Critics of Alice Walker's The Abortion - Essay Example

The abortion The term abortion means any premature expulsion of human fetus, either naturally like miscarriage or either through artificial process which is also called as chemical process. A simple yet meaningful definition of abortion is the expulsion of the product of conception before embryo or fetus is viable. However, a spontaneous expulsion occurring within the twelve weeks of gestation is termed as a ‘miscarriage’. On the other hand, the cessation of a pregnancy may also occur due to induced expulsion of human embryo or fetus (Gupta, 2011, p. 359). Abortion seems to be a mystery when it comes to ethicality and an argument in favor of supporting family life. The Reader-response criticism of the story “The abortion” by Alice Walker, however, provided a better view on my perceptions and beliefs on the topic of “abortion”. Induced expulsion is done intentionally by parents themselves. It is done by using medicines to kill the fetus while the baby’s heart starts beating. It is either because parents do not want to have another child or they do not want a child at all. There are numerous procedures for induced abortion. However, the chosen process or way should be in accordance with the age of fetus, laws and rules, service availability and the coordination between doctor and patient about the chosen process (Surgery 2009). The most common medical reasons that are claimed to be strong and in favor of abortion include the struggle to save woman’s physical and mental well being. An induced abortion is “that brought on intentionally by medication or instrumentation” (The Free Dictionary by Farlex). But does this intentional act actually an individual and sovereign decision? Was Imrani willing to undertake that abortion? Was it morally and ethically justifiable? The ethical reasons most people present often include the argument that their child is of less age and he or she needs more attention of the mother. But it is a crime and it is unfair means to avoid a child. The mother, often forcing herself into this decision, suffers a lot. Imrani’s immediate response to the abortion was painful, torturing and suffering. “She could not imagine being fine again” (p. 212). This is what happens to mothers due to their natural affection and love that they hold for their children. If the abortion was to save Imrani’s life or mental health, it was deteriorated anyways. The story “The Abortion” by Alice Walker, is based on this brutal act of aborting one’s child. The incidents and scenarios provided in the story resemble the circumstances that one of my friends went through. She had a 7 months baby and she was pregnant again but her husband persuaded her to abort the child as their first child was still too young. My friend really did not like the idea to kill her own child as she feels his heartbeat and she was very upset. But as her husband insisted she agreed to abort it. The consequences of not opting for an abortion seemed devastating for her married life. Her husband got too harsh while persuading her on the abortion. However, her strong will and determination led her to resist all the forceful arguments against the birth of her second child. The financial problems that her husband referred to, the health issue that he used as a prop and the worsened relationship between them were difficult to resist. Like Imrani, she also took a wrong decision due to continuous conflict with her husband. This was the day she killed her baby and her happy life. She felt awful after getting the abortion and could not accept her husband’s love and affection to be true. She felt cruel and inhuman. Her views changed about herself and her husband. She could not continue with her happy life and did not feel contented ever again. The guilt of killing a child and taking his breath away stayed with her, even after her divorce! Abortion has been legalized during 1973 in approximately 50 states for social, medical or other valid reasons. But as everyone knows, in the modern society, the decision of abortion is usually made for social reasons. This include but is not limited to the woman’s desire of not having another baby as her first baby is less than 1 year or either her husband does not want a child and so on. No less than 90 percent of the abortions are carried out for unlawful and non-therapeutic factors. Walker (2007) stated a story of a girl named Imani in the book named “We are the stories we tell” who is living with two years old daughter and her husband, now she is pregnant again. And she’s getting very emotional while discussing with her husband that whether they want the baby right now or not. She is literally crying hard as she, in the inside, have feelings for the baby being a mother. She is not ready for the abortion because she wanted to save her child’s life. But somehow it is decided to abort the child. She is thinking of her first abortion when abortion law has not passed yet. She has to face some difficulties while aborting but now, as abortion law has passed it would become easier to do so. Imani aborted the child. She could only blame herself for what she had done which she felt was un-fair and un-just. She was really upset because she went through a self-destructive process. I remember the quote said by Robert Casey in his saying that “abortion is the ultimate violence” which is violence for both the woman and her child. No body can understand such pain as felt by the mother. After abortion mostly woman are caught by one or the other kind of mental and psychological trouble. Women start to have negative feelings and thoughts about their act and feel that they have killed their own child. The situation worsens as they try to act normal, strong and happy as was the case of Imani. The consequences force her to do that and this feeling of guilt stays with her for a long time. She does not want to do this crime by killing her child by herself, yet fate, society and people make it happen. This is what exactly happened to Imani. She was constantly blaming herself for such an un-just act. She thinks her marriage would have deteriorated otherwise. This is mostly the case that happens with every third woman after abortion. However, like Imani, separations and divorce happens even if woman does as her husband asks her to do so. The situation and circumstances, however, are different. After the abortion, women’s psychological distress leaves the marriage unsuccessful, whereas, without abortion the husband’s dissatisfaction and reluctance to face financial and other troubles end up with the destruction of the family. So, it’s very important for a woman to know the after effects of abortion on her health. Like Imani, I never wanted to have someone with the same story. But I have seen many families which have faced such situation like Imani. Although I don’t want anyone to have experience all this but after reading her story many people would learn a lot from it. I think after reading this story many people will oppose abortion and they will realize that a beautiful gift that God gave us should not be wasted. It is not something which may be classified as a problem, mess or a hurdle in one’s happy life. If women knew who they were killing, if they could see the process of developing a child from the fetus, then they would never opt for an abortion. They think that they are not killing a human life but it’s just a bunch of cells and nothing else. Women, today, think that by opting for abortion they will stop that pain which they may experience in other stages of pregnancy or the expenses and issues that may arise after giving birth to a child. In today’s world there are millions of babies whose lives are stolen from them by this evil act named “ABORTION.” References: Gupta, S. A Comprehensive Textbook of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Jaypee Brothers Medical Pub, 2011. Print. http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/induced+abortion Martin, Wendy. We Are the Stories We Tell: The Best Short Stories by North American Women Since 1945. New York: Pantheon Books, 1990. Print. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. New York, NY: Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2002. Print. Surgery, 2009. "Induced Abortion." Surgery.com. Surgery.com, 17 feb 2009. Web. 4 Apr 2012. . Read More