Introduction
Thesis Statement
In Meridian, the author Alice Walker primarily uses the characters Meridian and Truman to show that while black men and women are fighting for similar rights, women are confronted with additional challenges and risks based upon their gender and sexuality.
Discussion
Overview of Similar Rights
Black men and women were both struggling for several common rights, such as the right to vote, equal education with whites, and equal public facilities and transportation. The primary cause for which both Truman and Meridian fight for is to get blacks, especially southern blacks, to register to vote. Both Truman and Meridian go together from house to house trying to get people to register to vote. By going together, they appealed to both male and female potential voters. If one could not relate to their audience, then the other might be able to base upon gender and personality differences. Also by having two people present, they presented a stronger argument to the men and women they were trying to appeal to. On a very basic level, Truman as a man somewhat provided protection for Meridian as a female.
In her novel Meridian, she used the character symbol of the woman named Meridian in order to illustrate and deliver her reforms to the readers. Meridian negotiates the tensions between the central liberatory movements of the day: civil rights, black nationalism, and feminism. On the other hand, Walker gives rise to the argument of the story through the identity of Truman who portrays the imagery of typical black male that shares the same principle of nationalist stand with Meridian (Dubey 1994 134). Truman stands out as Meridian’s counterpart in the story, wherein he even should have married Meridian but ended up with Lynn, the last foreign exchange student.
“the woman I should have married and didn’t, : her scrupulously responsive voice corrects him. “should have loved, and didn’t” she murmured (Meridian, 138)”
Truman has protected Meridian’s womanhood by the loving her and carrying out with her principle of social civil rights. They both fought for their rights not only as black but also as human beings who should also possess the privileges obtained by white individuals. On the other hand, these two black people argue on how to fight for their rights and attain equality and right treatments. With Truman expressing the method of revolution, Meridian on the other hand argues on his perspectives.
“never alone,” said Meridian. “Besides, revolution would not begin, do you think, with an act of murder – wars might begin in that way – but with teaching.
“Oh yes, teaching, “said Truman, scornfully (Meridian 192)”
Gender Issues and Sexual Burdens
On the other hand, the concept of personality differences and gender issues among black and white society emerges in the scene after Truman and Meridian have decided to “have their beautiful black babies”, comes Lynn, the white Jewish woman who became the centerpiece of Truman’s interest. Truman, despite of the civil rights that they are fighting for together with Meridian, deviated from this since his focused has been robbed by his fantasy of white woman in Lynne’s identity.
“It was strange and unfair, but the fact that he dated (white women) – and so obviously because their color made them interesting – made her ashamed, as if she were less.” (Meridian 103)
Hence, the irony of the statement sets in wherein the sexual conflict between the feminine sides, which obviously saves men’s disposition of these conditions, have greatly impacted the subjective disposition of Meridian. Considering the protective role of Truman and the side-by-side partnership they have had for the sake of their campaign, all have been altered by Truman’s deviation to their racial opponent leaving Meridian alone with the task. The tasks of black women are set aside especially if it comes in contrast with male’s sexual considerations. As with any other culture, the black gender standards are well regarded for males, unlike females, who eventually has to reconsider those left-behinds from men.
On the other hand, the assertion of African-American manhood gives him the right to the white woman’s body, because the taboo-breaking quality of interracial sex lends it an aura of political legitimacy. However, frequent Black masculinity also provides him the right to dispatch Lynne for Meridian, who is now seen as the African queen of current trends in Back liberation (Walker 1976 113; cited in Lauret 1994 131). Walker illustrate the character of Meridian in the segment,
“…all the people whoa are as alone as I am will one day gather at the river. We will watch the evening sun go down. And in the darkness maybe we will know the truth. (Meridian 220)”
As with Meridian’s symbolism in the end situation of black women, these people are frequently caught between the demands of black masculinity for the very excuse of racial elevation and female solidarity (Lauret 1994 131). The idea present in the character of Meridian lies as the main symbol of black women being discriminated not only by racial rights for being black, but also gender right, for being a woman. Alice Walker imbues to her writings the very concept of reality in terms of gender and racial issues confronted by prominent society, such as the black versus whites, the racial obligations of men and women, etc (Ayers, Edward and Bradley 1997 517). The dilemma of what side is compounded by what is some ways is the centerpiece of the novel: a discussion of the sexual politics of 1960s Black activism (Lauret 1994 131).
