The Oppressed

By: Meg Thompson

Throughout the novel, women are taken advantage of and pushed around by men who think they are superior to women. Female characters are subjected to many things at the simple request or command of a male. Much of what is acceptable for men is not for women, and The Color Purple displays this quite often. While both are permitted to raise their voices, become upset, or even swear, their tone of voice is set up differently for both sexes. Celie personally sees men and women on different levels, and in her opinion, their actions differ greatly. Females grow up thinking they have little to no self-worth; in their eyes, identity and humanity is formed around someone elses opinion, that being a mans. However, Nettie doesnt allow society or anyone to take away her rights as a woman, because only she can decide where it is they end up in life. Her decision to leave her country, and follow her passion and calling to help those in Africa is admirable. Netties character as a strong, independent women shows that she can support herself, both financially and emotionally. The letters she sends to Celie help exploit the destruction people in Africa are facing each and every day. I believe that this places womens rights in a larger context , because it shows that it is an issue around the world. Their voices are not heard simply because men and women are unequally represented across cultures and across races. Many scenes in this novel refer to slavery, and how literature was an important component in granting them freedom. This is where the format of the book came in to play. Celies letters to God, and her sister, captured the transformation of women over time, and how successful their actions were in fighting for equality. The female characters helped reinforce the importance of independence, and how crucial it is for women to lead autonomous lives. The Color Purple helps young women see self-empowerment as a valuable trait, and how taking small steps towards this, will tear down the oppression of women in society. Alice Walker strategically used Celie as our protagonist to speak for all black women and captured her confidence through this first person narrative. The language alone gave insight on how slaves communicated with one another. Perhaps some would be hung up on language spoken; however, I personally found it to be authentic and helpful. It allowed me to see the internal oppression of women, and how they were often going through their own battles. Communication helped bring everyone together, and this was often the missing component represented between the male and female characters. This novel also reinforces and breaks down multiple stereotypes placed upon females in society. Women are usually depicted as weak and quiet generally lacking ambition to leave. Nettie, however, finds her inner strength and moves to Africa to make something of her life. Instead of staying in the unhealthy environment she was living in, she chooses another path in hopes of finding success. Sophia also breaks away from normal female behavior, because she doesnt allow anyone to touch her, including a man. Her smart ass comments and actions get her into trouble, but even that doesnt stop her from speaking her mind. Her character is anything but the timid, weak, unintelligent individual woman are too often perceived as. With that said, Walker in my opinion incorporated the characters in The Color Purple to reinforce certain stereotypes. Celie, our main character in the novel took on that role as someone who didnt want to let her emotions get to the best of her. Instead of speaking her mind, she kept everything bottled up and went along with everything. Despite the abuse she endured by others, both physically and mentally, she never stood up for herself and let her voice be heard. It wasnt until the end that she realized God was watching out for her this whole time. Although this didnt make up for her actions, or lack of the m in the

beginning, by the end she was able to become the woman she aspired to be, and take pride in her African American descent. This book, hands down, would be used in my own classroom because it portrays all characters in a way that pushes the readers. Not only does it break stereotypes, but it also reinforces some as a way of inviting audiences in for discussion.