Paper Example on Common Themes in Everyday Use by Alice Walker and Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Introduction

The themes of human experiences are evident in particular genre selections that this paper considered. The three themes analyzed in this paper are the theme of the search for identity, the theme of human fear or the fear of the unknown, and the theme of systematic discrimination. The two literary works where the themes are analyzed from are Everyday Use by Alice Walker and Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare's work is a drama whereas Walker's genre is prose or a reading selection.

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The Search for Identity in Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Identity is a personal characteristic and behavior by which he or she is defined as a member of a group. In the drama, Hamlet, by Shakespeare, the character Hamlet, the protagonist, endures throughout his life as he looks for his true identity. Hamlet struggles to find his place in life as life moves on and also seeks to avenge the murder of his father. The death of his father makes him sorrowful to a level where the idea of suicide comes into his thoughts. In several occasions, although he does not make the suicidal step, he keeps on talking to himself showing that he does not know what to do with his life.

Hamlet regrets leaving in the wicked world. King Claudius has taken over him and makes life miserable for him. He does not have any choice to get any formal education. All these aspects illustrate the first line in Hamlet, "who's there?" which is an identity theme opener in the play.

The Fear of Unknown in Hamlet by William Shakespeare

In the play, Hamlet, the character Hamlet states that "conscience makes all scared or coward" (Shakespeare 105). He feels that he fears to act due to a voice of doubt within him. As he thinks of suicide, he is not sure of finding peace in the life after his death (Shakespeare 110). Moreover, as he plans to avenge the death of his father, he doubts the activities his very eyes imagine, and he is not sure of the aftermath. Other than Hamlet, other characters, for example, King Claudius is also troubled in his conscience while thinking of the things he has done. Also, the mother of Hamlet blocks the stories reality of the situation she suffers as Hamlet demands to know more than what he already knew. Due to the fear of the unknown of what might happen next, she feels that "it is better not to know than to know" (Shakespeare 112). The rational consideration before acting is critical in the play. In Hamlet, it is important to note that decisions need certainty as well as ethical, emotional and psychological factors.

The Theme of Gender Discrimination in Hamlet by William Shakespeare

The play Hamlet portrays women as inferior and displays men as the pillars of both constancy and stability. Gender discrimination is also depicted in the form of feminism in the play. The women are represented to play specific roles and suffer particular experiences. The two female characters to analyze this theme are Ophelia and Gertrude. In the play, Shakespeare reveals Ophelia as a subject of male characters that surround her. Hamlet even makes her think that she causes his madness. He also treats not as a woman who bore him but as a sexual object. He says, "It is a fair thought to sleep between a female's legs" (Shakespeare 111). Women are utilized as properties, and men expect to instruct them. Polonius, Ophelia's father expects her to follow his orders to the latter and he uses her to retrieve Claudius information through Hamlet (Shakespeare 113). Men also take advantage of Gertrude despite being a queen.

The Search for Identity Theme in Everyday Use by Alice Walker

In Everyday Use, Alice Walker tells the story of a mother and her daughter who have diverse opinions regarding their heritage and identities. The search for identity is described when the author, Walker contrasts the decision Mrs. Johnson has to make on whether or not to give her two daughters, Dee and Maggie, hand-sewn quilts for decoration in the wedding. The display of the quilt symbolizes the African-American cultural identity. The use of quilts is a symbol of African cultural identity whereas lack of its use would represent the lost identity. Maggie represents the decision to keep the past identity as she chooses to use the quilts. Dee represents the contrary opinion and only needs the quilts as a decoration but not for the household use.

The Fear of Unknown in Alice Walker's Everyday Use

In the reading, the fear of the unknown is a psychological criticism. As Dee talks to her mother and sister, she does not seem to know what she needs. She disputes the significance of the quilts but later fears that she would forget the life of her family in her new life. She plans to leave the tradition but still imagines that she should let her family as part of it (Walker 335).

Social and Economic Discrimination in Everyday Use by Alice Walker

Dee is educated unlike her sister Maggie and her mother. She, therefore, feels superior to them and thinks that she should work and live outside her community and outside of the position of her family. Dee's looks changes after education, and wears new-fashioned clothing and even changes her name because of her knowledge. However, she forgets her ancestral past and, therefore, he mother refuses to give her the family quilts.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet: The First Quarto, 1603. Bloomsbury, 2014.Walker, Alice. Everyday use. Films for the Humanities and Sciences, 2004.