What is the author's style in The Diary of an African Nun by Alice Walker?

In The Diary of an African Nun, Walker's use of language for the African nun's diary entries is powerful. Walker uses a lot of symbols in this story to clearly convey the nun's desires, feelings and beliefs, with words like snow, white robe, spring, mountain, and "the dance of life." When describing the festivities that go on outside, Walker evokes a carnal, passionate, lively portrait of life. Walker contrasts this with the African nun always feeling confined in her white voluminous robe.