Toni Morrison Critical Analysis

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This talk titled ‘Have Mercy: The Religious Dimensions of the Writings of Toni Morrison’ paneled by Mara Willard, Jay Williams, Josslyn Luckett and two Harvard Divinity School professors Stephanie Paulsell and David Carrasco was published on the fourteenth of December 2012. As indicated in its title, it focused on the religious dimensions of the writings of Toni Morison, who was then a professor at Princeton Univesity. She is also not only a legendary American author but also a receiver of a Nobel Prize for Literature. She was also present at the talk and answered questions regarding her literary works from the audience.
Toni Morrison’s work reflects a rich range of religious traditions and experience in human life. She captures African religious traditions, Christian practice and theology, chauvinism, prayers, scriptures, and hymns just to name but a few. Have Mercy which is the theme of the series of talks featuring this famous author is a phrase found in almost all Morison’s works captures. She helps us in getting a deeper meaning of the phrase as a sentence of direct address in the imperative mood. Everybody beginning from leaders should have mercy. Have Mercy as a phrase is a significant part of the religious dimension of Toni Morrison’s work, it is a call to a way of receiving and responding to the world, a way of living marked by mercy.
Religion is Toni Morison’s works is never sentimentalized; it is fierce, practical, focused on the body and it plays a critical role in drawing the boundaries between societies and people.

My perspective of this woman as a female/woman author has changed insignificantly after viewing the talk. I still have the opinion that she is a great author and one with vast experience in the field of religion. However, I learned the importance of having mercy on all people, and I will start practicing it much more deeply. Guided by dignity and unbelievable grace, this talk is indeed a wonderful conversation.
Works Cited
Harvard Divinity School. “Have Mercy: The Religious Dimensions of the Writings of Toni Morrison.” YouTube, 14 Dec. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HxbrD8sQfI&feature=youtu.be. Accessed 23 Apr. 2018.