Toni Morrison's Nobel Lecture Focus On The Power Of Language

Toni Morrison’s Nobel lecture centered on the power of language. Her speech was memorable in that it brought awareness to the degradation of language today. The common man is using language today to oppress others, whether it is through a sexist, racist, or theistic language. Morison mentions the nefarious uses of language, as there are “rousing language to keep citizens armed, diplomatic language to mask the pity and waste of needless death, or seductive language to throttle women.” I thought this was powerful because it made readers realize that language along with its positive uses can be used to hurt others and obscure the horrors of terrible events in the world. I strongly believe this form of language must be rejected, altered and exposed, believe language is essential for humanity, therefore it is our duty to respect language, as the “future of language is ours.”
Moreover, Morrison shows readers that language is essential in humanity, as it “secures our difference, our human difference – the way in which we are like no other life.” This is powerful because it brings out the evident truth that language unifies humanity.
We are all different, whether it is our age, religion, sex, or nationality, therefore, the fact that we don’t all look alike, think alike and believe alike, is what gives our lives meaning. As Morrison said, “We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives." Therefore, Morrison was able to emphasize to readers the importance of respecting language, as it builds a foundation for our everyday
lives. Next, I found it very interesting that even though language attempts to speak for the experiences of the readers and writers, it is not a substitute for the real life events. Language has limitations, as language can never “pin down slavery, genocide, and war.” However, I learned that language is powerful because it “arcs toward the place where meaning may lie.” The positive wisdom we get from language is what makes it impactful. Unfortunately, many young people end up using violence to express themselves, as they use “bullets instead to iterate the voice of speechlessness.” Language allows everyone’s voice to be heard, but we must express ourselves properly, otherwise knowledge will be limited. Therefore, with proper uses of language, language can impact the lives of many for the better. Lastly, it was very memorable when Morrison described the common tendency for people to use language to hide the evil and the “scariness of things with no names.” This really moved me because it showed me that it is our responsibility to think of our lives and tell others our experiences of it. We should talk about the world that has “been to us in the dark places and in the light.” Language alone is not able to impact others, but when we use language with passion and skill, we are able to “see without pictures,” as the old blind woman did. For that reason, Morrison’s comparison with the bird and the foolish young boys show readers this ultimate lesson about the importance of language. Morrison’s Nobel lecture was powerful, as it brought out the inevitable truths of language.