‘The Flowers’ is a short story by Alice Walker that
explores a young girl named Myop’s time as a child ending when she discovers the body of a violently murdered man
. This story’s setting is during the summer on a sharecropper’s farm, placing it after the American Civil War.
Why did Alice Walker write the flowers?
Alice Walker wrote “The Flowers”
to express how quickly one can lose their innocent outlook on life
.
What does MYOP mean in the flowers?
Myop begins as an innocent girl who is naïve to her surroundings, and this could be related to her name. It is short for “
myopia
,” which is a term used to describe near- sightedness.
What is the significance of the flower imagery in the story?
Alice Walker uses imagery and diction throughout her short story to tell the reader the meaning of “The Flowers”. The meaning
of innocence lost and people growing up being changed by the harshness of reality
. The author is able to use the imagery to show the difference between innocence and the loss of it.
What is the theme of Alice Walker’s shortest short story?
The Flowers By Alice Walker
The main theme of this short story is
the fall from innocence
. Myop, a child, has lived a sheltered life in the idyllic “garden” of her home. As summer ends and fall comes, every day seems to her…
How did MYOP lose her innocence?
Myop loses her innocence in this moment because
she is literally and symbolically being forced to face the past of her ancestors
. She is staring at the corpse of man who was lynched because of his skin color; the same skin color Myop has.
What flowers represent death?
- Black Rose. The black rose is actually an extreme shade of purple or red. …
- Chrysanthemum. This ancient flower is traditionally viewed as a death flower. …
- Red Poppy. Red poppies are the flower of remembrance of Veterans. …
- Yellow Flowers Meaning Death. …
- Dried White Rose.
What do the flowers symbolize?
It symbolizes
refinement, thoughtfulness and mature charm
. It also symbolizes proud and glorious femininity. STOCK: symbolizes lasting beauty and a happy life. It is indicative of bonds of affection and is symbolic of promptness.
Why was the story entitled The flowers?
The inclusion of flowers in the title is the
first suggestion of their importance
. Myop walks through the fields, woods, and all sorts of natural areas going her own way. She collects flowers as she goes. Flowers are often a symbol of youth and vitality as they flourish in spring.
What is the tone of the flowers by Alice Walker?
The tone is
lighthearted at first when Myop is
shown to be playing, but changes to a slightly darker tone when the body is found. There is a subtle mature tone near the end once the body is found. The author makes the sentences have a happy, upbeat feel a kid would have with words such as golden, warm, and silver.
What is the point of view in flowers?
Point of View
The Flowers is
a very short story written in the third person
. Due to the youth of the Myop, the reader is able to see the world through the innocent eyes of the child.
What type of character is MYOP?
Myop. An
innocent, ten-year-old black girl
at the start of the story, enjoying a walk and gathering flowers on a nice day. She has no cares in the world and is happy. She discovers a dead man and is unafraid.
Who is the antagonist in the flowers?
Michelle Kaufman, M.A.
Racism
is the antagonist , the opposing force, in Alice Walker’s “The Flowers.” Myop begins the story as a carefree, cheerful young lady. Overall, she appears innocent and lighthearted as she goes for a walk by a nearby spring.
Is MYOP black?
We are explicitly told that Myop has “dark brown” skin. While the dead man she stumbles upon has seemingly no skin left to comment upon, the importance of this discovery to Myop implies immediately that
this is a black man
.
What is the theme of MYOP?
The main theme of this short story is
the fall from innocence
. Myop, a child, has lived a sheltered life in the idyllic “garden” of her home. As summer ends and fall comes, every day seems to her like a “golden surprise” as she explores the stream near her home or gathers nuts in the woods with her mother.
What’s the meaning of theme in literature?
A literary theme is
the main idea or underlying meaning a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work
. The theme of a story can be conveyed using characters, setting, dialogue, plot, or a combination of all of these elements.
