Explorations in Sights and Sounds
Orginal Publication Date
1986
Journal Title
Explorations in Sights and Sounds
Volume
6
Issue
ess/vol6/iss1
First Page
49
Last Page
50
Abstract
Paule Marshall's Praisesong for the Widow is an account of maturation or, put another way, of a black woman's willingness to confront her emergent self. Tastefully groomed, sixty-four year old Avatarra " Avey" Johnson leaves her suburban New York home to vacation with two friends on a West Indies cruise. Her decision to interrupt her plans, shortly after arriving at one of the destinations, is a surprise to everyone. Avey is compelled to discount the material investment she has made in the trip in order to follow a mind that has been haunted by dreams of her great aunt Cuney.
Rights
Copyright, ©EES, The National Association for Ethnic Studies, 1986