Theme of Identity in 'The Color Purple'

‘’The theme of Identity is crucial in The Color Purple’’

The theme of identity is central to the novel ‘The Color Purple’ as it is part of the journey and the creation of the main character ‘Celie’. Her character’s journey is what the reader becomes attached too, enforcing the ideas that are therefore presented throughout the novel. Walker had some very strong ideas present, such as the subversion of stereotype, inspiration for African-American citizens, relationships and family; all of which are used to help form Celie’s identity throughout the novel. There may be several meanings to the novel however each of them plays a significant role in forming the identity of Celie, a strong black independent woman. Through the character of Celie Walker puts her in situations that bring to light her strong ideas such as her empowering attitudes, and ‘Womanist’ attitudes. As Celie’s character goes on through the novel her identity of independent women forms, giving any black, female, African-American reader the sense of empowerment. Her ‘Womanist’ attitudes also come through here as Celie develops as a woman, forming her own life and becoming somebody she therefore is seen equal to a man. The way that Celie sees herself is crucial in the novel as this change of self opinion is what makes the transition between the ‘Old Celie’ and the ‘New Celie’ so clear. Within the opening of the novel she sees herself simply as a black, ugly, and fat- very self deprecating words towards herself. This feeling towards herself is what helps enforce the original idea of Celie just fitting into the stereotype of every other black woman from this time. However as the novel progresses we see that Celie is a much more complexed character, and isn’t just what is stereotyped. Her intelligence in the beginning wakes her appear weak (‘He never had a kine work to say to me’). This quote shows how Celie allowed people to make herself feel bad about herself, whilst her lack of intelligence was just another factor that was forcing her to make herself feel worthless. However as Celie progresses throughout the novel the way that she sees herself changes. She no longer sees herself as what Albert and several other men do. She sees herself as a free woman, a successful one and content with her life when she brakes free from Albert’s clutch. This change of self opinion is pivotal to Celie’s identity. Walker uses it to turn Celie’s life around but also for deeper meanings, including those previously mentioned such as empowerment to a wider audience. As Celie gradually changes her opinion of herself through the intervention of Shug Avery it creates a feeling of self love and appreciation, one which can be felt by the reader. This change that Celie goes through in forming the identity of the final Celie is central to the storyline. This identity is what forms everything else in the book, and though Celie finding herself, she encourages other characters within the novel to do the same. ‘Squeak’ also finds her own identity as a singer when Celie starts to change her life by leaving Albert- she only does so because she see’s that Celie as a black woman can do so, so why can’t she. Here we can see that the importance of Celie finding her identity within the world as it is influencing others around her. Celie’s sexuality and the narrative behind this play’s a large role in helping to form her identity. There are both male and female characters that play influential roles in the development of Celie’s identity. Throughout the novel it’s clear that Celie has very little interest in men, from an early age we find that she does not form a strong bond with her ‘father’ due to the manner in which he treated her. This event seriously affected Celie and arguably helped form her original identity- one of which where she sees herself as very little in society because of the way her ‘father’ made her feel. When men are concerned Celie act’s passively, allowing them to mistreat her and abuse her- another reason as to why Celie’s original identity is the way it is. However as the novel progresses we can see Celie’s identity change- due to her relationship with women. Celie grows a strong bond to Shug from when she first sees a photograph of her- this bond then starts to help Celie through her life with Albert, admiring and aspiring to appear like Shug Avery. This original link to Shug has already changed Celie, it’s given her something to aspire to be like, changing her original identity, and foreshadows how Celie will become very much like Shug, a more independent, strong woman. Her relationship with Shug and other characters including Sofia, Squeak ect are what help to form Celie’s identity- however her sexuality that is brought to light through the introduction of Shug is highly important in the discovery of Celie. Even though she is not a virgin, she feels that way and by sexually exploring with Shug, this creates a new life for Celie, one that had never been offered to her before. Her strong Christian surroundings have shielded her from this kind of relationship with a woman, and through the introduction of Shug and the idea of ‘Pantheism’ this is pivotal to the novel as Celie’s views on religion, sexuality and what is morally right are changed. These new ideas make her question everything that she has ever known- and helping to develop the new identity of Celie. As a child she has been raised on the beliefs of a Christian, to worship God and follow the word of God. This is present and clear within the opening of the novel as Celie writes to God- trusting him with her fears and worries in life. This holds some sense of irony as by Celie confiding in God, she is confiding in a man- and as we have established Celie doesn’t hold strong relationships with men. This concept of religion is changed dramatically as