Praise songs are used during rituals for funerals and initiations. In relation to Paule Marshall’s Praisesongs for the Widow, Avery Johnson encounters trials and tribulations which lead her back to her home community. Avery was distracted by the materialistic values because she was trying to assimilate to the Angelo American culture. With the guidance from Lebert Joseph, Avery is able to find her true identity and finally reaches acceptance of who she is. During a praise song, she performs the Creole dance and it is a representation of rebirth. She celebrates the death of her Americanized identity and celebrates the birth of her new culture.
Jenny Saenz
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