Alice Walker’s short story,
‘Roselily’, is the opening tale of her collection
In Love & Trouble: Stories of Black Women (1973). It narrates the emotional struggles of a young black woman on her wedding day, conflicted about the new life awaiting her as she prepares to leave her children and move north from her Mississippi home. Through the ceremony, Walker reveals the depths of Roselily’s thoughts, reflecting on themes of societal pressure, religious obligations, and gender roles that impact black women.
Summary of ‘Roselily’
The Wedding and Structure of the Story
- The story follows Roselily, an African-American woman, as she marries a man from the northern states. Walker uses a unique narrative style by alternating between the preacher’s words (in italics) and Roselily’s inner thoughts, capturing her doubts and apprehensions about marriage.
- Her husband, who hails from the north and holds different religious beliefs, plans to move her to Chicago. Unlike her Christian family, he appears to follow a different faith, possibly Islam, which adds tension due to their cultural and religious differences.
Roselily’s Past and Present Conflicts
- Roselily reflects on her challenging past and the children she has borne. She’s had four children, one of whom lives with his father, a Harvard-educated man who left her due to perceived social and educational differences.
- This man, who took their child to New England, left a lasting impression on Roselily. She hopes her son grows up with strength and resilience, unlike his father, who couldn’t stay in the south with her.
Apprehensions about Her Husband and Future Life
- As she stands in the ceremony, Roselily realizes how ‘closed off’ her future husband seems. His stiff suit and the expectations of his faith symbolize restraint and lack of freedom for her. She anticipates that in Chicago, she’ll be expected to cover her head, disconnecting further from her past life and family.
- She grapples with the feeling of being isolated even from her children, acknowledging the physical and emotional separation that marriage will bring.
Analysis of ‘Roselily’
Symbolism in Roselily’s Name
- Walker cleverly employs symbolism in Roselily’s name. ‘Rose’ hints at her passionate, sensual past, where she experienced life and motherhood, while ‘lily’ suggests purity, reflecting her desire for respectability and stability.
- The contrast of ‘rose’ and ‘lily’ embodies her internal conflict: balancing her sensual, independent self with societal expectations of purity and virtue.
Themes Explored in ‘Roselily’
- Social and Economic Pressures: The story highlights Roselily’s choice between financial stability through marriage and maintaining her independence.
- Religious and Cultural Tensions: Her husband’s religious practices are alien to her, symbolizing not only her adjustment to new faith-based expectations but also her sense of losing a part of her identity.
- Gender Roles: Roselily’s conflict illustrates the role society expects women to play—leaving behind personal freedom for the responsibilities of marriage and motherhood.
Narrative Style and Technique
Walker's Use of Free Indirect Discourse
- Walker uses a third-person omniscient narrator, diving into Roselily’s mind through free indirect discourse. This technique merges the narrator’s voice with Roselily’s thoughts, conveying her anxieties about leaving her community and facing future challenges.
- Moments of free indirect discourse reveal her excitement and trepidation, such as exclamations like ‘A new life!’ or questions like ‘Full of what? Babies’, which echo her inner doubts about moving forward.
Final Thoughts on ‘Roselily’
Open-Ended Conclusion
- The story ends with Roselily’s unresolved internal conflict, leaving readers wondering about her future and the potential challenges she may face in Chicago. Through this ambiguity, Walker emphasizes how marriage can be a double-edged sword, promising security but also requiring sacrifices.
- Roselily’s journey represents a broader theme in Walker’s work—the struggle for black women to balance personal identity with societal expectations, often making challenging decisions in the quest for a better life.
In essence, Alice Walker’s ‘Roselily’ is a profound exploration of the complex realities faced by black women navigating societal expectations, personal dreams, and cultural identities. By leaving Roselily’s future open to interpretation, Walker allows readers to empathize with her, understanding the weight of the decisions and compromises she must make in pursuit of respectability and stability.
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