The Color Purple by Alice Walker

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Women can often experience suppression in their daily lives due to people including husbands, co-workers, or peers. Many of these people will underestimate the capabilities of women and treat them in an unjust manner. The women in the novel initially symbolize a wrinkled piece of cloth. A person tramples on a smooth piece of cloth and wrinkles appear. Just like in the novel, the men overpower and show authority towards the women and cause them to become fearful and scared. But when someone comes around and irons this piece of cloth it can become smooth again. In the novel, there are people the women encounter that help them to find themselves and let go of these “wrinkles” signifying fear and being inferior. Instead they become a smooth cloth that is able to overcome these trials and show their dominance. In “The Colour Purple” by Alice Walker the author suggests that despite women being dominated by men physically and emotionally, the women in “The Colour Purple” find their sense of identity and power through people that they encounter and the choices they make. Celie is constantly beaten and disrespected by Albert, which causes her to feel insignificant. Meeting Shug allows her to find her true passions and also herself which gives her the willpower to stand up for herself. Squeak is very obedient to Harpo and does whatever he desires. Shug’s character allows Squeak to reflect her inner power and have the bravery to pursue her passion of singing. Tashi’s mother follows the Olinka female tradition and agrees upon anything her husband believes. After meeting Nettie she becomes more aware of the benefits of Tashi going to school and makes her own decisions. Celie is constantly abused and mistreated by Albert, which causes her to ... ... middle of paper ... ... place, which includes girls going to school as well. Catherine is initially scared of disobeying her husband’s decisions, but when he passes away, she makes her own decisions. The women in “The Colour Purple” find their true identity and self through the people they meet. With the guidance of people, women can overcome the abuse of men, which causes them to lose their sense of identity, and instead find power and their true identity through the people they meet. In everyday life, there are women that are abused by their husbands daily, which causes tension and uneasiness. But they can find a way to conquer these circumstances, and that is by finding someone who is willing to help them, or to gain the courage to stand up for what they believe in, in order to overcome these problems. Works Cited Walker, Alice. The Colour Purple. Orlando: Harcourt, 1982. Print.

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