the color purple

A detailed Summary of the color purple

For people to be equal they need a chance to become equal by self-discovering themselves. As we are growing older during our childhood we depend on our environment, parents, and peers to create our self-image. It is under our surroundings in which we are always trying to develop new insights in order to identify, clarify, connect and account for our beliefs. Even the underlying cause of dysfunctional relationships lies in crucial events in our life experience. The environment in which one is raised and developed will have a large affect on the individual. Most of the people that succeed in life come from stable families, in well positioned environments. While those that are not fortunate enough often don't have the opportunities to rise to the top or even get a chance to self-discover themselves. Self-discovery is important because it is intended to increase an individual's self-awareness, and help them to identify their own beliefs, skills, potentials, and talents. But when an individual is forced or destined to grow up in an atmosphere in which there doesn't exist a stable and firm family or environment, it will generally be hard for the individual to self-discover himself an

d succeeded in life. These kinds of individuals that grow up under these circumstances mainly suffer from depressions, sadness, and most importantly from low self-esteem. They suffer from low self-esteem because they were raised in low standard environments. Their personalities are excessively sensitive to social rejection, humiliation, and shame. One of the greatest literary examples of this situation is Celie, the main character in the book The Color Purple by Alice Walker. "Devoid of any and all respect, Celie, a persecuted African-American woman suppressed by tyrannical rule sparked from the agonizing, torturous fires of ignorance and egocentrism, prevailed against the incessant degradation of society's superiors, . . .a man's world"(Klosowski 4). As a result of Celie's environment she never get's a fair opportunity to self-discover until she gets away from her surroundings.

Klosowski, John E. "The Color Purple and Its True Color." Houston Cronicle. December 14, 1995 : 42-44.

The book is truly a book about self-discovery and learning to love. Celie's path is an expression of all people's quest for themselves. The novel is the story of a timid woman finding herself. She did so with the love and support of the women in the novel who understood and loved her, under a save and secure environment. With out this untraditional love a Celie would have lived her life shadowed by fear and pain. Celie's journey through her mind, in an effort to discover her true self, is where the true greatness of this book lies.

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However, Celie does get the chance to discover herself when she is exposed under the presence of the other women in the novel. Celie undergoes several changes brought about by her contact with other people and a change of surrounding. Since Celie has many misconceptions of herself and her world due to her upbringing of pain and mistreatment, and her ignorance of a better world. Her image of herself and her own potential were very low. The story of Celie's growth and self-discovery is the main theme in the novel. which she achieved through her own commitment to herself and through the help of strong women, namely Nettie, Sofia, and Shug. In her young life, the only person who took the time to care for and encourage Celie was her sister Nettie. Despite the physical, sexual, and verbal abuse Celie suffered in the hands of her stepfather and husband she was able to overcome it with the help of Nettie. Nettie who later in the book serves as a silent confidante to Celie, taught her that education was important in developing a high self-esteem. "helping me with spell

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Approximate Word count = 1832
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English