Martn Merino

English
August 26, 2012
The Color Purple

Discrimination appeared in two ways, the inequality within diverse races
and the inequality among the same races. Through the book Walker
demonstrates not only the external discrimination but also the internal
discrimination. External oppression happens when a group of people are
treated differently from people of another race. For example, on page 90, Miss
Millie asks Sofia to be her maid, All your children so clean, she say, would you like
to work for me, be my maid? Sofia say, hell no (Walker,1985) this example shows
how Miss Millie a white woman feels superior towards Sofia, and then Sofia by
rejecting the offer gets in trouble. African Americans didnt have rights and if
they spoke their minds they were harshly punished. Internal oppression occurs
when people of the same race are treated with inequality. On page 117, Celie
expresses her life besides Mr.____, saying, Mr.____ come git me to take care his
rotten children. He never ast me nothing bout myself. (Walker,1985) Walker shows
the discrimination against womans even though she is from the same race.
Other example of internal discrimination is jealousy, jealous between womans
is also present, on page 42, Celie expresses how jealous she is towards Sofia
by saying, I say it cause Im fool, I say. I say it cause Im jealous of you. I say it
cause you do what I cant. (Walker,1985) Celie cant stand that Sofia protects
herself from Harpo, something that Celie cant do. Discrimination and
superiority from one group of people toward another group of people and
inequity between the same races as well have caused a division on society.
Bibliography
Walker, A. (1982). The Color Purple. New York: Washington Square
Press