Photography As Narrative: Exploring Memory And Identity In Alice Walker's The Temple Of My Familiar

Abstract

Abstract: The Temple of My Familiar remarkably showcases Alice Walker’s masterful integration of photography as a pivotal narrative device. In this novel, photographs and snapshots transcend mere visual representation, becoming conduits for characters to connect, reflect, and evoke a rich tapestry of thoughts, ideas, and memories. This study explores how Walker employs photography to convey diverse perspectives and highlight its enduring significance. Through the narrative, Walker not only invokes memories of African American ancestry but also reveals photography’s unique capacity to bridge the past and present, enriching both the cultural and emotional dimensions of her storytelling. Keywords: Photography, Memory, African American cultural memory, The Temple of My Familiar, Storytelling.