Read The Following Story By Alice Walker In Search Of Our Mo
Readthe Following Story By Alice Walkerin Search Of Our Mothers Gard
Read the following story by Alice Walker, "In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens." Read the following quotation from literary critic Harold Bloom to help you understand the purpose of Walker's essay: In her autobiographical essay, “In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens,” Alice Walker looks at the tremendous burden black women have had to carry from a historical perspective and analyzes the overwhelming odds they have had to overcome to express their creativity. All too often women’s accomplishments have been viewed as inferior since, traditionally, they have been judged according to male standards. Walker, however, acknowledges the great contributions women have made to our culture and traces the power of women through her own matriarchal lineage.
Watch the following trailer of - a film based on Walker’s life: Beauty in Truth. You'll find "The Trailer" on the right side of your screen (scroll down slightly). Write a paragraph discussing how the combination of reading the literary essay and learning about Walker through the Beauty in Truth trailer helped you gain perspective on Walker as an author, a champion for women, a proponent of civil rights, and an artist.
Paper For Above instruction
Combining Alice Walker's essay, "In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens," with the insights gained from the trailer of "Beauty in Truth" significantly deepened my understanding of Walker's multifaceted identity as an author, activist, and artist. The essay illuminated the profound struggles that black women have faced historically, highlighting their resilience and creativity in the face of systemic oppression. Walker's acknowledgment of women's contributions, often overlooked or undervalued, fostered a newfound appreciation for her dedication to revealing hidden histories and empowering marginalized voices. The trailer further enhanced this perspective by vividly portraying Walker’s life journey, her battles against racial and gender discrimination, and her unwavering commitment to civil rights. Seeing her personal experiences and artistic pursuits reinforced her role not just as a literary figure but as a passionate advocate for social justice and gender equality. Together, the essay and the documentary provided a comprehensive picture of Walker as a courageous woman who transforms personal and collective history into powerful narratives and art that challenge societal norms, inspire change, and uphold the dignity of women and oppressed communities. This holistic view underscores her significance not only as a writer but as a visionary leader advocating for truth, equality, and cultural recognition.
References
- Bloom, Harold. (1999). Harold Bloom on the American Novel. HarperCollins.
- Walker, Alice. (1982). In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens: Womanist Prose. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
- Shange, Ntozake. (2000). AIDS, Women, and Activism: The Unfinished Fight for Justice. University of California Press.
- Walker, Alice. (2013). Beauty in Truth: Inside the Words of Alice Walker. HBO Documentary Films.
- Lewis, David Levering. (2009). W.E.B. Du Bois: Biography of a Race. Henry Holt and Company.
- Andrews, Mary K. (2004). African American Women and the Civil Rights Movement. Routledge.
- King, Martin Luther Jr. (1963). I Have a Dream Speech. Delivered at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.
- Gates, Henry Louis Jr. (2014). Finding Your Roots: The Official Companion to the PBS Series. University of North Carolina Press.
- hooks, bell. (1994). Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom. Routledge.
- Collins, Patricia Hill. (2000). Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. Routledge.