Essay Maggie Character Analysis from Everyday Use

Have you ever noticed how some people just stand out from the crowd? Like the clouds in the sky and blades of grass, people are all different. â€Å"Everyday Use† by Alice Walker has a good example of an interesting, unique character. Maggie is a young girl who is not only physically but also mentally scarred. The way the burning house, her stuck-up sister, and society affects Maggie makes her different from everyone else. Maggie was so traumatized from her house burning down that she became a timid and under appreciated little girl. Maggie is so self conscious that her mom says she walks like a dog run over by a car: â€Å"chin on chest, eyes on ground, feet in shuffle, ever since the fire that burned the other house to the ground.† This†¦show more content†¦When she heard Dee’s request, she slammed the door and stormed out of the kitchen. This shows that Dee’s arrogance left a negative influence on Maggie’s personality. It’ s almost like Dee is trying to take away any happiness life throws out at Maggie. Although Maggie was deformed and neglected, it should not mitigate her need for joy in her life. Alice Walker juxtaposes Maggie with her sister, Dee, to demonstrate how society denigrates not only African-American women but women in general in the 1970s. Early on in the story, Maggie is described as nervous, hopelessly standing in the corner. Later she is described as nearly hidden from view. On a metaphorical level, Maggie is the symbol of the lack of power women held in the 1970s. She is the epitome of the silent female homemaker. On the other hand, Dee is assertive, â€Å"will look you right in the eye.† She serves as a symbol of the free, successful modern woman. However, her assertiveness might come off as cockiness, and too much pride. By contrasting Maggie and Dee, Alice Walker is expressing both sides of the female role during that time. All in all, Maggie is a very distinctive character. Her house burning to the ground, her arrogant sister, and the effect society has on her explains that. Alice Walker has a very interesting way of putting together two opposites to make one of their personalities very clear; Maggie’s persona would beShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Walker s Everyday Use863 Words   |  4 PagesAnalysis of Walker’s â€Å"Everyday Use† The short story â€Å"Everyday Use,† by Alice Walker, contains multiple different literary elements. History and heritage play a key role in the development and conclusion of this rather intriguing story. Although history and heritage are important, the driving factors of this story are the literary elements. In particular the elements of symbols, characterization, and point of view in this story are significant. The use of symbols in this short story provide a deeperRead MoreThe Meaning of Everyday Use with Characterization1495 Words   |  6 Pagesof Everyday Use with Characterization Analyzing characterization is the key to find fictions controlling idea and central insight--theme. Direct presentation--one character description technique--usually directly shows what characters are like by exposition, analysis, or another characters description. The other way to shape characters is to use the indirect presentation by describing their actions and leaving room for readers to develop their own ideas about the characters. Everyday UseRead More(A Critical Analysis of Alice Walker’s short story Everyday Use)700 Words   |  3 PagesAntojos de Mis Ojos (A Critical Analysis of Alice Walker’s short story Everyday Use) Albert Camus once asserted: â€Å"Men are never convinced of your reasons, of your sincerity, of the seriousness of your sufferings, except by your death. So long as you are alive, your case is doubtful; you have a right only to their skepticism.† In Everyday Use a strong willed mother tries to protect her younger daughter, Maggie, from having a quilt passed down for generations stolen from her by her materialistic olderRead MoreA Psychoanalytical Reading of Everyday Use by Alice Walker1201 Words   |  5 PagesEman Mohammed A psychoanalytical reading of Everyday Use by Alice Walker In everyday use the story is about a black family consists of two daughters and a mother. Its main idea is the attachment between each character to the past and to their family. Each character has different perspective towards the past. In my following essay I intend to look deeply in the characters mind by applying the psychoanalytical reading which can present details not only about the text but alsoRead MoreEssay on A Psychological Analysis of Alice Walkers Everyday Use883 Words   |  4 PagesA Psychological Analysis of Alice Walkers Everyday Use  Ã‚     Ã‚   The human mind is divided into three parts that make up the mind as a whole. These parts are necessary to have a complete mind, just as the members of a family are needed to make up the entire family. The use of components to equal a whole is often exercised in literature. Alice Walkers short story, Everyday Use, contains the idea of family and of the mind, therefore her work can be evaluated through psychological methods. ThroughRead MoreAn Analysis of Alice Walkers quot;everyday Usequot; Essay929 Words   |  4 Pagesp An Analysis of Alice Walkers Everyday Usep Alice Walkers novel, The Color Purple, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1982. This novel, in addition to her short story collections and other novels, continue to touch the emotions of a vast audience. This ability, according to critics, has solidified her reputation as one of the major figures in contemporary literature (Gwynn 462). Born to sharecroppers in Eatonton, Georgia, in 1944, Alice Walkers life was not always easy. Her parents strived toRead MoreEssay on The Importance of Heritage in Everyday Use829 Words   |  4 PagesIn â€Å"Everyday Use † by Alice Walker the exact setting is never revealed and therefore, can only be guessed, but it has been guessed that the story takes place on a country side in Georgia. At one point in the story Augusta is mentioned. The time is also estimated to be during the Civil Rights Movement around the year of 1973. Mrs. Johnson, along with her two daughters, reside in a small three room house, and take pride in there small yard. As Magg ie and Dee grow older they start to realize howRead MoreAnalysis Of The Flowers, By Alice Walker1525 Words   |  7 PagesThe two short stories The Flowers and Everyday Use have a common theme of feeling comfortable, safe, and at peace when one is home. Walker uses diction, syntax, and characterization to develop this common theme in her writing. A house is a safe comfortable place where one can feel at peace and in The Flowers and Everyday Use, the author Alice Walker develops the connection of home in the two texts by using symbolism and imagery. In The Flowers, the main character Myop is having a very merry and joyfulRead MoreSame Theme, Different Development in of Virginia Woolf and Alice Walker’s The Legacy and Everyday Use690 Words   |  3 Pagesmajor literary works of Virginia Woolf and Alice Walker’s The Legacy and Everyday Use, both of them have the common that is the theme of the story carries â€Å"the heritage† issue but the focus of it is different. In The Legacy, the focus of the heritage was a relic diary of Angela for her husband. Implicitly, we can conclude that the heritage was meant to be recognition of Angela to her husband. While the focus in Everyday Use, the focus of the heritage was the quilts, and in the final story we couldRead MoreViewing Heritage And Identity Of An African American Family992 Words   |  4 Pagesthe first read, the audience sides with the narrator and Maggie against Dee/Wangero. The reader can see Dee/Wangero antagonist of the story. However, this is not the only way to interpret â€Å"Everyday Use†. Walker has cre ated a more complex story than just right and wrong. After further analysis, the reader comes to understand that Wangero view of her cultural heritage and identity as a black woman in America is different than the view that Maggie and the narrator have. Wangero values the quilts differently