Walker has significantly played the parts of interracial figures and social concerns, and jived it in the context of civil rights and political affairs. Creating parallel perspectives among the disposition of African-Americans and women, which for some time was almost habitual in white feminist political discourse, has been discredited in recent years under the impact of Black feminist theory, to the point where it is now virtually taboo to make comparisons between Black and female oppression (Lauret 1994 124). From the concept of the novel, the ideas brought from the Black movement of 1960s and the social issues of black’s liberation have all contributed to the concerns of black discrimination.
Second Reconstruction Era: Pregnancy, Abortion and Rape
Walker advances Meridian to the position of symbolic mother of the African American race. Meridian and other women faced many bodily risks during the Second Reconstruction Era which men did not have to deal with, such as rape, pregnancy, and abortion. During this Era, women were fighting for their safety and protection from not only a medical perspective but also from mental and emotional perspectives. Pregnancy for any woman can be a potential health risk. These risks are mainly due to two different causes, namely medical deprivation due to racial background, and the medical side considering that pregnancy carries many signs and symptoms. Such situation is deemed crucial and requires intimate attention, especially from the side of the husband or the male (Lauret 1994 131). In Meridian’s pregnancy, she is in high-risk stage for the manifestation of increase blood pressure, conditions of extreme irritability, decreased appetite, anemia, and other health conditions that can further endanger not only her child but also her life (Ganesh 2008).
From the racial perspective, due to the wide racial constraint between black and white during 1960s to 1970s, the possibility of inappropriate medical treatment or even health care decline are present among black women, most especially if the hospital is branded for whites. Such equal opportunities and goods are one of the essential parts of Meridian’s campaign. Secondly, the medical risk of pregnancy considering the young age of Meridian (Ganesh 2008), or the very incidence of minor pregnancy among black women. Feminist movement has long considered this dilemma of minor sex involvement, and as with the case of Meridian, Mrs. Hill even monitored and required her girls to refrain from the knowledge of sexual subject (Lauret 1994 131). Complications for pregnancy arise most significantly for women bearing their pregnancy at a younger age. This can actually compromise the campaigns of Meridian, her education as well as her standing in her social career.
In addition, black community has long strived for the appropriate and equal treatment for education as those provided among whites. Hence, black people view education as an important privilege; on the other hand, this entitlement provides black women with much more dilemma. As part of the college protocol is to refrain the applications for those black mothers; hence, the turmoil for Meridian sets in wherein she has to choose between her education and her pregnancy. However, due to her pregnancy, she was forced to marry somebody who is not even her type. However, the character of Truman is able to marry somebody whom he desired and fantasized for long (Lauret 1994 132).
Considering both roles fought for the same rights, for the same principles and for the same background, still, Meridian or the black woman has ended in the clutch of bitter fate, unlike Truman, who happened to be on the same sides with Meridian, has still managed to enter his own private and preferred lifestyle. From her bitter faith of early pregnancy, she even tried to kill her own son; however, considering this psychological pressure,
“She understood, finally, that the respect she owed her life was to continue …to live it, and not to give up any particle of it, without a fight to the death, preferably not her own. And that this existence extended beyond herself to those around her because…the years in America had created them one Life. (Meridian, 200)”
Meridian chose to integrate her participation within the feminist concern of excavating the submerged layers of black maternal history. The conflict within Meridian occurred most when Truman actually married Lynn; hence, committing an interracial relationship, which considered by the white society as an abomination and source of insecurity for black women (Dubey 1994 134). The event extremely ruined Meridian, and she initiated an abortion followed by sterilization. From this point of view, the end outcome of Meridian is the ruined relationship; hence, she focused herself to other diversion, which in turn ended in her efforts to pursue her campaign for voter’s registration (Witt 1999 94). What justifies the term maternal history is the novel’s commitment to the past and to generational continuity as the necessary grounds for future development (Dubey 1994 134). The sexist tendencies are present in Truman’s attitude towards meridian wherein she sees her as sexual object for the purpose of having his beautiful black babies. Aside from the bitter fate of Meridian due to her failed motherhood career with his husband Eddie, whom she divorced after she experienced psychological torture due to her condition (Lauret 1994 131). Abortion is even more of a health risk, especially during the 1960s and 1970s when this method was not very medically sophisticated. When Meridian has her abortion performed by the Saxon College doctor, he does not use any anesthetic (p.119).
As Meridian suffers through a painful abortion, it is Truman who enjoys the comforts of his white woman, Lynne. In a symbolic significance, Meridian repels all the natural facets that give definition to her self-determination. Rape can lead to health risks, such as pregnancy, but also sexually transmitted diseases and emotional scarring. During 1960s and 1970s, white teenage pregnancy has become significantly higher as compared to black. The social stigma associated with an out-of-wedlock birth for teenager was powerful during the 1960s but has diminished greatly during 1980s. In addition, abortion during this period has been very different from the current technology wherein pain relievers are not provided, and quite radical methodologies are implemented. Hence, for the case of Meridian, she endured the painful process of having her abortion as well as sterilization in the most painful means possible (Nelson 2003 18).
