Examining Alice Walker’s am i Blue

Alice Walker, a renowned African-American author, activist, and vegetarian, is celebrated for her profound contributions to literature, particularly her acclaimed novel, *The Color Purple*, which earned her the Pulitzer Prize. Walker's work often delves into themes of civil rights, the experiences and struggles of African-Americans, and the challenges faced by women as minorities. These themes are vividly explored in her 1986 essay, "Am I Blue?", which, while written in the style of a short story, serves as a poignant commentary on social justice and human behavior.

Through the lens of her relationship with a horse named Blue, Walker invites readers to reflect on broader issues of how humans treat animals and each other, emphasizing the need for empathy and respect.

The Story of Blue

At the heart of Walker's narrative is her friendship with Blue, a horse living freely in a five-acre meadow near her home in the mountains. An apple tree, growing just beyond Blue’s fence, becomes central to their bond, symbolizing a shared connection and mutual trust as they regularly share its fruit. This idyllic friendship takes a turn when a brown mare is introduced into the meadow, only to be removed shortly after her impregnation, leaving Blue visibly distraught. Walker uses this event to highlight the human tendency to treat animals—and by extension, each other—with a detached cruelty. She draws parallels to historical and ongoing injustices, such as the dehumanization of Native Americans by white settlers, the brutal treatment of slaves in early America, and the systemic oppression of women and children throughout history. Walker elevates Blue’s plight as a tangible example of mankind's indifferent cruelty, effectively conveying powerful emotions to the reader through her engaging narrative style.

Humanizing Blue

Walker skillfully evokes empathy by attributing human qualities to Blue, fostering a deeper connection between readers and the horse. She observes, “… I had forgotten the depth of feeling one could see in a horse’s eyes.” This personification continues as she notes Blue’s transformation during the mare’s presence: “… there was a different look in his eyes… of independence, of self-control, of innate horseness.” By assigning Blue complex human traits, Walker encourages readers to relate to him as a character with human-like emotions, rather than merely an animal. This technique not only fosters engagement but also prompts readers to consider their own attitudes towards animals, advocating for a recognition of their inherent dignity and the respect they deserve—paralleling the respect humans owe one another.

Societal Reflections

Beyond engaging readers with Blue's story, Walker critiques society’s tendency to reduce animals to mere symbols or images. She remarks on how society has become accustomed to consuming milk from cartons adorned with images of “content” cows, or enjoying eggs and meat from “happy” hens, ignoring the realities of their existence. Walker’s choice of a horse as the story’s central figure is deliberate, as the image of a neglected and confined horse resonates more deeply than that of another animal might. While critiquing this symbolic reduction, Walker employs the same imagery to draw readers into a reflective engagement with her narrative.

Conclusion: A Call for Compassion

In "Am I Blue?", Alice Walker weaves a narrative that transcends a simple tale of friendship between a woman and a horse, offering instead a profound commentary on societal issues. Through her bond with Blue, Walker expresses her deep respect for animals, and by depicting the neglect and indifference Blue faces, she underscores her call for humans to treat both animals and each other with compassion and tolerance. Walker’s adept use of personification and narrative engagement elicits empathy and introspection from her audience, effectively highlighting humanity's capacity for both cruelty and indifference. Her essay challenges readers to recognize and address these tendencies within themselves, advocating for a shift towards greater empathy and understanding in our interactions with all living beings. Through this, Walker's work not only calls for reflection but also inspires change, urging us to cultivate a world characterized by kindness and respect.

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