Despite the odds women can overcome all obstacles. In the past, women have desperately struggled because they were belittled by men. They were thought of as ignorant beings that only knew how to manage housework. In The Color Purple, by Alice Walker, sexism was interrelated in the novel. Throughout the story, several women were extremely mistreated by men. Their experiences were considered trivial because they were always subordinated to them.
Through the collection of letters that Celie wrote, the reader could see the development of a frightened young woman who had little regard for herself and of another, Shug, who struggled to become a successful woman. In fact, Celie nearly struggled for her happiness her entire life. When she was only a little girl, her stepfather sexually abused her. He then sold her to a man named Mr. ____ who had no intention of loving her, No matter what Im thinking. No matter what I feel. It just him (Walker 69). Mr. ____ verbally and physically abused her.
He expected her to manage all the housework and demanded that she took care of his kids, They look at me there struggling with Mr. ____ children (Walker 45). If Celie refused, she was punished. Through all these traumatizing events, Celie lost respect for herself and forgot how to love. Her life was full of darkness without a single trace of light. However, Celie met a woman named Shug who gave her the courage to fight for what she believed in. Shug taught her how to laugh and play and showed Celie a whole new perspective of life.
Shug constantly reminded Celie to speak out if something was bothering her and to not do anything that she did not feel like doing, say whatever come to mind, forgit about polite (Walker 75). Celie was no longer afraid of Mr. ____. She stopped doing housework and left the dwelling to start her own business, You a lowdown dog is whats wrong. Its time to leave you and enter into the Creation. And your dead body just the welcome mat I need (Walker 207). She realized that women do not need men to survive because they can manage on their own.
Celie was a brand new woman. Moreover, Shug was a successful and powerful woman. She was a desirable blues singer who was creative and smart. However, her strong figure often deceived the readers mind into assuming that she was always an efficient person. In fact, Shug struggled tremendously to get where she was. She was once in love with Mr. ____. However, due to complications Mr. ____ never confronted his father about their love. This was because, Mr. ____s father preferred him to marry Annie Julia. Shug should have forgotten their brief love but she did not.
She tried to ruin their marriage in hope that he would come back to her but she was not successful. Nonetheless, after Annie Julia died, Mr. ____ was ready to rekindle their passion even though he was currently married to Celie. Along the way, Shug became seriously ill. Therefore, Mr. ____ arranged it so that Shug would move in with him and Celie. At first, Shug was filled with anger and jealousy towards Celie, She look me over from head to foot. Then she crackle. Sound like a death rattle. You sure is ugly, she say, like she aint believed it (Walker 48).
She was prepared to detest her but Celies warm and gentle heart allowed them to be friends. During their companionship, Celie nurtured and protected her. Through love and deep affection towards each other, Shug was able to let go of the past. She no longer yearned for Mr. ____s tenderness and the pain of losing him disappeared. She realized that he was a terrible man who could never fully love another, Anyhow, once you told me he beat you, and wont work, I felt different about him (Walker 114-115). Her illness vanquished and she became a healthy and blissful woman.
In the past, women had dreams of feeling free or being successful. Yet they never fulfilled their fantasies due to their inferiority to men. However, by helping one another and teaching them to feel alive, women could overcome all obstacles no matter what the given situation is. Women have conquered their subordinate status. They no longer need to feel degraded or mirthless because of men. Whether it be physical or emotional labor, woman could defeat their laborious dilemmas. In conclusion, despite the odds women can overcome all obstacles.