Literary Devices
The main character thinks of hand cuffs, chains, and ropes as symbolizing what?
(Do Not Use the Story)
The groom's religion
What state is the author from?
Georgia
What aspects of the author are able to be seen in the narrator?
The speaker is an African American girl like the author who is experiencing struggles racial and religious struggles.
Name the major theme in this novel
Alienation or Isolation
Name 3 Literary Devices in the Short Story
(You Can Use the Story)
Imagery & Metaphors & Symbols & Similes
What was her most famous novel about?
The treatment of African American Women
What point of view is this short story told in?
Third Person Limited
What is the main cause for her alienation and isolation throughout the short story?
The difference in her and her groom's religion.
What does Roselily's husband's stiff suit symbolize?
(You Can Use the Story
The husband’s stiff suit represents his rigid views on life and religion.
Why did Alice Walker move to Mississippi?
To become involved in the Civil Rights Movement
Describe the narrator
An African American Girl. The author was not the speaker, but she was reflecting on the experience of many African Americans.
Why do you think the author chose to make the theme of the novel what she did?
She wanted to show the experiences of Southern African American women who during the time were marrying people who have different religions or live in Northern US.
How does the imagery concerning Islam and Chicago reflect Roselily’s fears about her marriage?
(You Can Use the Story)
Roselily views her husband’s religion as oppressive, with lots of chains and veils described every time his beliefs are brought up. Additionally, the dirtiness and pollution of Chicago is described, representing her disgust and distaste for the big city.
Why was Alice Walker's marriage a milestone historically?
It was the first interracial marriage in America
What is the main conflict in this short story?
The difference in religion between the people getting married and tension between Northern and Southern African Americans for Black American identity and agency.
Identify one quote that demostrates the theme of the short story
Many Answer (Will Decide Based on Quote Chosen)
Ex. "His place of worship. Where she will
be required to sit apart with covered head" (Walker 4).
How is Juxtaposition used in this short story?
(You Can Use the Story)
The contrast between the wedding vows, which are well known to everyone and Roselily’s inner turmoil, which is known only to herself. The vows are rigid and filled with certainty and longevity, while Roselily is full of doubt.
Name one of the two colleges she went to
Spelman College and Sarah Lawrence College
Why do you think the narrator's name and the title of the short story is Roselily?
HINT: Split Up the Name
The (red) rose and is associated with love, passion, blood, life, and maturity. The rose is almost representative of the marriage. The lily is associated with death, sterility, purity. The lily represents the narrator's inner turmoil about the marriage.
(Many different answers)
How many children does she have and how does this contribute to the theme?
She has four children, and this contributes to the theme because the amount of work it requires to raise them adds to the isolation she feels.