Explore the powerful summary of Am I Blue by Alice Walker—an emotional essay reflecting on animal rights, empathy, and the human-animal connection. Perfect for literature students and ethical readers.
Am I Blue By Alice Walker
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Summary of Am I Blue By Alice Walker
Introduction
Alice Walker’s famous essay “Am I Blue?” not only draws attention to animal rights, but also presents a deep definition of human sensitivity, social inequality, racism and freedom. Through an autobiographical experience, it shows us how insensitive we often become towards the creatures around us, be it animals or humans. Walker shares some special moments in her life spent with a horse “Blue”, which shook her from within.
Detailed Summary
Blue – A lonely horse and his sadness:
At the beginning of the essay, the author mentions the meadow in front of her house and a beautiful but sad horse – Blue living there. Blue was alone, always standing in a corner, sad and silent. There was a depth in his eyes – as if he wanted to say something, as if he was going through some sorrow.
The author used to see him every day, but initially she never tried to understand the feelings of that horse deeply. But with time she realises that Blue is not just an animal, but a living soul, with emotions – love, loneliness, grief and a deep sense of absence.
Blue getting a companion and his happiness:
One day the author sees that a beautiful mare has been brought to Blue. This scene was very touching for her. Blue, who was always quiet and sad earlier, now jumps, chirps, happily grazes on grass. His eyes shine. This change happened only because of the arrival of a companion.
Here the author understands how important the need for a companion is for any living being – be it a human or an animal.
The mare leaves and Blue is heartbroken again:
But after a few days the mare is taken away. Blue is left alone again. This time he is saddened even more deeply. His sadness was now more evident. He seemed to have become hopeless – neither was he eating, nor was he moving.
This scene shakes the author’s mind. She feels that we consider animals only as objects of use, but they are also living, feeling beings.
Tendency towards serious thoughts
Through this story of Blue, Alice Walker forces us to think whether we humans are the only ones capable of feeling sadness and loneliness? Do the feelings of animals not matter?
The author says that society has learned to treat animals in the same way as slaves and lower castes were once treated. They were deprived of rights, no sympathy was shown towards them, and they were denied equal status to humans.
Similarity between racism and animal abuse
The author compares racism with animal abuse. She believes that just as the whites discriminated against the blacks, humiliated them, enslaved them – the same is being done with animals today. In both cases, humans consider themselves superior and ignore the existence of others.
She asks –
“Do only humans have the right to live?”
“Do the feelings of animals not matter?”
“Can we put any creature in trouble for our comfort?”
Food and morality
The author touches upon another important topic – meat eating and morality. She herself is a vegetarian and believes that killing a creature and eating its meat is not only murder, but also disregarding its pain and rights.
She raises the question that if we have to look into the eyes of an animal before killing it, feel its pain, will we still be able to eat it?
Main messages and symbols
Blue: A symbol of loneliness, desire for love and animal rights.
The coming and going of the horse: Momentary happiness and freedom snatched away by society insensibly.
The author’s experience: The consciousness of a sensitive soul, who sees life in every living being.
Racism and exploitation: Comparison of injustice done to both animals and humans.
Conclusion
“Am I Blue?” is a deeply emotional work that says a big thing in simple language – empathy and compassion should not be limited to humans only.
Alice Walker teaches us that animals too feel, think, grieve and know how to love just like us. We need to change our perspective not just to be called ‘civilized’ but to be truly compassionate.
This work not only highlights animal rights but also forces us to rethink the criteria of humanity.
And in the end she leaves a simple but very powerful question:
“Can I be sad too?”
“Am I Blue?”
Recommended Reading
The Gentleman of the Jungle By Jomo Kenyatta
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