In Alice Walker's "Meridian," a vivid scene unfolds, where the imagery of Spanish moss, described as draggled and bloody, evokes a deep sense of sorrow. The atmosphere is filled with the creaks of amen corners, suggesting a place steeped in mourning. This setting captures the complex emotions of the mourners, who experience a unique blend of grief and exhilaration as they confront their profound loss.
The combination of anguish and joy becomes palpable, creating an almost euphoric response to the pain of loss. The mourners express their feelings through piercing shouts, finding a strange ecstasy in their endurance of suffering. They navigate their surroundings with a heightened sense of awareness, strutting confidently along narrow benches without fear of falling, highlighting the intensity of their emotional experience.