Women also face familial risks which men do not. Meridian’s mother became pregnant despite not wanting any children. She decided to raise her children because in her mind she did not have a choice in doing so. When Meridian became pregnant the first time, she decided to have the child and attempted to raise him. However, she was faced with the choice of going to Saxon College to pursue her dreams and try to make something of her life or remaining at home and raising a child that she did not even want. Meridian often thought about murdering her child. When Meridian decided to give up her son, she also gave up her relationship with her mother. In giving up her son, having an abortion, and having her tubes tied, Meridian gave up motherhood. However, throughout the novel, Meridian shows maternal characteristics. She is motherly to Lynne, the family at the end of the novel, Wile Chile, etc.
These unfortunate casualties that obtain women as the primary victims have been occurring more reasonably justified by the biological angles of those individuals being involved. From this second reconstruction era, the events of frequent teen pregnancy have become more prominent in whites than in black; however, the binding aspect is their biological similarities; they are both females. However, being female and being dominated by the male manhood, females do not obtain the most appropriate will to fight the sexual interests of men (Nelson 2003 18). Considering that in this very point, the baby bloom has also occurred and the societal norms have only been starting its transition from female gender bias to their right provision. Much of the society’s norms about women in this age are baby makers, which gained unfavorable remarks for female gender, most especially to the feminist movement.
As far as the novel and reality of black social community is concerned, the women of their community have been subjected to change due to societal pressure and perspectives that are not present in these African black women. In the story’s example, Meridian and Truman, both engaged in the arguments of political civil rights during the eruption of cold war (Lauret 1994 125). However, Meridian, in the end, is the one who carried most of the risks and burden, unlike Truman, who have been attached to Lynne during the times of Meridian’s unbearable scenario.
From this perspective, Walker was able to establish the necessary figures in order to demonstrate how black women ends up with prominent obligation that the opposite black gender (Witt 1999 94). The subjectivity present among these black women, the racial perspectives reigning within the society of black and white people, and the racial discrepancy present even among civil rights movements, all have contributed to the task of illustrating the condition of the black women in their community. Walker did not incorporated this scenario just to portray a relationship dilemma but rather, digging it up in the deeper sense, institute the realities occurring among black women.
In the case of Meridian, despite the fact of her pregnancy and her intimate affection towards Truman, she was still turned down leaving the obligation of the child and pregnancy assistance all by her own hands. Out of frustration and desperate accounts, she resorted to abortion and sterilization due to her subjective mind. Therefore, such case can be considered as the additional risks and challenges confronted by black women among their own society (Lauret 1994 125). Perhaps the greatest risk women faced were societal risks. Women were not only criticized, either positively or negatively, from the white community but also from their own black community. Even the doctor who performed Meridian’s abortion disapproved.
Conclusion
To answer the thesis statement, the risks and sacrifices that black women (Meridian) encounters despite of the same ground with Truman, is her extreme efforts of marrying somebody she does not prefer, her struggle for her teen pregnancy (Truman considers Meridian as suitable tool for making his beautiful black babies), and her struggle in loneliness and solidarity. On the other hand, Truman, who was also fighting for the same rights as for Meridian, still get to experience life with his fantasy white woman, Lynne, and a life free from pain. As for Meridian and Truman, the symbolical characters of the novel in terms of gender roles and obligations provided by Walker, both of them did carried the cross of developing their community; however, the risks that black women, such as Meridian, play in the novel incline mostly on the personal aspect wherein they are at risk of being lonely, or having their own diversion that sometimes end in the deprivation of their personal life interest. These two genders both have the same standing ground and things to fight for, yet Meridian suffered more than Truman.
Works Cited
Ayers, Edward L., and Bradley C. Mittendorf. The Oxford Book of the American South: Testimony, Memory, and Fiction. Oxford University Press, 1997.
Dubey, Madhu. Black Women Novelists and the Nationalist Aesthetic. Indiana University Press, 1994.
Ganesh, Dangal. “High-risk Pregnancy.” Internet Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics 8.2 (2008): 2.
Lauret, Maria. Liberating Literature: Feminist Fiction in America. Routledge, 1994.
Nelson, Jennifer. Women of Color and the Reproductive Rights Movement. NYU Press, 2003.
Witt, Doris. Black Hunger: Food and the Politics of U.S. Identity. Oxford University Press, 1999.
