had at Crownsville. These questions concerning Elsie and Henrietta took such a toll on Deborah that she became physically ill and suffered extreme stress. In order to find out what happened to her sister Elsie, Deborah and Rebecca went to visit Crownsville where Elsie was staying before she died.
She practices her faith even though she can get crops or needs from the Wal-Mart that is “just down the road” (112). She can even perform a ceremony for her granddaughter in New York to the “twenty-first century totem pole…made of flash and neon” (114). Harjo is able to carry out her rituals and use her belief as a therapeutic figure for challenges she faces in life because nothing can damage her spiritual experience. Before Kamps became the spiritual being she is now, she once went to church to find truth in life. When Kamps’ mother died and she was pregnant, she needed the church the most.
Mason Tompkins Dr. J. H. Jones EH 104 January 21, 2015 Outline ❏ The story focuses on Miss Brill, and her weekly day at the park ❏ Miss Brill has heart problems, possibly an elderly woman ❏ “She felt a tingling in her hands and arms, but that came from walking, she supposed. And when she breathed, something light and sad - no, not sad, exactly - something gentle seemed to move in her bosom.” ❏ Miss Brill is either a widow or never married ❏ Miss Brill must be shy ❏ This was disappointing, for Miss Brill always looked forward to the conversation. She had become really quite expert, she thought, at listening as though she didn't listen, at sitting in other people's lives just for a minute while they talked round her. ❏ Miss Brill doesn’t
By detailing her appearance, “a long rusty dress adored with an old corsage, long withered, and the remnants of an elegant silk scarf as head rag stained with grease” (Walker , 1998). From the description of the woman, the audience is given the impression that she is old, and has “perhaps known suffering”. Alice Walker uses the metaphor of the woman’s face and the congregation of the church “searching hastily for reasons in that old tight face, shut now like an ancient door, there was nothing to be read” (Walker, 1998). She then uses one of the most distinct sentences in this story that gives the audience understanding as to the people of the congregation, “…and so they gazed nakedly upon their own fear transferred; a fear of the black and the old, a terror of the unknown as well as the deeply known” (Walker, 1998). To me this
Maggie knows she deserves the quilts made by her grandmother and aunt far more than Dee does but of course Dee thinks that everything is about her and that she should have what she wants. Maggie probably thinks that Dee will get the quilts because she had seemed to be Mama’s favorite, but not this time. Like Mama says, “This was Maggie’s portion.” Maggie deserves them way more than Dee. It is like they are back in church where once she would give Dee her “slightest whim,” she now refuses. After the fire it left Maggie with scars on the inside and out and that is why she acts so shy and timid throughout her
When she meets the little girl Miriam, her life takes a different step. Miriam the little girl could be seen as a god send for Mrs. Miller. She is what one would call a hidden message asking Mrs Miller to accomplish or do something with her life before death comes for her like he did for her husband. When Mrs. Miller first meets Miriam, she is taken aback by the outlook of Miriam. Miriam stood out from the rest of the crowd, Her hair was the longest and strangest Mrs. Miller had ever seen; absolutely white like an albino’s.
Melba's Faith: Word count 240 In the book Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals, Melba possesses a great deal of faith. Melba's grandmother tells her that God expects a lot more of their family, because they have been blessed. This stars the foundation for Melba's faith. At a very young age, Melba writes in her diary as a way to talk to God and ask for help. Melba would not have taken the time to write to God had she not had faith he was listening to her.
The wedding was beautiful, the kids loved Jack, and he loved them; everything was just what he prayed for. All seemed well with Jack and Lydia, that was until the day two of Lydia’s “friends” showed up. After six months of marital bliss, Lydia behavior becomes erratic. She becomes uncomfortable with Jack’s long hours at the hospital. Lydia expressed to Jack that she wants him home more, however Jack informed her that we was unable to cut back.