Violence In The Color Purple

In “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker, Celie is faced with domestic violence by her step-father at a young age and later by her husband. Her mother died, and she was separated from the person she was closest to, her sister. Celie had children as a result of the domestic violence, but they were taken away from her. Throughout the story, Celie becomes close friends with people who begin to be her family. Because Celie is encountered with domestic violence, she is faced with immediate and long – term effects, but she overcomes them by having a good support system. Celie experiences immediate effects after she is abused. The first time she is faced with domestic violence by her step-father, she accepts it, but she says “I don’t never git used to it” (Walker 8). Celie also tells Shugg that she never gets mad at Mr. when he abuses her. Celie lets Mr. take control because she thinks it is normal for men to abuse women. She believes there is a better life out there for her after this one. As the story progresses, Celie is jealous of Sofia because Sofia defends herself and does not let Harpo control her, so Celie tells Harpo to beat Sofia. Later, Celie feels bad for telling Harpo to abuse Sofia and admits that she was jealous of her because Sofia was not scared to take up for herself.

She starts to get used to the abuse, and it does not bother her anymore. Celie is scared of men because the men in her life abused her or abused their wives. She begins to feel as if she is not strong enough to stand up for what she believes in. By being abused constantly and beginning to feel as if her life will not get better, Celie loses her faith as well. She writes to Nettie, “I don’t write to God no more. I write to you” (97). She feels as if God has not helped her with her situation. Celie realizes that she is not like everyone else because she was abused at an early age and was abused for most of her