The Character of Dee in Alice Walkers Everyday Use Essay -- Alice Wal

The Character of Dee in Alice handcarts general UseAlice Walker skillfully crafts the character of Dee Johnson in the short floor Everyday Use. From the first paragraph, Walker begins to weave the portrait of Dee, who at first seems shallow in many aspects. Dee becomes a more complex character, however, as the bol hotshoty unfolds. Blessed with both brains and good looks, Dee emerges as someone who is still struggling with her identity and heritage. Dees physical beauty can be defined as one of her biggest assets. The fact that Maggie sees Dee with a mixture of envy and awe (409) cues the reader to Dees favorable appearance. The simplistic way in which Walker states that Dee is lighter than Maggie, with nicer hair and a heavy figure (410) gives the reader the idea that Dees beauty has made it easier for her to be accepted outside her family in society. We are left with the impression that Dees appearance is above average. Walker plays on Dees physical beauty to contra st the homeliness of Maggie and her mother. Walker goes so far as to describe her feet as always neat-looking, as if God himself had shaped them with a certain style (411). In describing Dees feet, Walker is giving the impression of perfection from head to toe. Dees outward beauty has made her transition from poor give rise girl to that of an educated, middle-class black woman possible (Allen-Polley 11). Needless to say, Dee doesnt seem comfortable with her past and therefore has a difficult time accepting her future. It is as though she is not really connected with her family anymore. She simply needs them to fulfill their positions in her recreated past. Dees motivation in returning home seems to be not skilful seeing her family ... ...ng part of ones life. The character of Dee has many facets. She is blessed with good looks and a strong desire to succeed, but her blind and self-serving desire for success does hamper how she perceives her past and her heritage. By hiding everything above the tip of her nose and her chin (415), she deftly manages to disguise herself from anyone who might discover true ancestry. She refuses to accept her past as it really happened. She wants to be able to create the images to her liking. The past is something that cannot be recreated to suit our new ideas, however It is a part of us that cannot be changed. Sources Allen-Polley, Kathryn. Dees Heritage. Ode to Friendship. Ed. Connie Bellamy. Virginia Wesleyan College, 1998. Walker, Alice. Everyday Use. Harper Anthology of Fiction. Ed. Sylvan Barnet. New York Harper Collins, 1991.

Best Evidence :: essays research papers

There are archetypal patterns in life. They reoccur and become familiar to people through every(prenominal) ages and ethnicities. Throughout history, few literary works have captivated audiences by incorporating these patterns. The epic Beowulf is one literary work that effectively incorporates timeless components. The epic verse form relates the tale of Beowulf, a warrior who throughout his life overcomes evils. It has strong elements of Anglo-Saxon elements of bravery, strength and of religious tenets. Beowulf enjoys universal appeal primarily because of its elements of characterization, plot and theme that prove timeless. Beowulfs portrayal of human nature proves eternal. The protagonist Beowulf brashly lists his accomplishments before entering battle "But the truth is simple no man swims in the ocean as I can, no strength is a match for mine other monsters crowded around me, continually attacking. I treated them politely, offering the butt on of my razor-sharp sword," (265-294). His boasts are symbolic of his personal insecurity. Beowulf seems scared of defeat and faliure. His boastful remarks are reminders to himself of his invincibility. Because he is insecure, Beowulf is an accurate representation of human nature. The poem also discloses affable behaviors through Welthow, who portrays appropriate submissiveness of a wife. Women in society and position always are hot topics for discussion in any country and time period. She is submissive to her husband and " pours a portion from the jeweled cup for each, till she had carried the mead-cup among the guests," (354-372). Jealousy is a accurately portrayed in the poem. is a human attribute that will apply to any time period anywhere. In the incident with Unferth, for example "angry that anyone in Denmark or anywhere on earth had ever acquired triumph and fame greater than his own"(236-238) tries to belittle Beowulfs claims to bravery, and, by doing so, adds realistic qualities to his character. Belief Divine or supernatural notions are also tendencies of human nature. The poem reflects this permanent concern through references to "that Shepherd of Evil" (432) and "sacrifices to the old stone gods" (90). These are both conflicting allusions to the two prominent religions of the time. One pertains to Christian ideology i.e. "The churchman God" (493), and "the Almighty making the earth" (8), and the other relates to Anglo Saxon religious beliefs i.e., "the omens were good" (118) and "fate will unwind as it must," (189). The poem alludes to Christianity, a monotheistic religion that rejects ideas of fate.

Peer Pressure and Drinking Essay -- Peer Pressure Essays

High school is normally the time when teenagers begin to dabble in the world of alcohol to disc all over their limits and develop habits and this experimentation carries over into college. That is the norm and its not a bad thing, but of course there are a few exceptions. In high school I neer went to a single party, was neer invited to one, and barely ever even heard about them. It was something that none of my close friends were a part of and the thought of drinking never really crossed my mind. I was so busy with my school work, my job, and the cross country team that I didnt have much spare time, and when I did I wanted to relax and hang out with my friends. My parents raised me in the faith of the Catholic Church and this background gave me a strong moral base. I always laugh and I have fun doing the simplest things so it was easy for me to find activities to be a part of besides drinking. It was only the summer after high school graduation that I began to feel peer pre ssured to drink and the fact that I am always sober started to ingest me feel a bit isolated.When high school began, none of my close friends had ever drunk alcohol or had any interest in it, but as long time went by, more and more of them began to try alcohol. Drinking is a personal choice and I had no problem with them experimenting, but by the end of my senior division some of my friends began to try and convince me to try it myself. Everyone knew that I am conservative when it comes to that sort of thing and people joked about me going crazy once I got to college and was no longer governed by my parents strict rules. Unbeknownst to them, this kind of talk repeated over and over, though I always denied it, began to be me feel curious. However I couldn... ...ound. So I always try to make everyone feel included, although I am still one of the more sedate people in the world. Lastly, my parents have taught me to work hard for the rewards that I gain. This has always been a major driving factor in my desire to do healthful with my schoolwork and in sports. I know that if I work hard enough I can do well and if I dont get the results I want, it is no ones fault except my own. With regards to drinking, I know that my parents would have been disappointed in me if I made the finis to start drinking in high school. When I take into account all the wonderful lessons they have taught me and all the love they have given me, it never made sense to make them unnecessarily upset. As clich as these things sound, I honestly know that these morals have helped guide me through my life and helped me make the best decisions I could.

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