Topic:Alice Walker was the first contemporary writer to focus on the black, southern, rural woman. Closely Read Alice Walker’s poem, Women. Write a literary analysis of this work, which which argues that the women that Walker presents are in fact, every woman, without regard to race, ethnicity, or region.
Thesis: There are myriad memorable moments and behind-the scene roles that Southern black women played to overcome the oppression and the double minority of being black and female. This struggle supplied the support and the strength that led to the fight to make this the “land of opportunity” for all women, regardless of race, ethnicity, or region. Women share the commonality of oppression and unequal rights. Today, we are not fighting for the benefit of one woman or for one group of women. Throughout history, women have earned the right to vote, educate themselves and uphold leading roles in society, but the struggle continues for political, social, and economical status in America.
Introduction:
A. Who is the poet and what is his/her reputation in the world of ideas? What else did s/he write, what did s/he suffer, and why is s/he regarded as an acclaimed writer?
B. Briefly summarize the contents of the poem (paraphrase poetic content).
C. Set forth the underlined thesis statement, or controlling idea, based on the topic you selected (see topic and thesis above).
II. Body: In 5-7 fully conceived, closely reasoned, and cogent para’s, provide a vigorous defense of your thesis statement, based on specific and serious source material, represented by in-text documentation, copious lines and material from the poem, and of course, your own thoughtful thinking and interpretation.
NOTE: You must use each of the required sources at least once in your paper, and these must be sourced via in-text documentation, as well as in the works cited page, at the end of the paper.
III. Conclusion: Briefly restate your major claims, and conclude with a forceful restatement of the thesis statement, in different language.
Your discussion will be 3-5 pages, not including the works cited page, which is required.
Please use these sources as well as any other:
1. Deborah Gray White-Ar’N’t I a Woman?: Female Slaves in the Plantation South.
W.W. Norton & Company, 1999.
2. Jessica Valenti. “For Women in America, Equality is Still an Illusion”. The Washington Post Feb 21, 2010.
3. Ellen DuBois. Woman Suffrage and Women’s Rights. New York: NYU Press, 1998.
4. Anna Quindlen. “Everyday Equality; Each of us Rose on the shoulders of women who had come befor us..Newsweek 25 Sept. 2006.
5. PBS Video, prod. One Woman, One Vote. Dir. Ruth Pollak. 1 Dec 1996
6. Marilyn Frye. The Politics of Reality. New York: The Crossing Press, 1983.
7. Christine Thomas. Women and the Struggle for Socialism. The Socialist. 15 Sept. 2010
There are faxes for this order.