MR Assessed Task Free Essays

Please remember the suggested times are only a guide and each learner will work at their own pace. However, please try not to spend 2 hours on a task which should take 30 minutes. Don’t forget you can find a breakdown of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria relating to each task in the qualification specification or in your EDI portfolio. We will write a custom essay sample on MR Assessed Task or any similar topic only for you Order Now There is just one task for this unit which should be completed at the start. Assessment for the rest of the unit, learning outcomes 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be cover as direct observations assessed in the work place and will be on-going, as reflection on practice and personal development is a large part of working with children and this qualification. Task. 1. 1 Write a job description Of your work role, this can be a list of things you do with a brief explanation. (20-30 minutes) 1. 2 Link each item on the list to the relevant standards. If you ark with under as this will be the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYES), safeguarding and welfare requirements. (45 -60 minutes) You can use a table format or a piece of writing. As you work your way through the course you should keep a personal development plan. The plan should record development objectives, how you will achieve these objectives and time scales for review. It should also show how you have agreed these objectives and with whom. A downloaded template is provided for your use. How to cite MR Assessed Task, Papers

Sneakers vs. High Heels free essay sample

For Centuries, people from cultures and countries all over the world have been wearing shoes. They are a necessity to our everyday attire, and without them our feet would be in danger of getting hurt, and very dirty. High heels and sneakers help us express our own fashion sense and some provide comfort. Although they bear some superficial similarities, the differences between sneakers and high heels are distinct. It is clear that both kinds of shoes have many similarities as well as differences. They both protect us from injuries and getting dirty. If we didnt wear shoes, our feet would be very dirty, and they would be at risk of getting hurt from sharp objects or broken glass on the ground. However these days, the main reason we wear shoes is style. Whether its a new pair of Nikes or Jimmy Choos, we wear them to express ourselves; our taste, our age, and our personality. We will write a custom essay sample on Sneakers vs. High Heels or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Sneakers for instance, are the most common type of shoe and have hundreds of thousands different styles. They are also more versatile, whereas men and women wear them as opposed to heels which only women wear. The most distinct difference between them though is that sneakers are extremely more comfortable. They are very easy to move and walk in, making it much more comfortable to play sports, hike, run, or even if your just going to the grocery store. Lastly, their casual style allows you to wear them with anything, any time of the year. High Heels on the other hand are the complete opposite. Whereas sneakers are very comfortable, high heels look pretty but are the most painful shoes a woman will ever wear in her life. Not only are they uncomfortable, but they have also been proven to cause prolonged pain and other foot problems if worn for a continuous amount of time. Although, many women only wear heels for special occasions and/or parties. Despite their discomfort, women love to wear high heels to gain sex appeal. Wearing high heels makes your legs look longer, making many women feel sexier and boosting their confidence. High Heels are also very fashionable and stylish. Sneakers and high heels not only have differences, but also similarities such as fashion and protection. Although they may differ in comfort and style, they are both just as important and are worn everyday by millions of people. So let me ask you, if you had the chance to buy shoes, which pair would you buy; comfortable sneakers, or suffer some pain for a pair of trendy heels?

