WOMEN BY ALICE WALKER ACTIVITY

QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the structure of the poem.

“Women” by Alice Walker is only comprised of just a single stanza to express the author’s
thoughts about her mother’s generation, their characteristics, and views about education. It
is composed of twenty-seven lines that are no more than four words long, and some are
even just a single syllable or word. The only punctuation marks found in the poem consist of
one hyphen, dash, and a period utilized, unlike other poems. Women follow no definite
rhythm, meter, and rhyme scheme except for the emphasis of some words to relay the
message or theme of the poem its author wants to convey.

2. What type of poem is Women by Alice Walker?

The piece is a free verse poem as it does not consist of a rhyme scheme, metrical pattern,
and rhythm, unlike other types of poetry, which have one and follow a definite form. It is only
a single with varying lengths of syllables and meter telling a single thought.

3. What is the tone used?

The tone of the poem that the author used is a combination of respect, admiration, and awe
concerning the women she describes. This generation of women looks fierce on the
outside, but they also have a sift and kind heart. Also, even if they did not have the
opportunity to attend or go to school and be educated, they know that education is
important for their children and future.

4. What is the poem all about? Write a short analysis.

The poem tackles the suffering, injustice, and inequality that African-American women had
to experience before. It brings light to the sacrifices that these women made to assure that
the next generation, which is their children, will have better opportunities and education
given to them amid our society’s discrimination. The author describes these women as
having qualities not only particularity found in men but also women in general,
characteristics like how they are tough and strong with a woman’s touch and motherly love.
They have endured and overcome many adversities for the betterment of their lives,
especially their children.

5. What are some sacrifices that mothers make for their children nowadays?
The famous saying that goes “parents only want what is best for their children” is not new,
and this poem shows their one ding support and ideals for their children. Sacrifice ate
inevitable in our lives, and as described in the poem, our mothers have done many things
for us. Mothers sacrifice their lives and career for their children they choose to take care of
us, instead of continuing their path as an individual and a woman. They always put their
child or children first before themselves and gives the things that we want to the best of their
capabilities. They provide for their family in their own ways, and some even stake the
chances of working abroad; starting from the time we were still on their wombs, they have
already sacrificed their lives for the sake of their children and their future.

6. How does education open up more opportunities for people?

When a person does not have any type of education, informal or formal, it does not mean
that the doors of opportunities are already closed for them. However, a person that is
educated will have better opportunities and chances s/he can experience or achieve with
education privileges. When we acquire education, we learn about the ways of life and how it
 works and be competent or skill full. We are not only onlookers of how it changes and
develops, but we participate in the reformations for ourselves, others, and the society itself.
We learn to take advantage and grab the opportunities that lie in front and ahead of us to
make a better world as a human race.

7. What does it mean to be a strong woman?

A strong woman is someone who is holistically abled and equipped. She is an individual
that does not let the harsh judgments of others trample her identity, dreams, and aspirations
as a woman, individual, and part of society. She is both beautiful inside and out, no matter
what people say, do, or what the societal standards of beauty dictates. She fights for her
rights, freedom, and individuality. A strong woman is a being that confidently loves herself
and speaks for herself with empathy for others and the world.