The Flowers, Alice Walker: Summary & Analysis

‘The Flowers’ is a poignant and evocative 1973 short story penned by Alice Walker. Although it spans just two pages and contains fewer than 600 words, the story can be classified as a prime example of flash fiction or micro-fiction. Within its concise narrative, it recounts the discovery of a tragic event by a ten-year-old African-American girl while she innocently picks flowers in the Deep South of America. Plot Summary Meet Myop, the Young Protagonist The tale revolves around Myop, a spirited ten-year-old girl residing in the Deep South of the United States. The story unfolds in late summer, when Myop roams the surroundings of her family's abode to gather vibrant flowers. It is revealed that her family, like many others in the region, are sharecroppers—tenants allowed to cultivate a piece of land in exchange for a share of the harvest. This system emerged following the American Civil War, with numerous freed African-American slaves becoming sharecroppers to sustain their livelihoo…