The Symbolic Features in The Color Purple

The Symbolic Features in The Color Purple

Abstract

The Color Purple is written by Alice Walker, a well-known African American novelist. Thematically, it is first and foremost about African American women’s growth against the social oppression, especially the spiritual world of the women living at the lowest rung. Celie, the heroine of the novel, has been exposed to abuse of various kinds, but finally reconstructs the self-esteem and gets the consciousness of women’ s rights. In the novel, there are several symbolic features denoting certain meanings, which are the color purple, God, letters, pants, etc. Each of them symbolizes a specific period of Celie life that reflects her sufferings and survivals.

Key words: the color purple; symbolic features; feminism

摘要

《紫色》是美国黑人女权作家艾丽丝?沃克的著名作品之一。从主题意义上讲，这部作品是关于美国黑人妇女抵抗压迫的发展历程，尤其描述社会最底层妇女的精神生活。小说的主人公西莉曾遭受过残酷的虐待，但她最终重新获得女性尊严和女权意识。在整部小说中，紫色、上帝、信件等具有象征性的意象在故事发展的不同时期以其特有的象征内涵出现在其中。它们均反应出西莉在不同生活阶段所遭受的境遇和艰难的抗争。

关键词：紫色；象征性意象；女权运动

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Contents

Introduction-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3

Ⅰ. The symbolic functions of colors--------------------------------------------------------------------------4

1.1. Purple--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4 1.2. Red -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5 1.3. Black --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 1.4. Yellow -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7

Ⅱ. The reflections of Celie’s inner mind --------------------------------------------------------------------7

2.1. Letters -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7 2.2. God ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8

Ⅲ. Activities of black women -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------9

3.1. Quilting -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9 3.2. Pants-making ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10 3.3. Blues- singing---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10 3.3.1. The relations between Blues- singing and colors --------------------------------------------------------11

Ⅳ. Conclusion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12 Ⅴ. Bibliography ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13

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Introduction

Alice Walker, an outstanding Afro- American woman writer, denotes herself to feminism and women’s identify-seeking. Her masterpiece, The Color Purple, deals with black women in the rural South during the first half of the twentieth century. It is about the main character, Celie, who has been encountered with physically and emotionally abuse, eventually gets self- reconstruction and leads her own life. The theme of The Color Purple reflects Walker’s desire to black women’s self-worth, which suggests the author’s positive attitude towards life.

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Ⅰ.

1.1. Purple-----Symbolizing independence and elegance

Purple symbolizes elegance, authority and dignity. At the beginning of the story, Celie does not wear purple clothes, which suggests that she has not got independence and self- identity. Owning to Shug’s help, Celie begins to make a living by herself, gets independence on economy. She sets up Folks Pants Unlimited Company, and then makes pants for one of her sisters, Sofia. She chooses red and purple in the pants, which shows that Celie begins to get dignity. At the end of the story, decorated with red and purple, she possesses her own house and gets anything she likes to adorn her room. The changing of colors indicates that, faced with the future, she becomes optimistic towards life. Albert, the husband of Celie, has carved a purple frog to her as a gift. It denotes the recognition for Celie, the equality of black men and women, and the respect that the black women regain.

Meanwhile, purple stands for homosexuality. When black women are oppressed and have no right to make resistance, homosexuality is a way for them to develop their own life style. Influenced by the tradition, it is also the cultural extension of black women. In order to get rid of men’ s control, women should join together, caring themselves, and loving each other. Only in this way can they become strong and independence, which contributes to gaining their self- identity.

In the story, it is Shug’s love that help Celie to reconstruct herself physically and emotionally. Before she comes, Celie lives for her distant sister pessimistically. All the changes take place when she meets Shug, a kindhearted girl full of confidence. Shug has a reputation as a woman of dubious morals who dresses scantily, has some sort of “nasty woman disease,” and is abandoned by her parents. However, Celie gradually gets something more in Shug. When she looks at Shug’s photos, she is attracted by Shug’ s unique appearance which calls up the memory of her mother. With their relationship developing, Shug takes the roles of mother, sister, lover, and friend. She enlightens Celie to realize the mystery of body and sexuality. Giving her a sense of belonging, Shug encourages her to fight for independence and freedom. The most important is, it is Shug who frees Celie from old ideas. Influenced by Shug, Celie gets a fresh understanding of God. She believes that God means spirit, and he stands for human’s identity. From then on, Celie begins to strive for independence, equality and dignity of being a woman. After several years for making efforts, Celie comes into the property that is rightfully hers and becomes independent. She achieves rebirth. All the time she prospers, Alert, her husband, goes down slope. He loses his will to life,

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becomes an alcoholic, and almost dies. He survives, becomes friends with Celie, and helps her with her sewing. It turns out that he has for years kept Nettie’s letters to Celie. The moment Celie is informed; she extremely bursts out killing her husband. Under the guide of Shug, she gives up revenging and begins to feel happy for knowing that Nettie has been fine all the years, married to the missionary after his wife dies. Celie reads Nettie’s letters and starts to writes to her. Then she learns that the missionary’s two children are adopted, and are in fact Celie’ s blood and flesh. They come back from Africa and reunite with Celie. Eventually, being a happy and independent woman, Celie gets a purple dress symbolizing elegance and dignity.

Throughout The Color Purple, there is no sexuality between Celie and Shug. In turn, filled with warmth, they take care of each other and gradually grow self- awareness. As for Walker, though he does not speak highly of homosexuality, it is the female relationship that help Celie get rid of the miserable condition. Celie, who has been enslaved by her husband for several years, is thirsty for the pure relationship between black women. Fortunately, it is essential for her to pursue an independent life. At the end of the story, with Mr._ continuously taking care of Celie, her tendency of homosexuality has gradually decreased. From then on, Celie believes that she can also be happy without Shug. Eventually, she builds a harmony relation with her husband and leads a happy life.

Apparently, under the dominance of men, women have to join together to fight against men’s oppression. Walker portrays female homosexuality as a means for women to summon the courage to tell stories. These stories allow them to fight against oppression and men’s dominance. Relationships among women form a refuge, providing reciprocal love in a world filled with male violence.

Putting The Color Purple as the title, Walker aims to establishing the social status of black women, even encourages them to gain the dignity of emperor. As for the denotation of purple itself, it symbolizes black women’s independence and dignity. Once Celie gets self- identity, she could have the right to enjoy the purple, her most favoring color. 1.2. Red-----Symbolizing happiness and vigor

Red is the symbol of enthusiasm, excitement and happiness. Before Celie gets freedom, she is not allowed to be in red due to its extreme brightness. Obviously, it is not suitable for Celie because she never feels happy. Sophia is the first person that makes her question her life. Sofia is a strong black woman, who will fight with anyone attempting to bully her. Having accepted the patriarchal ideology without any resistance, Celie is so envious of Sofia’s courage and strength. However, facing Sofia, she cannot hide self- guilty and confesses her jealousy. Sofia forgives Celie and tells her to struggle for independent life.

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