Meridian (novel): Difference between revisions
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{{other uses|Meridian (disambiguation)}} |
{{other uses|Meridian (disambiguation)}} |
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==Themes and critiques== |
==Themes and critiques== |
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Walker wrote the novel at a time when many young black people were shifting away from supporting the practice of nonviolence and civil disobedience that had characterized the early years of the movement and had begun to take on |
Walker wrote the novel at a time when many young black people were shifting away from supporting the practice of nonviolence and civil disobedience that had characterized the early years of the movement and had begun to take on more militant and extreme positions thereby alienating some supporters.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|title = Remembering the Dream: Alice Walker, Meridian and the Civil Rights Movement|jstor = 468042|journal = MELUS|date = 1999-10-01|pages = 111–128|volume = 24|issue = 3|doi = 10.2307/468042|first = Roberta M.|last = Hendrickson}}</ref> Several literary critics believe that the novel is a critique of the Civil Rights Movement from that period. They interpreted Walker's work as suggesting that the revolution never addressed the suffering of women. Rather it perpetuated destructive and often chauvinistic values.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|title = Meridian: Alice Walker's Critique of Revolution|jstor = 2904556|journal = Black American Literature Forum|date = 1986-04-01|pages = 129–141|volume = 20|issue = 1/2|doi = 10.2307/2904556|first = Karen F.|last = Stein}}</ref> |
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Some critics thought that Walker used ''Meridian'' to showcase her [[womanist]], as opposed to feminist attitudes.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Coming to Voice in Alice Walker's Meridian: Speaking Out for the Revolution|jstor = 3042078|journal = African American Review|date = 1992-04-01|pages = 77–88|volume = 26|issue = 1|doi = 10.2307/3042078|first = Lynn|last = Pifer}}</ref> A strong believer in the inherent power of the woman, Walker depicts her title character as an innately tough and resolute person, though not one without problems. Walker argues that personal struggles are an unavoidable part of life. She believes this is how individuals overcome obstacles and ultimately define their characters. ''Meridian'' features earlier examples of strong female role models. |
Some critics thought that Walker used ''Meridian'' to showcase her [[womanist]], as opposed to feminist attitudes.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Coming to Voice in Alice Walker's Meridian: Speaking Out for the Revolution|jstor = 3042078|journal = African American Review|date = 1992-04-01|pages = 77–88|volume = 26|issue = 1|doi = 10.2307/3042078|first = Lynn|last = Pifer}}</ref> A strong believer in the inherent power of the woman, Walker depicts her title character as an innately tough and resolute person, though not one without problems. Walker argues that personal struggles are an unavoidable part of life. She believes this is how individuals overcome obstacles and ultimately define their characters. ''Meridian'' features earlier examples of strong female role models. |
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=== Racial Injustice === |
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Throughout ''Meridian'' Walker examines how Meridian, Anne-Marion, and other characters in the Civil Rights Movement have differing ideas of how to proceed for racial justice. Unlike her friend Anne-Marion, Meridian is not ready to become fully radicalized. Throughout the book Meridian risked her life to affirm the principle of integration, for it had already been established as law, rather than give up the practice of non violence.<ref name=":3" /> Toward the end of the novel, Meridian continues to risk her health and her own happiness to continue working in grassroots activism, long after the Civil Rights Movement, torn apart by differing ideas within the movement regarding the practice of non-violence, is declared over. |
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=== Motherhood === |
=== Motherhood === |
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Walker suggests in the novel that motherhood is not for all women despite society's expectations. The main character Meridian goes against the norms of society; she gives up her son Eddie Jr for adoption to pursue her education and becomes an activist in the civil rights movement.<ref name=":1">Natural Woman, Unnatural Mother: The Convergence of Motherhood and the “Natural” World in Alice Walker’s Meridian By Sampada Chavan1 Reference</ref> |
Walker suggests in the novel that motherhood is not for all women despite society's expectations. The main character Meridian goes against the norms of society; she gives up her son Eddie Jr for adoption to pursue her education and becomes an activist in the civil rights movement.<ref name=":1">Natural Woman, Unnatural Mother: The Convergence of Motherhood and the “Natural” World in Alice Walker’s Meridian By Sampada Chavan1 Reference</ref> |
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Throughout Meridian you can see the power against racism, through Walker describing how Meridian and other activists were trying to fight against everyone. As stated in “Remembering the DREAM”<ref name=":2" /> it even stated that even as a young college student she was always an activist, because she was involved in the Atlanta Movement, as well as she was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr, so she always wanted to participate in the civil rights movements and fight for what’s right. However Meridian thinks that throughout the protests that she is somewhat not ready to become fully radical. This was said throughout the text “Alice Walker’s critique of Revolution” when the author states that Meridian had risked her life to affirm the principle of integration, for it has already been established as law.<ref name=":3" /> What this meant was at first Meridan was scared to be in charge of the protest, because by her doing so it would be risky because she can lose her life. However, she on the other hand you can see that Lynne is unable to spread her message to others, as if she was scared, due to Truman ruining it. But Meridian didn't give up and continue to fight, because she was sick of the racism, and wanted to fight for their rights, in which she did. |
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Revision as of 18:28, 8 December 2022
.jpg) First edition | |
| Author | Alice Walker |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Harcourt Brace Jovanovich |
Publication date | May 1976 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 228 |
| ISBN | 0-15-159265-9 |
Meridian is a 1976 novel by American author Alice Walker. It has been described as Walker's "meditation on the modern civil rights movement."[1] Meridian is about Meridian Hill, a young black woman in the late 1960s who is attending college as she embraces the civil rights movement at a time when the movement becomes violent. The story follows her life into the 1970s through a relationship that ultimately fails, and her continued efforts to support the movement.