she discovers Nettie’s letters, and she loses her faith. This ‘letter’ is significant in Celie’s quest for identity as here she in effect feels lost as her whole life has been based around religion. But also that she has no trust in men, highlighting her violent nature with the ‘needle’ and how she has been holding all of her anger in. This release of anger when she finds Nettie’s letters signifies a part of Celie being left behind, and the formation of her new identity. When Shug, a character that crucially helps form Celie’s identity tells her about her beliefs (pantheism) this is a pivotal point- she changes herself and who she use to be, to this new person lead by Shug. A significant line that shows the change in Celie from old to new ‘Us each others peoples now’ highlights how Celie no longer sees herself as one of Gods people, but however as a free person- this freedom helping her escape the grasp of Albert and move away with Shug. The idea’s of release in order to form her new identity are similar between Celie’s sexuality, religion and her views of herself. This running theme is significant as Celie has been holding onto events in her life and allowing them to control her, when she leaves Albert the significance of the ‘dirt’ speaking, and the dust portrays how these events that she has been holding onto have gone- she is now a free person and from then on starts to form her new identity and her new life. The theme of identity does not just run in the main character, Celie’s storyline. It is also present in the characters of Nettie and Albert and various other supporting characters. One of the main features of ‘The Color Purple’ is that each character within it, whether it be a major or minor one has some form of identity journey and changes who they were, in many cases for the better. Nettie as a child has always been optimistic and hopeful. As an educated child in a society where black women could do very little she was already better off, however as the novel progresses we see Nettie’s character change, and her identity flourish. Nettie has always had dreams, (‘I never dreamed of going to Africa’) however her opportunities that come about in the novel start to allow her to have more imaginative dreams other than a better life than what her and Celie originally had. Her use of writing to Celie despite the fact that she hasn’t been having a response shows her constant hope- and this characteristic that is within Nettie starts to rub off onto Celie (‘...you can believe anything’), this being one of the factors that helped Celie leave Albert and change her identity of an oppressed woman. As Nettie begins to help people, her nurturing side develops and as a reader we see that Nettie has a strong bond with Samuel and the children- this being a major change to her end identity where she is a loving stepmother and wife. One of the most significant things that changed Nettie’s identity was the discovery of her origin. This link to where she came from, and her true African roots helps her form a strong bond with the Olinkan tribe. Here she forms a significant part of her identity following the Olinkan ways of having family central to their life. As we can see here the change in Nettie’s identity has not only affected her but also people around her, all because of the opportunities that she had as a more privileged educated black woman. Another character that changes their identity throughout the novel is Albert. As a man he is automatically more powerful than a woman and frequently asserts this power over Celie. Originally he can be seen as a bitter man, very much hung up on exerting patriarchal oppression. However this identity very much changes as we notice his dependency on women. In the opening we get hints of this as it becomes aware that he is incapable of looking after his children and land, hence the need of Celie his new wife. We see this role reverse, as Celie breaks free from Albert and he is left incapable of looking after himself and now has to rely on Harpo. Even though Harpo is the child he is more powerful one in this relationship, and again showing how Albert relies on others to help him- highlighting his incapability to survive along. Celie now being the one in control Albert has to find himself and form his own identity as an independent man. As his bonds with Harpo grow stronger a sense of family and true love is created this potentially being one of the main benefactors to Albert’s change in identity. His identity becomes one of an accepting nature, where he can now see a woman as an equal to himself- and by Celie leaving him; she was a pivotal part to the development of his identity. Throughout this essay it’s clear of the key role that identity plays within ‘The Color Purple’. It helps to shape the characters that the readers see develop, and form and emotional attachment to them. But it also gives an understanding of Walker’s views of this time period, how she feels the way black women should be treated. These views of Walker are carried by the characters through the events and situations that they are brought into and eventually form identities at the end that are reflective of the ideal life that Walker wants for women of that time period. In Celie’s case, her identity is very much carefree. Her new life allows her to have a loving family, a successful business and love a woman despite it being socially incorrect. With other characters such as Albert, he no longer feels he should oppress women but instead treat them as an equal- another of Walkers views. Even though the focus of the novel is on the storyline of Celie and the way she changes her life, the theme of identity helps to form and shape this, whilst shaping other characters around her and drawing and ending that it emotionally powerful simply due to the way that each of the characters identity changes.