Abstract:Alice Walker is one of the most remarkable and influential Afro-American writer in contemporary American literary canon. She once participated and played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Liberation Movement and regarded black women’s liberation and independence as her life career. Her masterpiece, The Color Purple, explores a woman’s arduous journey from numbness to awakening and finally to self-realization and creation of her new life. 

Based on the theory of womanism, the thesis tends to analyze the heroine Celie’s awakening of self-awareness with the help of sisterhood and explores the influence of her awakening on the patriarchal society. Black women’s liberation brings about the positive transformation of black men, which promotes the establishment of harmonious relationship between the two genders. It is hoped that through this paper readers can have a better understanding of the text and the author.

Key words: awakening  Celie  self-awareness  The Color Purple  womanism

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Introduction to Alice Walker-1

1.2 Introduction to The Color Purple-2

1.3 Literary Review-2

1.4 Structure of the Thesis-3

Chapter Two Womanism-4

2.1 Background of Womanism-4

2.2 Definition of Womanism-4

Chapter Three Awakening of Celie’s Self-Awareness-6

3.1 Celie’s Absence of Self- Awareness-6

3.2 Celie’s Awakening with the Help of Sisterhood-7

3.2.1 Sisterhood Between Celie and Sofia-7

3.2.2 Sisterhood Between Celie and Nettie-8

3.2.3 Sisterhood Between Celie and Shug-9

3.3 Celie’s Gaining of Independence-9

3.3.1 Physical Independence-10

3.3.2 Spiritual Independence-10

3.3.3 Financial Independence-10

Chapter Four Influence of the Awakening of Celie’s Self-Awareness-12

4.1 Black Men’s Growth-12

4.1.1 Mr_’s Transformation-12

4.1.2 Harpo’s Transformation-12

4.2 Harmony Between Black Men and Women-13

Charapter Five Conclusion-15

References-16