Short stories by Alice Walker Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Short stories by Alice Walker - Essay Example The setting occurs in the residence of mama and her daughters where they currently live with her younger daughter. With the expected homecoming of the elder daughter, Dee, they make preparations aimed at ensuring proper reception for expected visitors. The story remains total fiction, which is effectively utilised in delivering the desired message form the author. The author utilises fiction in depicting the meaning of culture and the power of education, while having humour and irony within the story. The story presents the difference in heritage within family members, who shared similar cultural values while residing together. The visiting daughter changes name from Dee to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo, a name which she cannot explain its origin. She claims that Dee is dead depicting the death of cultural heritage. Through the actions and behaviours displayed by the elder daughter, heritage becomes nullified and its existence ignored by the character. Mama explains the origins of the fa mily name, running through many generations, and appears hurt by the daughter’s failure to understand the importance and meaning of heritage within the setting of the story. Dee desires family quilts, which she views as artefacts of dead heritage. While desiring these articles, she intends to utilise them as wall hangings, which further displays her misunderstanding of meaning of family heritage. She even tries to speak a language she cannot understand.

Renaissance and Fashion trends Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Renaissance and Fashion trends - Essay Example The essay "Renaissance and Fashion trends" talks about trends in the fashion in the era of Renaissance. For instances clothes that were designed for war had specific purpose, on the other hand the bridal clothing was designed to suit the function of the day. Before the 19th century clothing was tailor made to suit the needs of each individual. The design of women garments was quite different with the modern garments. The garments were loosely fitting and flowing. Most fabrics in ancient time lacked decoration. The general rule in western world preferred plain clothes to the decorated clothes. History records that clothes that people wore were white in color. Any other color was not easily accepted. Commoners were prohibited by the rules of the land not to wear red clothes in the theaters. A wide range of cloth colors started featuring in the fifth century. During this time, people could wear a wide range of colors in public places and in theaters. The cultural believes and the societ al norms dictated the kind of design that a community would accept. However, at the advent of the 20th century, the idea of standardized clothing became more popular as sewing and stitching technologies became widespread and the world moved into the era of industrialization. Tailors and dress markers developed new fashions and took them to the market. Competition among different designers is another factor that has contributed to the changes in fashions. Many designers want their products to sell.