William Blake Biography and Works

William Blake is one of the well-known literary figures in England who is still in the memory of most people because of his excellent skills in painting, visionary mystic, engraving, and poetry. He was born on 28 November 1757 to an underprivileged household living in London and this condition of his family made him to receive little education and privileges when he was in his early years.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on William Blake Biography and Works specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Blake was largely unrecognized during his lifetime, may be because he dropped out of school in order to work in his father’s shop. However, he is now regarded as one of the influential figures in the history of both poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age since his works talk about the supremacy of the imagination over the rationalism and materialism of that period. Blake started to embrace biblical teachings ea rly in life, and these remained his source of motivation even in his later life (Blunt; Bronowski). In his early life, he also began engraving copies of drawings of Greek antiquities given to him by his father, and these drawings gave him an early exposure to a number of classical works by various authors. Because of his love for drawing, he was enrolled in drawing classes and he also made explorations into the world of poetry during that period. At fourteen years of age, he was apprenticed for a period of seven years to the British engraver, James Basire. After the completion of this term, he became a professional engraver. On October, 1779, he was enrolled at The Royal Academy for a six-year period. While at the school, he maintained the classical precision of his previous influences. Blake was married to Catherine Boucher on 18 August, 1782, whom he taught how to read and write as well as engrave. Catherine thereafter assisted her husband in coloring his poems and giving him bene ficial suggestions. In one of his books, The Book of Thel, Blake writes about the pain he had after the demise of his first daughter and last child. Apart from the few years he spent in school, Blake was self-educated and most of his pictorial work mainly represented biblical subjects. Blake’s elaborate paintings and engravings were therefore mainly associated to literature. The interdependence of poetry and painting formed the key principle in all his work and represented his idiosyncratic views. Even though he spent most of his lifetime around the city of London, he authored a wide variety of literary works, which embraced the human imagination as â€Å"the very body of God.† Blake was seen as mad because of the peculiar views he held. On the other hand, his expressiveness and creativity has currently made him an influential figure in the poetry world. The philosophical and mystical undercurrents that are demonstrated within his work were characterized to be part of the Romantic Movement and â€Å"Pre-Romantic,† because of their huge appearance during the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century.Advertising Looking for research paper on british literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More During this period, his country was ruled by the oppressive British Monarchy and the corrupt Church of England; therefore, this atmosphere of oppression was suffocating to the talented, intelligent Blake. These happenings made him to voice out his views in the disguise of romantic poems. The principles and aspirations of the French as well as of the American revolutions largely influenced his life and such theorists like Jacob Bohme and Emanuel Swendenborg also played a pivotal role in shaping his ideals. In spite of these known influences, the singularity of his work complicates any efforts to classify his work, for example, William Rossetti classified him as a â€Å"glorious luminary ,† while Peter Marshall classified him as one of the forerunners of modern anarchism. The development of Blake’s views can be seen in the differences that are evident between his early and late works. For that reason, Blake’s later literary work includes a private mythology with complicated use of symbols, his late work has received less preference than his earlier easily available work, for instance, the recent Vintage anthology of Blake was based on his earlier work. His earlier work has been seen by many scholars as mainly rebellious in character; therefore, it as been regarded as a form of protestation against dogmatic religion, for example, â€Å"The Marriage of Heaven and Hell† depicts Satan as the victor who rebels against an imposter authoritarian deity. In Blake’s later works, for example, â€Å"Milton† and â€Å"Jerusalem,† he portrays a distinguishing image of mankind as redeemed through self-sacrifice and forgiveness. He, h owever, maintains his previous position concerning the inflexible and gruesome authoritarianism of traditional belief system. Very few people have been able to understand the association that exists between Blake’s earlier and later works. Some scholars have suggested that his late works showed a growth of the ideas he had when writing his earlier works, for instance, the humanitarian objective of realizing personal wholeness of body and spirit was displayed in his late works. This is evident in one of his later writings, â€Å"The Unholy Bible,† which has a section that depicts the â€Å"Bible of Hell† pledged in one of his earlier works. Even though Blake criticized conservative religion, his denunciation of religiosity did not mean that he was totally against religion. His thoughts regarding orthodoxy Christianity is seen in â€Å"The Marriage of Heaven and Hell,† which are series passages that emulate the Biblical prophecy wherein he lists numerous Pr overbs of Hell. Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on William Blake Biography and Works specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In â€Å"The Everlasting Gospel,† he gives a well-thought description of Jesus. He describes Him as a supremely created being, which is above code of belief, logic, and even principles. However, he does not present him as philosopher or conventional messianic figure. He sees Jesus as the one who forms the important connection and union that exists between divinity and humanity. He was respectful to the word of God as given in the Bible but aggressive to the Church of England (Blake, 34). Blake formulated his own mythology that is evident in all his prophetic writings wherein he introduces some characters such as ‘Urizen,’ and ‘Bromion.’ Blake derived his mythology from the Bible and from some Greek scholars. His ideas of the everlasting gospel are mostly ba sed on this mythology. One of his major criticisms of conventional religion stems from the fact that he felt that it fostered the containment of human natural desires and depressed earthly happiness. This position that he takes is evident in â€Å"A vision of the Last Judgment† where he says that men get entrance into heaven, not because they have controlled their passions, but because they have been able to cultivate their inner understandings (Frye). In â€Å"The Marriage of Heaven and Hell,† he says that he does not agree to the orthodox ideology of a distinct body from the soul, and which must be under the submission of the soul. However, he says that the body is an extension of the soul taken from the ‘discernment’ of the human five senses. Therefore, the importance traditionalism puts on the rejection of earthly joy is a dualistic error. This error is derived from misapprehension of the association that exists between the body and the soul. In anothe r place, he describes Satan as in the ‘State of error’ and as in a condition wherein he cannot come to repentance. Blake had a complicated connection with Enlightenment philosophy and because of his religious affiliation, he did not agree with the Newtonian view of the universe. This way of thinking is depicted in â€Å"Jerusalem† where he also illustrates his opposition to the ‘single-vision’ of scientific materialism. In spite of his clear disagreement to Enlightenment philosophy, he reached at a linear aesthetic. This position was somewhat the same to the neoclassical engravings of John Flaxman than to the works of the Romantics. Consequently, he has been seen as one of the enlightenment poets and artists. This is because he was in agreement with that movement’s denial of received ideas, regulations, and conventions.Advertising Looking for research paper on british literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, Blake was viewed as being in opposition of what he thought as the elevation of reason to the level of a tyrannical regime. In his disapproval of reason, law, and uniformity, he has been seen as contradicting the enlightenment principles. However, a number of scholars have argued that, in a dialectical sense, he employed the enlightenment drive of denunciation to disapprove narrow notions of the enlightenment principles. In many of his poems and paintings, Blake talked about the concept of universal humanity, abhorrence to slavery, and strong belief in racial and sexual equality. For example, in one of his poems, â€Å"The Book of Thel,† he asked about the essence of living here in the world. This poem is thought to be a composition in honor of his dead newborn child. Until his death on 12 August, 1827, Blake maintained an active interest in the social and political happenings that were taking place during that time (De Selincourt). He presented his statements using m ystical symbolism. His position on what he perceived as intolerable extended to the Christian faith. His religious views are depicted in Songs of Experience. In this book, he differentiates between the Old Testament God, and the New Testament God. The restrictions of the former were rejected while those of the latter were accepted. In response to Blake’s Songs of Experience, D.C. Williams (1899-1983), said that Blake used the literary work to depict the suffering and loss posed by the nature of society and the world of his time. Throughout history, poets have been influenced to a large extent by the environment that they live in, and William Blake was no exception. His literary works have influential opposing views and comments concerning different social and political events during his time. In particular, he talked about important issues regarding human nature, the oppressive British monarchy, and the Christian faith. These views were safe from prosecution. This is because he skillfully masked them in symbolic language that could not be understood by many of his adversaries. Works Cited Blake, William. The complete poetry and prose of William Blake. Ed. David V. Erdman. New York: Anchor Books, 1982. Print. Blunt, Anthony. The art of William Blake. New York: Columbia University Press, 1959. Print. Bronowski, Jacob. William Blake, 1757-1827; a man without a mask. London: Secker Warburg, 1947. Print. De Selincourt, Basil. William Blake. New York: Haskell House Publishers, 1971. Print. Frye, Northrop. Blake; a collection of critical essays. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1966. Print. This research paper on William Blake Biography and Works was written and submitted by user Brown Starfish to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.