Alice Walker's Roselily, was one of those sad stories about an unknown bride that seemed forced into marriage. The scene that is before me is a young woman who seems as though she doesn't want to be in the situation, is bored, and clearly uninterested in her own marriage before her. The ceremony around her seems big, especially since it is taking place in the south.
The story seems to capture a sense of the desperation some woman faced, she did not seem to want to get married, but rather did it for money reasons and wanted a stable life. She has kids from before this marriage, and it seems she is doing it for them. The theme I found throughout the story was misery. The unnamed bride did not seem like the was in love or even wanted love. She needed means to survive. She is portraying that woman need men, that they should get married, do anything their husbands ask, and have many children that they do not necessarily want, but choose to have to give they husbands a huge family. Many emotions are going through her while she is standing at the alter such as fear, uninterested, and desperation. She is thinking all of this in just a few minutes, and seems as though time stops when the preacher is speaking to the couple. She is thinking through this marriage while standing in front of a priest about to get married.
Questions/Comments:
What does the butterfly have to do with the story? The butterfly captivated her for a few short moments and would like to know what it is.
Alice Walker short story had some similarities in the Colette "The Hand" short story. While reading your blog I found that I see it more even today. Women and men find the need to settle down when the opposite sex has the stability. Nevertheless, I see the "LOVE" has been lost but settling has been the answer in this case.
ReplyDeleteDemond Richardson
ReplyDeleteCommenting on Ashley K
Butterflies can have different meanings. What I took it from it was that while butterflies have freedom in flying, they are still extremely delicate creatures who are at the mercy of birds and other insects.
When reading the story, I saw the floating butterfly as a simple insect that had a simple life. You stated above that the job of a woman is to have a man, marry, procreate, and survive. Now think of the life of the butterfly. It finds a mate, they procreate, and survive. Taking in Demond's comment, there is also outside factors that are involved such as "birds and other insects." In this point of view, birds and insects may be financial situations and providing for children. Since these objects have no real connection to humans, there may be many multiple significant meanings to a simple butterfly.
ReplyDeleteI think the butterfly was a sign of beauty. The life ahead of her represented the butterfly. That it will smoothly guide her in the right path and that the road ahead is brighter.
ReplyDeleteI think butterflies can represent a multitude of things, from beauty to delicacy. However, I was more focused on its flight, as flying has often been used as a symbol for freedom. This is especially relevant considering the fact she is being chained to a marriage.
ReplyDeletei think it was a flash back to her childhood .
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