Final answer:
Alice Walker uses symbolism to reveal Maggie's character in comparison to a lame animal. This symbolism highlights Maggie's vulnerability and emotional scars, contrasting her with more assertive characters like Dee.
Step-by-step explanation:
By comparing Maggie to a lame animal, Alice Walker employs symbolism to reveal facets of Maggie's character. This comparison embodies Maggie's vulnerability, timidity, and the emotional scars she carries, similar to the physical scars that would mark a lame animal.
The use of symbolism here is powerful because it conveys more than what is literally said. Through this literary device, Walker can also highlight the contrast between Maggie and other characters, such as her sister Dee, who is portrayed as confident and assertive.
Symbolism in literature often serves to provide deeper meaning to a character's persona, and in the context of this question, it reveals not just Maggie's physical limitations but her psychological state as a result of her life experiences. This symbolic act contributes to the understanding of Maggie's character beyond what is directly presented in the narrative's dialogue and action.