ALICE WALKER
“AM I BLUE?”
CHARACTERS
“Am I Blue?” uses animal images to create a comparative analysis of human emotions.
Alice Walker emphasizes the obvious similarities between people and animals, as well as pressing
issues such as racism, identity, and inequality. Furthermore, by presenting a full account of
emotions and feelings experienced by the white large horse named Blue, the author demonstrates
that animals are more apt than people in exposing their genuine attitudes to the world.
BLUE’S EYES
Alice Walker stresses the fact that animals, particularly horses, express emotions that are
distinct from those expressed by humans. The author pays attention to the animal's eyes in the
narrative, saying, “I had forgotten the depth of feeling one might sense in horses’ eyes. I was
therefore unprepared for the expression in Blue’s. Blue was lonely. Blue was horribly lonely and
bored”. Even if he had five acres in the most beautiful of fields to tramp by himself, his sole
entertainment for the day seemed to be the part when he is being given apples by the author. After
the brown mare had been with Blue for a few weeks, “there was a different look in his eyes. A
look of independence, of self-possession, of inalienable/absolute horseness”. Blue is given many
deep human characteristics in these scenes, allowing the reader to relate with him as a human-like
character rather than simply an animal.
COMPLETED CREATIONS
The author refers to animals as “completed creations” since it is their nature to express
themselves fully and not partially, “And they do. And, generally speaking, they are ignored”. Man
can develop the ability to communicate successfully with animals as a child, but he tends to lose
this as he grows older. Animals, on the other hand, do not alter and continue to express themselves
fully in all of their behaviors. Over history, man evolves and develops, adding new facets to his
being. Instead, animals stay completely developed as created by nature. Theirs is not a half-formed
creature.
RACIAL INEQUALITIES & SLAVERY
The author also addresses the problem of racial inequalities in the USA. It is described how
a black mother who cares for and feeds white children as if they were her own is subsequently
1.
“AM I BLUE?”
CHARACTERS
“Am I Blue?” uses animal images to create a comparative analysis of human emotions.
Alice Walker emphasizes the obvious similarities between people and animals, as well as pressing
issues such as racism, identity, and inequality. Furthermore, by presenting a full account of
emotions and feelings experienced by the white large horse named Blue, the author demonstrates
that animals are more apt than people in exposing their genuine attitudes to the world.
BLUE’S EYES
Alice Walker stresses the fact that animals, particularly horses, express emotions that are
distinct from those expressed by humans. The author pays attention to the animal's eyes in the
narrative, saying, “I had forgotten the depth of feeling one might sense in horses’ eyes. I was
therefore unprepared for the expression in Blue’s. Blue was lonely. Blue was horribly lonely and
bored”. Even if he had five acres in the most beautiful of fields to tramp by himself, his sole
entertainment for the day seemed to be the part when he is being given apples by the author. After
the brown mare had been with Blue for a few weeks, “there was a different look in his eyes. A
look of independence, of self-possession, of inalienable/absolute horseness”. Blue is given many
deep human characteristics in these scenes, allowing the reader to relate with him as a human-like
character rather than simply an animal.
COMPLETED CREATIONS
The author refers to animals as “completed creations” since it is their nature to express
themselves fully and not partially, “And they do. And, generally speaking, they are ignored”. Man
can develop the ability to communicate successfully with animals as a child, but he tends to lose
this as he grows older. Animals, on the other hand, do not alter and continue to express themselves
fully in all of their behaviors. Over history, man evolves and develops, adding new facets to his
being. Instead, animals stay completely developed as created by nature. Theirs is not a half-formed
creature.
RACIAL INEQUALITIES & SLAVERY
The author also addresses the problem of racial inequalities in the USA. It is described how
a black mother who cares for and feeds white children as if they were her own is subsequently
1.
