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Identity in The Color Purple

The Color Purple: A Novel by Alice Walker, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®

 If there is any word that can encapsulate the theme of The Color Purple, it would be identity. Many of the characters in the novel go about their day-to-day lives, trying to to find themselves or straying away from who they truly are.

This can most evidently be seen in our protagonist, Celie. In the beginning of the story, Celie doesn't have a clue as to who she really is. She becomes emotionally shut off from the world after the abuse she endured from her own father, and as a result, she turns to writing. She writes her letters to god because he's the only one she trusts. She also believes that he's the only one who can save her. However, she soon learns that help doesn't need to come from outside: it can come from within her. After meeting new friends such as Sofia and Shug, she realizes that resistance is inside her. She doesn't need to live her entire life controlled by the abusive Mr. __. She learns this from Sofia, who is stronger than Harpo is and has spent her entire life defending herself and her sisters from her brothers, which allows her to be strong and independent. She also sees this in the "Queen Honeybee," who doesn't care about what people like her parents think of her. She also has the upper hand in her relationship with Albert __, as he would never even dare to yell at her. All these women teach Celie that she does not have to play a part in the sexist gender hierarchy. 

Celie also discovers more about her sexuality as the novel continues. At the beginning, we see that Celie is not interested in men at all. She says that "I don't even look at mens. That's the truth. I look at women, tho, cause I'm not scared of them," (Walker 5). Although she says this because of the abuse that she's endured from her father, it's a nice piece of foreshadowing about her sexuality. We find out that Celie is gay after Shug Avery is introduced into the story. When Celie first lays eyes on Shug, she becomes infatuated. She "love looking at Shug," and looks up to her more than anyone else. She gets jealous when Shug stays with Mr. __ instead of her. She wishes that she and Shug could live happily ever after, without Albert and all the troubles both of them have.

I find Celie's quest to find herself very interesting thus far. In many movies and novels, characters usually visit exotic places in order to "try and find their true selves," However, Celie doesn't these "adventures" to try and find herself. All she needs are her friends and her confidence to overcome the decades of trauma inflicted upon her, and every day, she grows stronger and more willing to stand up for herself. 

 

Comments

  1. George MagarJanuary 9, 2022 at 1:30 PM

    I certainly agree with the idea that Celie finds her strength and help in herself with the help of her friends. It is brilliant watching her grow as she discovers more about herself and learns that she can fight against the oppressors in her life; her journey of self discovery is just really special.

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