Plot summary
Set in the 1960s and 1970s, Meridian centers on Meridian Hill, a student at the fictitious Saxon College, who becomes active in the Civil Rights Movement. She becomes romantically involved with another activist, Truman Held. They have a turbulent on-and-off relationship, during which she becomes pregnant by him.
After Meridian has an abortion, Truman becomes far more attached to her and longs for them to start a life together. Later, Truman becomes involved with a white woman, Lynne Rabinowitz, who is also active in the Civil Rights struggle, though perhaps for the wrong reasons.
As time passes, Truman attempts unsuccessfully, to achieve personal and financial success while Meridian continues to stay involved in the movement and fight for issues she deeply believes in.
Themes and critiques
Walker wrote the novel at a time when many young black people were shifting away from supporting the practice of nonviolence and civil disobedience that had characterized the early years of the movement and had begun to take on more militant and extreme positions thereby alienating some supporters.[2] Several literary critics believe that the novel is a critique of the Civil Rights Movement from that period. They interpreted Walker's work as suggesting that the revolution never addressed the suffering of women. Rather it perpetuated destructive and often chauvinistic values.[3]
Some critics thought that Walker used Meridian to showcase her womanist, as opposed to feminist attitudes.[4] A strong believer in the inherent power of the woman, Walker depicts her title character as an innately tough and resolute person, though not one without problems. Walker argues that personal struggles are an unavoidable part of life. She believes this is how individuals overcome obstacles and ultimately define their characters. Meridian features earlier examples of strong female role models.
Racial Injustice
Throughout Meridian Walker examines how Meridian, Anne-Marion, and other characters in the Civil Rights Movement have differing ideas of how to proceed for racial justice. Unlike her friend Anne-Marion, Meridian is not ready to become fully radicalized. Throughout the book Meridian risked her life to affirm the principle of integration, for it had already been established as law, rather than give up the practice of non violence.[3] Toward the end of the novel, Meridian continues to risk her health and her own happiness to continue working in grassroots activism, long after the Civil Rights Movement, torn apart by differing ideas within the movement regarding the practice of non-violence, is declared over.
Motherhood
In Alice Walker's "Meridian" the theme of motherhood is very prevalent but is not highlighted in the traditional way. Meridian who becomes a mother really young has an experience with motherhood most would frown upon. In most cases mothers decide to stick with the child they birthed because that is what most people do but Meridian chose the opposite. Meridian does not take the traditional route of motherhood but instead she defies society rules and creates a life suitable for herself. She decides to give up her son to follow her desires of going to college and being a writer. In the book, the examples of motherhood around Meridian were very "heroic." However, this "heroism" was not out of strength it was out of necessity and Meridian sought to change that, with the action of giving up her child to pursue her dreams.
Upon getting pregnant out of wedlock in Meridian's teenage years she is expelled from school and forced to give up her education. Meridian after a few years decides to give up her son Eddie Jr because she realizes that her son had prevented her from achieving her dreams and ambitions. Meridian chose to give up her son because she did not want to repeat what her mother had done; her mother too had given up her teaching career upon having children. There are multiple other examples of the difficulties of motherhood in the book. Meridian's friend Nelda is also forced to give up her education upon getting pregnant. Another example was a thirteen-year-old girl who killed her child and was in prison for that crime. While visiting the girl Meridian's sympathies are not with the girl's murdered child but rather her sympathies are with the young mother who killed her child. These girls had dreams which became paralyzed by their teenage pregnancies.[5]
Walker suggests in the novel that motherhood is not for all women despite society's expectations. The main character Meridian goes against the norms of society; she gives up her son Eddie Jr for adoption to pursue her education and becomes an activist in the civil rights movement.[6]
References
- ^ "Alice Walker Literary Society". www.emory.edu. Retrieved 2015-05-08.
- ^ Hendrickson, Roberta M. (1999-10-01). "Remembering the Dream: Alice Walker, Meridian and the Civil Rights Movement". MELUS. 24 (3): 111–128. doi:10.2307/468042. JSTOR 468042.
- ^ a b Stein, Karen F. (1986-04-01). "Meridian: Alice Walker's Critique of Revolution". Black American Literature Forum. 20 (1/2): 129–141. doi:10.2307/2904556. JSTOR 2904556.
- ^ Pifer, Lynn (1992-04-01). "Coming to Voice in Alice Walker's Meridian: Speaking Out for the Revolution". African American Review. 26 (1): 77–88. doi:10.2307/3042078. JSTOR 3042078.
- ^ Tucker, Lindsey (February 1991). "Walking the red road: Mobility, maternity and Native American myth in Alice walker'smeridian". Women's Studies. 19 (1): 1–17. doi:10.1080/00497878.1991.9978851. ISSN 0049-7878.
- ^ Natural Woman, Unnatural Mother: The Convergence of Motherhood and the “Natural” World in Alice Walker’s Meridian By Sampada Chavan1 Reference