Dustin Breitner
During the 20th century, African Americans faced harsh repression and violence in the segregated South. Growing up in the south, Meridian encountered many unfavorable situations and outcomes. Through these experiences, Meridian found her ultimate purpose and identity. At an early age Meridian became obsessed with the idea of finding meaning in her life. She may have not known it at the time, but she always needed something to strive for and continued until she found it.
Through the use of symbolic metaphors, Walker, demonstrates Meridian’s need for a purpose. Meridian at an early age finds a gold rock, which she believes is gold but her family knows otherwise and degrades the rocks meaning. Meridian thought she find something significant, therefore she cared about it but once she realized no one else saw its meaning, she moved on from it. At a young age, Meridian is consumed with finding a meaningful purpose.
Meridian has her own ideals and believes. Walker states “Meridian was reciting a speech that extolled the virtues of the constitution and praised the superiority of The American Way of Life…She stumbled then was silent on stage…She covered her hands and had to be led away…For the first time she (Meridian) really listened to what she was saying, knew she didn’t believe it, and was so distracted by this revelation that she could not make the rest of her speech.” (Walker 126) At a young age, Meridian shows the reader her true character. Meridian must believe very strongly about an idea or movement, or she will not let herself continue preaching it. Meridian shows the need for her own ideals and thoughts. This wanting for her own beliefs shows Meridian’s true need for her own identity.
Through the hardship and experience, Meridian finds her true purpose and identity. Throughout ones life he or she is searching for a purpose and an identity. A purpose is defined as the reason for which something exists or is done, made, or used. (Dictionary.com) Meridian’s purpose was to speak for and act for African American individuals who could not stand up to the white supremacist south for themselves. An identity is defined as the condition of being oneself or itself, and not another. (Dictionary.com) Meridian’s true identity is her feeling of loneliness, which perpetuates a feeling of death. Meridian strong sense of death allows her to brave and fearless. Through Meridian’s purpose and identity, she was able to make a significant difference in the civil rights movement.
Walker, Alice. Meridan. S.l.: Pocket Bks, 1976. Print.