Initial Personal Reaction: At
first glance this looked like a story of a bride with cold feet. However, upon further inspection there was
more to it. Walker tells the story
through the thoughts of Roselily, a poor mother of three who is currently being
wed. I felt this was a rather interesting way to tell a story. This is done by using a limited point of view,
only allowing the reader to know the thoughts and observations of a single
character. Personally, this piece actually does have relevance since I am currently
engaged, I sure hope she isn’t thinking like Roselily.
Literary Element/Thematic Analysis: Walker’s use of imagery particularly stands
out as the most influential literary element in Roselily. The comparison of
Roselily to “cotton ready to be weighed” not only objectifies her, but because
this is coming from Roselily’s own thoughts makes me think she is not in this
relationship for love. Secondly,
Roselily thinks of ropes, chains, and handcuffs when she thinks about her fiancé’s
religion. Again, this is setting off
alarms, this does not sound like the thoughts of a woman in love who is supposed
to be having the best day of her life. Throughout
the story, Walker’s use of imagery paints a portrait of a woman, not marrying
for love, but who is marrying a man for the possibilities of a better life.
Questions/Comments: I
feel that the imagery used was the strongest literary element Walker used truly
giving insight to the reader, even though this story is in the point of view
category. What do you think? Do you
maybe have a different idea of what Walker is saying?
I noticed all the visual context that walker was trying to portray as well. I think she did that so that the reader could imagine what the wanted in a way. She stimulated a visual response so that it would be vague. She left a lot up to the readers imagination.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this story was all about the point of view because if it had been in the grooms P.O.V. it would be a totally different story. Also if the bride had a different view on her life the story would have been changed. She possibly could have love the gentleman but was so work up about getting out of her situation she didn't care either way.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Walker was trying to say how women are objectified and made to believe this is the direction they must go. I think Walker was trying to point out how some women want to be free and will do almost anything to get even a little bit more freedom from there life. This to me was a feminist piece speaking to equality for women.
Congratulations on your engagement :). Personally, I think it was also more about the point of view, because of the style it was written in. Walker intercepted Roselily's thoughts with the lines from the marriage ceremony in order to better show the reader how Roselily was feeling at that particular moment, and to basically put ourselves in her difficult situation. It was a very interesting perspective, but I definitely felt Roselily's pain much better than if it was in a different point of view. I couldn't really understand the setting though?
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