Abstract

Since several centuries ago, females had started to make efforts to change the inequality between males and females. In order to support the feminism movements, large numbers of female writers provided various works to describe the tragic experiences of females in patriarchy system. In the novel, The Color Purple, the great changes happening to the protagonist Celie was descried. In fact, Celie changed from a tolerant housewife to a lady who could depend on herself to make a living. Owning to the great aesthetic value of this novel, the analysis of such a work could help readers broaden their horizon and know more about the feminism concept of Alice Walker. In this thesis, the growth of this protagonist Celie will be analyzed in details. At first, the double depressions torturing Celie was analyzed; then the deep influence of other females on Celie’s growth was analyzed, including Nettie, Sophia and Shug;at last, the development of Celie’s self-awakening was analyzed. The analysis in this thesis will help readers know more about the efforts made by females to fight for equality and freedom in the 20th century. 

Keywords: Alice Walker; The Color Purple; Growth of females; Celie

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1  Introduction-1

2  Double Oppression-4

2.1 Racial oppression-5

2.2 Sexual oppression-6

3  Influence from Female-8

3.1 Sisterhood with Nettie-8

3.2 Friendship with Shug Avery-9

3.3 Strength from Sofia-10

4  Celie's self-awakening-11

4.1 Influence from religion-11

4.2 Change of Celie’s self-knowledge-12

5  Conclusion-14

Bibliography-15

Acknowledgments-16