“The novel represents the pitfall of the “Salvific wish”, a rhetorical gesture associated with representation of African woman that, according to Candice Jenkins, developed in the 19th century”. Racism was a huge topic for “The Color Purple”. Racism has just as big a part within the “The Color Purple” as feminism does. She shows the emotions of feeling a shamed and being told to be silent about what is happening to them as young black females.

“The color purple ruminates on issues of salvation, shame, and silence as they manifest in the lives of early 20th century black women being in the U.S. “Within this historical, frame works, Walker processed to craft a narrative that ultimately transcends and transforms the social-cultural pathologies and existential “dead-ends” that distinguish the black female experience.” Walker had crafted a novel for black females who have or had experienced these “Dead Ends”. Racism in the 40s was a common factor in life. Feminism wasn’t the only wide spread predicament that caused mistrustful situation. “A true womanist honors feminine, especially mothers and the Earth, and could never truly accept a mislabeled “guy.” That womanist honor the earth and their mother’s love and they mislabel men that hurt them or other woman. With the novel “The Color Purple” it showed a great deal of feminist views from Alice Walker’s perspective. There must not be superiority between sexes”. “Likewise, In the novel of Walker feminist views can be seen clearly. This caused feminism to grow and spread out though out “The Color Purple”.įeminism in “The Color Purple” was widely open. “To her both men and women, were created equally, so they should have the same rights in society.” She is saying no human is unequal from another human that both male and female are equal. Celie’s rapes become part of her life as a young African American girl, even after she was married off. “As Martha Cutter writes,” The rape becomes not an instrument of silencing, but the catalyst to Celie’s search for voice”. The Color Purple is an excellent account of the life of poor black women who must suffer not only social or racism due to gender and skin color, but also one who suffers greatly by the hands of black men.įeminism in the 40s caused a disruption of traditional gender roles. The events of Alice Walker’s life are demonstrated through Celie and the use of racism, feminism, and male dominance within the novel. She is striving for her independence and her sister and children. Her sister is the only person that truly loves her unconditionally. The book “The Color Purple” is about a young African American girl who is emotionally and physically abused by her father and husband. I may have got somethin in my eye but I didn’t wink. How does Alice Walker show that feminism and racism is equally used in the context of race in “The Color Purple”? “He beat me today because he say I winked at a boy in church.

The color purple novel