Alice Walker's Fiction: The Black Womanist Perspective

Alice Walker’s fiction reveals a deeply personal exploration of the African American psyche, an exploration that is rooted in her “womanist” philosophy. This book interrogates the nature of reality as seen through the lens of African American women and men. History, both personal and racial, informs the narratives of Walker’s fiction; her work repeatedly depicts the struggle of the black woman against forces that subjugate her, forces that are rendered powerful because they are often backed by political authority. The book takes a look at Walker’s women characters who dare to strike discordant notes in their journey towards survival and self-realization. These women assert their womanist perspective - a unique perspective that is at once insightful, introspective, perceptive, and celebratory.