Free Color Purple Essays: The Power of Women

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The Power of Women in The Color Purple

Despite the odds women can overcome all obstacles. In the past, women have desperately struggled because they were belittled by men. They were thought of as ignorant beings that only knew how to manage housework. In The Color Purple, by Alice Walker, sexism was interrelated in the novel. Throughout the story, several women were extremely mistreated by men. Their experiences were considered trivial because they were always subordinated to them. Through the collection of letters that Celie wrote, the reader could see the development of a frightened young woman who had little regard for herself and of another, Shug, who struggled to become a successful woman.

In fact, Celie nearly struggled for her happiness her entire life. When she was only a little girl, her stepfather sexually abused her. He then sold her to a man named

Mr. ____ who had no intention of loving her, “No matter what I’m thinking. No matter what I feel. It just him” (Walker 69). Mr. ____ verbally and physically abused her. He expected her to manage all the housework and demanded that she took care of his kids, “They look at me there struggling with Mr.____ children” (Walker 45). If Celie refused, she was punished. Through all these traumatizing events, Celie lost respect for herself and forgot how to love. Her life was full of darkness without a single trace of light. However, Celie met a woman named Shug who gave her the courage to fight for what she believed in. Shug taught her how to laugh and play and showed Celie a whole new perspective of life. Shug constantly reminded Celie to speak out if something was bothering her and to not do anything that she did not feel like doing, “…say whatever come to mind, forgit about polite” (Walker 75). Celie was no longer afraid of Mr. ____. She stopped doing housework and left the dwelling to start her own business, “You a lowdown dog is what’s wrong. It’s time to leave you and enter into the Creation. And your dead body just the welcome mat I need” (Walker 207). She realized that women do not need men to survive because they can manage on their own. Celie was a brand new woman.

Moreover, Shug was a successful and powerful woman. She was a desirable blues singer who was creative and smart.

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