Meridian Essay Questions

The novel opens with a page of definitions for the word “meridian.” In what ways do these definitions apply to the novel?

The many definitions of the word “meridian” that Walker supplies make the word a good fit for the book’s protagonist, a complex individual who escapes easy categorization. One example is her “distinctive character,” which sets her apart throughout the book as she refuses to conform to the way that society expects her to behave because of her race and gender. It is ironic that several definitions have to do with health, because of Meridian’s long physical illness; her spiritual vitality, in contrast, fits well with these definitions. Finally, definitions such as “zenith” can apply to the civil rights movement that serves as the backdrop of the novel; the 1960s was a high point of the movement in America.

In the beginning of the novel, Meridian tells Truman that he grieves by “running away.” What might Meridian mean by this statement?

Meridian is talking about the death of Truman’s daughter, Camara, and the deterioration of his marriage. Throughout Truman’s often troubled relationship with Lynne, he found solace only by running away to be with Meridian. Meridian, always honest, calls Truman out for engaging in this destructive way of grieving a loss of love. She may also be referring to the fact that Truman essentially abandoned the civil rights movement to which Meridian is dedicated, until finally returning to his work with Meridian in Chicokema. Truman’s pattern of running away is one example of what some critics have viewed as a negative representation of the African-American male in Walker’s novels.

Parental rejection is a common theme in Meridian. Discuss the ways that parents reject their children in the novel and their reasons for doing so. How do these familial issues interact with the broader societal issues at play in the novel?

Lynne’s parents reject her entirely, even claiming that she is dead to them, because they are unable to accept her relationship with Truman in a time when interracial relationships were often socially taboo. In contrast, Meridian’s mother rejects her daughter because she is deeply religious and unable to understand why Meridian cannot accept the church. Finally, Meridian gives her child up for adoption because she wants to take advantage of the opportunity to attend college, and is afraid of the dark hatred of her son that exists deep in her heart. These instances all point to the difficulty of parenting, especially when strict social rules dictated parenting norms and gender roles.

Discuss the effect of the non-sequential narrative that Walker employs throughout the novel. How does this formal aspect of Meridian relate to the novel's major themes?

The novel jumps around from the past to the present and back again, interweaving the stories of Meridian, Truman, Lynne, and their families. One effect is to slowly inform the reader of the tragedies that each character has suffered; for example, Walker reveals in the first few sections of the book that something has gone wrong with Truman’s marriage and child, but the explanation of what exactly occurred is interspersed throughout the narrative. In addition, the non-sequential order of events emphasizes the way that the past informs the present, both for Meridian and for the civil rights movement as a whole. Walker reveals the way that history shapes subsequent events through small narratives such as the legend of Louvinie and the Sojourner and the story of the Sacred Serpent.

In the novel’s final scene, Meridian walks away from her house while Truman lies down in her sleeping bag. What might this ending imply about the conclusion of each character's arc throughout the novel?

The final scene affirms Meridian’s individuality and her determination to continue to fight for justice. She walks, rather than driving, always on the lookout for people to talk to and potential voters to canvass. Despite her long illness, she is still physically strong enough to walk along the hot road. Walker leaves her final destination ambiguous; perhaps Meridian, a perennial wanderer, does not know where she is going next. Truman, in contrast, lies down to rest; the long struggles he has faced makes him tired and dizzy, and Meridian has always served as a source of comfort to him. The fact that he lies in her sleeping bag may indicate that he has taken up her activist mantle and will continue to work for civil rights.