Post by kaitlyn on Sept 3, 2011 20:47:59 GMT -5
In The Color Purple, it clearly displays the Feminist Criticism approach. Walker, in the opening pages shows the severity of feminist injustice, by describing the repercussions of the main character being raped and abused. These actions interestingly follow along with the meanings of feminist criticism. "Feminist criticism shows how both female and male characters are portrayed in literature, by looking at how societal norms about sexual differences can be enforced or subverted." Many characters in this novel have faced this on going criticism; each facing it in different ways.
Celie's role in this novel can deeply show the meaning of this criticism. Walker portrayed Celie to be the character that never was looked at for her sexual advances, or her own good looks. Due to this characterization, Walker illustrates through Celie, one of the key effects of the Feminist Criticism: a institutional marriage.
In this institutional marriage, Celie was forced to endure the torture she tried to leave behind. Walker delicately illustrates feminine injustice and criticism when describing how the institutional marriage idea came about. On page 8 it states, " Well, next time you come you can look at her. She ugly. Don't even look like she kin to Nettie. But she'll make the better wife. She ain't smart either, and I'll just be fair, you have to watch her or she'll give away everything you own. But she can work like a man. Not only did this quote show feminist criticism, it also showed Gender studies as well. Fonso belittled Celie for being ugly, and was welling allow her to marry a man that did not care for her, or any women in society. He also portrayed her to be man and to do mans work. Walker wanted to show that this criticism depressed Celie's inhibitions, and created criticism toward the female sex through out society. This quote is the perfect example to illustrate Celie's feminist criticism in the novel, and to show the insanity and unwillingness of an institutional marriage.
In addition to Celie, Sofia also faced similar criticism. When Walker introduced Sofia, the reader could tell that she was a demanding and controlling character. Sofia was the antagonist in Harpo's desires to find his true calling. In his eyes, she always caused his downfalls, and it was always her fault for not being able to listen to a man's orders. Even though Sofia seemed like the controlling antagonist, Harpo severely criticized Sofia for not following the sexual/gender norms. Witnessing from a distance, Celie describes " I open the door cautious, thinking bout robbers and murders. Horsethieves and haunts. But it Harp and Sophia. They fighting like two mens. But it Harpo furniture they got is turned over. Every plate look like it broke. The looking glass hang crooked, the curtains torn. The bed look like the stuffing pulled out. They don't notice. They fight. He try to slap her. What he do that for? She reach down and grab a piece of stove wood and whack him cross the eyes. He punch her in the stomach, she double over groaning but come with both hands lock right under his privates. He roll on the floor. He grab her dress tail and pull. She stand there in her slip. She never blink a eye. He jump up to put a hammer lock under her chin, she throw him over her back. He fall bam up against the stove(38). In this quote, Walker describes the power struggle between Sofia and Harpo. This struggle, yet fueled by Sofia is caused by Harpo's feminist criticism about the ideal role of a woman. To Harpo, a woman's role was to listen and obey the orders of any man, and if not done, he would take consequence. Even though Sofia's criticism was angled at the portrayal of a Men vs. Women phenomenon, it is similar to criticism faced by Celie's institutional marriage.
In addition to Celie and Sofia, Shug Avery also faced feminist criticism throughout the novel. In her introductory pages, Shug was described to be a person who has self confidence, and worth. However, as illustrated later in the book, she is hiding behind a mask of her true self. Walker portrays Shug to be this tough and courageous soul, however Shug is just living in a back drop of lies. She is weak, driven by rush of sexual relations, and is unable to believe in herself. Being famous allows her to create a new life, along with lies, that no one can truly question. Shug relies on each hookup or one night stand to quench her thirst for love. Moving man to man each night again keeps her from answering questions that she cant deal with.Shug is taken advantage of because of her sex, her fame, and her inability to commit to any relationship. In so, Walker includes Shug in the novel to be the ultimate label for feminist criticism.
All in all, The Color Purple is the perfect novel to describe the Feminist Criticism approach. Walker wrote about three very different black women and how each faced criticism for being of the opposite sex. Celie was criticized for her appearance, and sexual relations, and was forced to marry Mr. in an institutional marriage. Sofia was controlling and demanding, but yet was criticized for not following by Harpo's definition of the traditional female role. Finally, Shug Avery was the ultimate feminist symbol. Shug was masked by her true self, and when so she was take advantage by her fame, sex, and inability to commit. This approach is seen solely through these characters, and throughout the novel.
