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“Everyday Use” by Alice Walker. Good morning! . Please take a copy of the Fahrenheit 451 test from the front table if you would like to look over what you missed when I hand back the tests. #57- B
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Good morning! Please take a copy of the Fahrenheit 451 test from the front table if you would like to look over what you missed when I hand back the tests. #57- B Also, turn in your “HB” analysis paragraphs to the black tray at the front of the room. Make sure your MLA header is there!
Journal #8 If you could save only one precious possession of yours from being destroyed or left behind, what would it be? Write a short paragraph identifying the item, as well as explaining why it is important to you and why you would be devastated if it were destroyed.
Alice Walker • Born in Georgia in the 1940s • After a gunshot wound to her right eye, Walker became withdrawn from society and discovered a love for writing. • Studied in Uganda and was active in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s • Author of The Color Purple, as well as many other short stories and poems. • She often includes themes about race, love, and family in her work.
“Everyday Use”: Background Information • The story takes place in the 1960s during the Black Power movement. • “Back to Africa” movement: Many African Americans began to have pride in their heritage and seek to learn more about their African roots. • This movement was especially popular among young people on college campuses.
“Everyday Use”: Background Information • Not all African Americans (especially those who were older) were excited about the “Back to Africa” movement. • Why go “back” to Africa when you’ve never lived there?
Narrator Reliability • Mama is the first person narrator of “Everyday Use.” • All narrators are trying to convey a message, but have you ever thought about how reliable a narrator might be? • A narrator’s reliability is the extent to which he or she can be believed in what he/she said.
To determine a narrator’s reliability, examine the following: • Who is the narrator? • How is he involved? • What is your impression about him? • Is he objective? Emotional? • What is his reason for telling the story?
What could make a narrator unreliable? • Lying • Limited perspective • Misled in understanding • Mentally incompetent • Causes the reader to doubt the story that the narrator tells and makes us wonder what else we do not know
Is Mama unreliable or reliable? • Mama is not crazy. • Mama’s experiences outside of her hometown and with people unlike her may be limited. • Mama paints Dee in a negative light from the start. • She refers to Maggie as being “dumb,” but she also presents her in a sympathetic manner. • Mama is somewhat naïve to Dee’s situation and understands Maggie more, making it impossible for her to be completely objective.