Avatara

In Praisesong for the Widow by Paule Marshall Avey as Avatara embodies the new form of the African deity Legba. This is acknowledged by the fact that others seem to notice her change during the dancing, as one by one they begin to bow to her. This is fitting, for the word 'Avatariti' (obviously a variant of Avey's name 'Avatara') signifies a crossing over, an incarnation, or the embodiment of another person. At this point in the novel Avey can be said to embody both the aspects of her Aunt Cuney and Legba.

She now symbolizes what she had always feared to become, yet what she needed to be most.