This term paper aims at finding parallels by comparing the two short stories ‘’Everyday Use’’ by Alice Walker and ‘’The Storyteller’’ by Leslie Marmon Silko in a way that will prove that in both texts simple traditions generate a sense of community, amount to essential elements of cultural heritage and develop ‘homeplaces’ into sites of resistance aspiring to cultural survival of heritage and the community values.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theory Part
3. Comparative Analysis of ‘‘The Storyteller’’ and ‘‘Everyday Use’’
3.1. ‘Homeplace’
3.2. Community
3.3. Cultural Survival
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
6. Appendix
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This term paper explores the parallels between Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" and Leslie Marmon Silko's "The Storyteller," examining how inherited traditions serve as essential components of cultural heritage, communal identity, and sites of resistance against external pressures.
- Theoretical concepts of "Home" in American feminist scholarship.
- The role of traditions (quilting and storytelling) in community building.
- Cultural heritage as a means of survival and self-identification.
- The "homeplace" as a private sphere of resistance against oppression.
- Comparative analysis of how gender, race, and identity intersect with domestic traditions.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. ‘Homeplace’
When we compare ‘’Everyday Use’’ on the one hand and ‘’The Storyteller’’ on the other hand some parallels can be encountered concerning the ‘homeplace’.
First and foremost the ‘home’ in ‘’The Storyteller’’ is not a traditional home with mother or a household, as it can be found in ‘’Everyday Use’’ but rather defined through the Inuit culture and traditions. ‘At Home’ is a geographical and cultural element, since the big theme of this short story is colonization and therefore the clash of two completely different cultures, namely the Alaskan culture withering under the pressure and massive disturbance of the ‘’Gussucks’’, who wish to exploit the indigenous peoples land. The young Inuit girl’s ‘homeplace’ is therefore shaped by the territory she lives on, the food she eats and the nature surrounding her and most importantly the tradition of telling stories. In the beginning this is done by the old man. The place where these stories are told is the private sphere, most probably because it is seen as a place of security like also stated by Bell Hooks. Such a place can serve as a retreat which enables community members to live their culture without disturbances from the outside world (cf. course script).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the research topic of cultural resistance and defines the scope of comparing short stories by Alice Walker and Leslie Marmon Silko.
2. Theory Part: Discusses various feminist concepts of "home" and "homeplace," referencing authors like Betty Friedan, Virginia Woolf, Mohanty, and Bell Hooks.
3. Comparative Analysis of ‘‘The Storyteller’’ and ‘‘Everyday Use’’: Investigates similarities regarding the significance of the home environment, communal activities, and survival strategies.
3.1. ‘Homeplace’: Analyzes how the physical and metaphorical home serves as a site of resistance and security for the characters.
3.2. Community: Explores how the traditions of quilting and oral storytelling solidify community bonds and provide a sense of identity.
3.3. Cultural Survival: Examines the vital necessity of preserving cultural heritage through narrative and craftsmanship as a strategy for survival.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, confirming that both stories share significant parallels in their focus on tradition as a cornerstone of cultural persistence.
5. Bibliography: Lists the primary and secondary literary sources used throughout the paper.
6. Appendix: Provides visual documentation in the form of images relevant to the discussed cultural artifacts.
Keywords
Alice Walker, Leslie Marmon Silko, Homeplace, Cultural Heritage, Resistance, Feminism, Inuit culture, African American literature, Quilting, Storytelling, Identity, Tradition, Community, Colonialism, Cultural survival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this term paper?
The paper examines the intersection of culture, community, and domestic space in the works "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker and "The Storyteller" by Leslie Marmon Silko, specifically focusing on how these narratives function as sites of resistance.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The central themes include the meaning of "homeplace," the function of communal traditions, cultural heritage, and the role of identity in the face of societal challenges.
What is the main goal of the research?
The goal is to prove that despite different cultural backgrounds, both short stories reveal how simple traditions develop "homeplaces" into spaces of resistance that ensure cultural survival.
Which theoretical methods are applied?
The author applies feminist scholarship, specifically referencing concepts of home and identity from theorists such as Bell Hooks, Betty Friedan, and Virginia Woolf.
What is covered in the main section?
The main section consists of a detailed comparative analysis categorized into three sub-themes: the significance of the "homeplace," the power of community-building activities, and the strategy of cultural survival.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include "Homeplace," "Cultural Heritage," "Resistance," "Quilting," "Storytelling," and "Feminist Identity."
How does the author interpret the concept of "homeplace" for Inuit characters versus African American characters?
The author notes that for Inuit characters in Silko's work, home is tied to territory and oral traditions, whereas for characters in Walker's story, it is rooted in domestic traditions like quilting and maternal legacies.
What role does the "story" play in Silko's "The Storyteller"?
The act of storytelling is described as a necessity for survival; the protagonist must tell the "true" story of her parents' death to define herself and protect the cultural truth of her people.
Why are the quilts significant in "Everyday Use"?
The quilts are analyzed as symbols of creative legacy and African American identity, representing a link between past generations and the present.
What is the significance of the "homeplace" as a site of resistance?
Based on Bell Hooks' theory, the "homeplace" is viewed as a refuge where marginalized communities can heal from racism and nurture their spirits away from external political and social pressure.
- Citation du texte
- Mag. Katharina Kirchmayer (Auteur), 2010, Sites of Resistance in Alice Walker and Leslie Silko , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/152075
