Dustin Breitner
Alice Walker uses stories from the past to show parallels with Meridian’s life and to portray Meridian’s true character. The Wild Child shows Meridians affectionate personality while depicting Meridian’s unexpected impregnation. Wile Chile is a young, homeless girl who does not have a family and is mentally unstable. She hangs around Saxon college going through garbage cans looking for food and dragging off pieces of furniture. Meridian sees Wile Chile and immediately tries to capture her because Meridian believes she has a responsibility to help such a hopeless individual. As a young girl Wile Chile became pregnant just as Meridian did. During high school, Meridian was ill advised and had a baby boy. This similarity forces Meridian to feel more obliged to Wile Chile because she is pregnant and Meridian can sympathize more towards her. Meridian allows Wile Chile to live with herself and her peers only before the “Wild Child escaped. Running heavily across a street, her stomach the largest part of her, she was hit by a speeder and killed.” (Walker 25) Killed by a car, Wile Chile represents a hardship Meridian endured. This episode in Meridian’s life makes Meridian unemotional and stronger towards future hardships.
“Have You Stolen Anything” (Walker 40) shows the true emotions Meridian’s mother felt about having children. Meridian’s mother was a married schoolteacher. Walker states “she was capable of thought and growth and action only if unfettered by the needs of dependents, or the demands, requirements, of a husband.” (Walker 40) Meridian’s mother is a capable, strong woman. Meridian’s mother is similar to Meridian in the sense that both desire a strong passion. Walker states, “she wanted more of life to happen to her” (Walker 41) Meridian’s mother decided to take the path of children while Meridian became a strong voice in the progress of racial equalities. Meridian’s mother regrets having children because it hindered her from living her own life. Mothers must devote their lives to their children in order to be a great mother. Meridian’s mom did not want her life to be her children. Walker states, “When her mother asked, without glancing at her, “Have you stolen anything?” a stillness fell over Meridian and for seconds she could not move. The question literally stopped her in her tracks”. (Walker 43) Meridian understood that her mother blamed her for her loss of serenity, and the destruction of her emerging self. These devastating thoughts form Meridian’s personality today. Unemotional and strong, Meridian is able to overcome future hardships from her pasts difficulties.
Walker, Alice. Meridian. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1976. Print.
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