Literary Analysis Essay on Beauty Tips From My Dead Sister: A Groundbreaking Tale of Love & Self-Image

Introduction

Namwali, Serpell's "Beauty Tips from my Dead Sister" is a groundbreaking story that underscores a fantastic read following its vast teachings and prowess in the realms of theme encompassing, among others, love between the sisters and love for self-image. It underlies that beauty is more than just an appearance but more of the inner beauty. The love for self-image stems from having unique, flawless, and radiant skin that emanates from well-taking care of oneself like healthy living and taking care of the skin (Serpell). Therefore, the book juxtaposes the author, Nawala's inspiration to write about her late sister and beauty tips. The latter taught her following the love they had for each other hence presenting the primary theme of love in self-image and sisterly love.

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Namwali writes about the love for self-image as she was taught by her late sister, embracing oneself, good self-care, and never being ashamed of oneself. She adds that one needs to apply some makeup to compliment the beauty and adorn good robes with good heels as they walk with confidence (Serpell). By so doing, one demonstrates that the love for self-image is primary since it is the only place in which one prides herself. Moreover, Namwali asserts that she and her late sister had a great love for each other by demonstrating how her late sister would wrap her hands around her throat and reassure her that she is around her every time she sleeps and that she would always be there with her even in death (Serpell). That is a perfect depiction that the two sisters shared a mutual love for each other. Furthermore, the writer recalls the good moments that they had with her sister and the reassurance that she has even after her sister is gone and that it is okay to mourn her till the rage of sadness is gone. She finally moves on and remembers her even in her death, a clear indication that the author and her sister had a great love for each other (Serpell).

Moreover, the author brings them out of love in the story by articulating how her sister's last wishes would be before she died. For instance, she says that following the passion that the sister had for self-image, she would wish that the writer redo her look, shadow her eyes, glow her lips and highlight her face so that she looks pretty enough even in her death as the writer bids her goodbye (Serpell). Additionally, the writer recalls how she and her sister would sing together to show love and images that her sister would never want her to sing at her funeral. The novel's most emotional moment is when the writer is still in denial of her beloved sister's death and wishes that she would even dream of her, pinch and play with her, for she could always be alive (Serpell). That is a clear demonstration of the love shared by the two sisters, that exists even in death, a mutual love. When it happens, the remaining sibling is left in agony and in denial following the numerous good times that they shared.

Also, Namwali narrates that her sister, in her death, would wish for her to keep off the things that could make her think about her and grieve (Serpell). For instance, she mentions that her dead sister would want her to keep off fragments as she would still see pieces of her dead sister's glinting and images from there, which would cause her emotional disturbance. So, she is compelled to away with them, including the ex-addiction that would remind her of her dead sister, to help promote her quick healing from her beloved sister (Serpell).

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the novel "Beauty Tips from my Dead Sister" underscores an inspirational art that Namwali presents in her late sister's memory. The latter had a gear sense of fashion and self-care and believed in a string, presentable body image full of confidence. The author articulates the self-care and excellent presentation of one's appearance with love and care, underscores the theme of love for self-image. Conversely, the author's demonstration of the good moments she shared with her sister, the suitable lessons she learned from her, coupled with her final wishes before she died. That elaborates the two sisters' strong mutual love, thereby presenting the theme of love between the two sisters. Therefore, the theme of love is strongly suggested in the story as the primary theme, making the story an exciting read.

Work Cited

Serpell, Namwali. "Beauty Tips from My Dead Sister." BuzzFeed News, 27 Mar. 2019, www.buzzfeednews.com/article/namwaliserpell/beauty-tips-from-my-dead-sister. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.