| Abstract | Alice Walker, one of the most prominent African American writers, created a great variety of characters in her rich opus. Among them, some of the most notable ones are the characters of black women who experience a life marked by discrimination, violence, and prejudice, starting already in their childhood. Oppression is present in various forms, in every aspect of their lives, and they are forced to deal daily with sexism and racism, especially those women who come from the Southern society. As a result of patriarchy, they are left with insecurities about their own bodies and minds, and a constant fear caused by male authority. Walker creates female characters who emerge from this kind of environment, but are aware of the injustice and gradually become strong individuals, discovering their own identity along the way, and liberating themselves from the oppressor. She explores various topics and situations, and the main idea remains the same: the idea of emancipation and freedom of black women. With that in mind, she has created powerful characters and works that are valuable pieces of African American contemporary literature. |