Celie's role in this novel can deeply show the meaning of this criticism. Walker portrayed Celie to be the character that never was looked at for her sexual advances, or her own good looks. Due to this characterization, Walker illustrates through Celie, one of the key effects of the Feminist Criticism: a institutional marriage.
In this institutional marriage, Celie was forced to endure the torture she tried to leave behind. Walker delicately illustrates feminine injustice and criticism when describing how the institutional marriage idea came about. On page 8 it states, " Well, next time you come you can look at her. She ugly. Don't even look like she kin to Nettie. But she'll make the better wife. She ain't smart either, and I'll just be fair, you have to watch her or she'll give away everything you own. But she can work like a man. Not only did this quote show feminist criticism, it also showed Gender studies as well. Fonso belittled Celie for being ugly, and was welling allow her to marry a man that did not care for her, or any women in society. He also portrayed her to be man and to do mans work. Walker wanted to show that this criticism depressed Celie's inhibitions, and created criticism toward the female sex through out society. This quote is the perfect example to illustrate Celie's feminist criticism in the novel, and to show the insanity and unwillingness of an institutional marriage.
In addition to Celie, Sofia also faced similar criticism. When Walker introduced Sofia, the reader could tell that she was a demanding and controlling character. Sofia was the antagonist in Harpo's desires to find his true calling. In his eyes, she always caused his downfalls, and it was always her fault for not being able to listen to a man's orders. Even though Sofia seemed like the controlling antagonist, Harpo severely criticized Sofia for not following the sexual/gender norms. Witnessing from a distance, Celie describes " I open the door cautious, thinking bout robbers and murders. Horsethieves and haunts. But it Harp and Sophia. They fighting like two mens. But it Harpo furniture they got is turned over. Every plate look like it broke. The looking glass hang crooked, the curtains torn. The bed look like the stuffing pulled out. They don't notice. They fight. He try to slap her. What he do that for? She reach down and grab a piece of stove wood and whack him cross the eyes. He punch her in the stomach, she double over groaning but come with both hands lock right under his privates. He roll on the floor. He grab her dress tail and pull. She stand there in her slip. She never blink a eye. He jump up to put a hammer lock under her chin, she throw him over her back. He fall bam up against the stove(38). In this quote, Walker describes the power struggle between Sofia and Harpo. This struggle, yet fueled by Sofia is caused by Harpo's feminist criticism about the ideal role of a woman. To Harpo, a woman's role was to listen and obey the orders of any man, and if not done, he would take consequence. Even though Sofia's criticism was angled at the portrayal of a Men vs. Women phenomenon, it is similar to criticism faced by Celie's institutional marriage.
In addition to Celie and Sofia, Shug Avery also faced feminist criticism throughout the novel. In her introductory pages, Shug was described to be a person who has self confidence, and worth. However, as illustrated later in the book, she is hiding behind a mask of her true self. Walker portrays Shug to be this tough and courageous soul, however Shug is just living in a back drop of lies. She is weak, driven by rush of sexual relations, and is unable to believe in herself. Being famous allows her to create a new life, along with lies, that no one can truly question. Shug relies on each hookup or one night stand to quench her thirst for love. Moving man to man each night again keeps her from answering questions that she cant deal with.Shug is taken advantage of because of her sex, her fame, and her inability to commit to any relationship. In so, Walker includes Shug in the novel to be the ultimate label for feminist criticism.
All in all, The Color Purple is the perfect novel to describe the Feminist Criticism approach. Walker wrote about three very different black women and how each faced criticism for being of the opposite sex. Celie was criticized for her appearance, and sexual relations, and was forced to marry Mr. in an institutional marriage. Sofia was controlling and demanding, but yet was criticized for not following by Harpo's definition of the traditional female role. Finally, Shug Avery was the ultimate feminist symbol. Shug was masked by her true self, and when so she was take advantage by her fame, sex, and inability to commit. This approach is seen solely through these characters, and throughout the novel.
