Meet Alice Walker Ms. De La O English 9

The Humble Beginnings Born Feb. 9th, 1944 in Eatonton, Georgia. 1952—blinded by a BB shot by one of her brothers. Begins writing stories and poems as a way of dealing with her eye 1960 she graduates valedictorian from her high school, most popular girl in class, and prom queen. sharecropper parents (one of 9 children) This incident while physically traumatizing—also emotionally traumatizes her for life and she writes about it frequently. 1958 she visits her brother and his wife in Boston, MA. She has a cataract removed along with most of the scar tissue and she is given a fake eye which makes her look more normal.

Campus Activism 101 1961 attends Spelman College World Peace conference in Helsinki, Finland March on Washington Sarah Lawrence college in New York City. Liberty County, Georgia the famous African-American college for women (too nice and proper without the political issues and consciousness she craves in a changing world) helped to initiate the welfare rights movement, and went door to door to registering voters in the African-American community

Married Life Awarded her first writing grant in 1966. Married Melvyn Leventhal in 1967 She had wanted to go to Africa to write, but decided against it and went down to Mississippi. became the first interracial legally married couple in Mississippi.

Writing As A Young Wife 1968-Once “To Hell with Dying” (Short Story) 1972-Revolutionary Petunias and Other Poems 1974-Langston Hughes: American Poet First book of poetry that she had begun in college was finally published a reader whose intention was to teach children about the legendary Harlem Renaissance Poet.

Moving to New York 1976- Moved to New York City with her husband and her daughter Worked part-time for a magazine and dedicated the remainder of her time to her writing. Meridan a novel that was highly critically acclaimed about women in the civil rights movement.

Hard times for Walker (1977) Husband asks for a divorce Father passed away Good Night Willie Lee, I'll See You in the Morning.

New Beginnings Moved to San Francisco, CA. Renewed her long-time friendship with Robert Allen Mendocino The Color Purple "Black Folks English.” received criticism from some in the African-American community Pulitzer Prize not a beneficial for the growth of her characters. who thought her novel portrayed black men in negative

The Flowers Setting Direct and Indirect Characterization Irony External Conflict Foreshadowing Trait Symbolism