Research Papers On The Color Purple
Healing and liberation through bonding and sisterhood
Alice Walker’s The Color Purple is about African-American women in America during the early twentieth century. During this time, gender stereotypes were prevalent, women were not only oppressed by white males, but by black males too. At the end of the book, women stand up for themselves, fighting against all odds to break free of the yoke of oppression. Walker narrates how Celie grew up being sexually abused by her stepfather, Alphonso. As an outcome of the abuse, Celie was impregnated twice and as a result, she gave birth to two children who were taken away from her by Alphonso. Celie’s first pregnancy was at the age of fourteen, during this time, she was going to school so she had to drop …show more content…
____, beat Celie. Celie’s suggestion got to Sofia and this led to a confrontation which contributed to Sofia and Celie’s healing and liberating each other through forming a …show more content…
During the confrontation, Celie shared her personal life story of not being able to fight (40). This led to Sofia opening up on how in all her life, she always had to fight against men; her father, cousins, uncles and brothers (40). Sofia said “a girl child ain’t safe in a family of men” (40). Sofia’s personal story had an effect on Celie because she knew what it meant growing up in a family of men. Sofia felt sorry for Celie because she reminded Sofia of her mother, who just like Celie, had suffered at the hands of men and was controlled by her husband without challenging him (41). When describing her mother, Sofia says, “She never stand up for herself” (41). Sharing experiences contributed to Sofia and Celie being closer together and this healed them; Sofia was healed from her anger of being mad at Celie. Celie was liberated from the burden of feeling bad. From sharing personal stories, Celie and Sofia realized that their families had gone through similar struggles and this made them connect. As a way to make up for sinning against Sofia, Celie changed her behavior after the confrontation. During a conversation with Harpo, Celie said, “Sofia love you, she a good wife. Good to the children and good looking. Hardworking. God-fearing and clean” (62). In this scenario, Celie probably acted
Alice Walker’s The Color Purple is about African-American women in America during the early twentieth century. During this time, gender stereotypes were prevalent, women were not only oppressed by white males, but by black males too. At the end of the book, women stand up for themselves, fighting against all odds to break free of the yoke of oppression. Walker narrates how Celie grew up being sexually abused by her stepfather, Alphonso. As an outcome of the abuse, Celie was impregnated twice and as a result, she gave birth to two children who were taken away from her by Alphonso. Celie’s first pregnancy was at the age of fourteen, during this time, she was going to school so she had to drop …show more content…
____, beat Celie. Celie’s suggestion got to Sofia and this led to a confrontation which contributed to Sofia and Celie’s healing and liberating each other through forming a …show more content…
During the confrontation, Celie shared her personal life story of not being able to fight (40). This led to Sofia opening up on how in all her life, she always had to fight against men; her father, cousins, uncles and brothers (40). Sofia said “a girl child ain’t safe in a family of men” (40). Sofia’s personal story had an effect on Celie because she knew what it meant growing up in a family of men. Sofia felt sorry for Celie because she reminded Sofia of her mother, who just like Celie, had suffered at the hands of men and was controlled by her husband without challenging him (41). When describing her mother, Sofia says, “She never stand up for herself” (41). Sharing experiences contributed to Sofia and Celie being closer together and this healed them; Sofia was healed from her anger of being mad at Celie. Celie was liberated from the burden of feeling bad. From sharing personal stories, Celie and Sofia realized that their families had gone through similar struggles and this made them connect. As a way to make up for sinning against Sofia, Celie changed her behavior after the confrontation. During a conversation with Harpo, Celie said, “Sofia love you, she a good wife. Good to the children and good looking. Hardworking. God-fearing and clean” (62). In this scenario, Celie probably acted