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What Is Feminism In The Color Purple

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3.3. Feminism

There are many instances in the novel in which feminist ideology is visible. Traumatized by her childhood experiences, Celie seeks acceptance and fulfilment in relationships built with women. As has been mentioned in the first chapter, Alice Walker states that women may love other women “sexually and/or nonsexually” (1983). This passage becomes one of the main statements defining the term womanism discussed previously in the thesis. Walker supports and develops this term with the representation of the relation between Celie and Shug. Celie’s growth as a woman is visible in her relation with Shug Avery who teaches her how to enjoy life and to accept herself wholly. Some researchers support this argument by stating “Walker always emphasizes the importance of sisterhood in black women`s emancipation” (Singh & Guphta, 2010: 218). Shug introduces Celie to same-sex relationships and masturbation. At this point, the protagonist begins to address her letters to her sister Nettie rather than to God in order to tell her about her experiences.
Shug Avery appears in Celie’s life at a moment in which she is confined within marriage with Albert. Touched by her unhappiness, Shug promises her that she will not abandon her until she will be sure that she feels protected. During one of their meetings, …show more content…

Guiding her spiritually, she helps Celie to redefine her womanhood and show her how women should “defend themselves with words; they discover their potential – sound themselves out through articulation” (Cheung, 1988: 162). In the course of time, one can notice Celie`s growth in self-awareness and self-realization. Her confidence helps her to rebel against the patriarchal system. Observing her development and growth into womanhood, Shug says to her “you making your living Celie ... Girl, you on your own way” (The Color Purple: 2004:

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As black women always conform under patriarchal principles, women are generally silenced and deprived of rights because men are entitled to control everything. Women are silenced in a way that they lose their confidence and hesitate to speak up due to the norms present in the society they live in. Hence, even if women have the confidence to try to speak, men wouldn’t bother to listen since men ought to believe that they are superior to women. In addition to that, women often live in a life cycle of repetitions due to patriarchal principles since women are established to fulfill the roles the society had given them. It is evidenced by Celie as she struggles to survive and to define oneself apart from the controlling, manipulative, and abusive men in her life.

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However, even though at this point in the book she believes Nettie is likely dead, she stays in the marriage, thus proving the lack of value she has for herself. In this marriage, along with the beatings and rapes, Mr.____ doesn’t like to allow Celie to go places. When Shug is going to perform at Harpo’s juke- joint, Mr.____ doesn’t want Celie to come, saying, “Wives don’t go to places like that.” (Walker 73). Even though Celie has been dying to hear Shug perform, she does not argue with him.

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Once Shug is able to feel acquainted with Celie they find themselves doing everything together. Shug teaches Celies about herself mentally, spiritually, and physically with her body. The book captures the feelings held between the Celie and Shug with vibrant words and sentences between the two characters. ¨She say, I love you, Miss Celie. And then she haul off and kiss me on the mouth (Walker, 1982).¨

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The problem of Mr. ____ gets taken care of when Shug and her discover the letters that Mr. ____ has been withholding. Shug can see that he does not care for Celie at all, and that Celie has to get away from him. After reading the letters, they just lie together and for the first time since Nettie, she has a family member. She calls Shug her sister.

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Shug helps Celie find the letters her sister had been sending over the years since Albert made Nettie leave. Albert had hide the letters from Celie in a box under the floorboards in the closet. Shug showed Celie the love she had been lacking in her life. Near the end of the story Celie finally acquires enough courage to stand up to Albert at the dinner table. Celie defends herself and says the things she’s been holding back.

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There’s rape, death, and many other aspects covered in the book. In this first page, readers are immediately met with a rape scene. While this is shocking to many, Celie recovers and gets through it. She was born with all odds against her, but she is a strong and selfless woman. Celie becomes prosperous and content, and the book executes a joyful end that is satisfying.

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