The Development of Self Identity

The piteous nature of sexism, abuse and how it can be overcome by the power of a voice and strong relationships, is exhibited in the inspiring novel, The Colour Purple by Alice walker. Set in rural Georgia in 1910, protagonist Celie narrates her unfortunate life through confessional and religious letters written for god. Being verbally, physically and sexually abused, Celie's confidence is at an all time low. She sees the world in a skeptical manner focusing her writing on her feelings. When she starts developing strong female relationships, her outlook on life changes, as well as her writing style. Walker expresses that your past does not dictate your future and by altering your mindset and establishing powerful relationships, you can become a stronger person.

Having been raised in an abused home, suffering and sadness were never new feelings for her. Her whole life Mr.____ sexually, verbally and physically hurt her. He shaped who she came to be, an unconfident young girl who unfortunately viewed the world as a very unfair place. Mr._____ insignificance from Celie’s point of view explains why she never gives him a name, only giving him a black space, which metaphorically demonstrates exactly what he means to her; absolutely nothing. When the heroine starts to believe that she is somebody, she strives to demonstrate this by cursing the antagonist, “ I curse you I say. What that mean he say. I say, until you do right by me, everything you touch will crumble “. Mr.____ quickly destroys her hopes by saying “….Who you think you is? He say. You can’t curse nobody. Look at you. You black, you pore, you ugly, and you a woman. Goddam, he say, you nothing at all “(Walker 25). With this, Mr.____ conveys that in his eyes, his past appallin...

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...ee it always trying to please us back”(Walker 75). Shug demonstrates that she sees God’s beauty around her and it has not gone by unappreciated. The colour purple and other colours metaphorically signify many different things in the novel, bright symbolizing happiness and dull colours symbolizing sadness.

Therefore, Celie’s self identity was developed and discovered with the assistance of Mr._____, Shug Avery, God and the colour purple. Beginning with letters focusing on her feelings and depending on God’s help and transitioning into God being within her. Walker tells a story of a young girl changing her outlook on life and persevering through difficult times. She successfully displays Celie’s mindset and turning point and expresses that it is never too late to make a change.

Works Cited

Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. New York: Pocket Books, 1985. Print