Introduction
The epistolary novella “Color Purple” is a story of resilience and great transformation where the author gives a lot of ideas on relationships of friendship, oppressive domination, courage, and the quest for independence. In it she relates the story of Celie, a woman with a phenomenal rise from one oppressed and dependent, and climaxes at the emancipated self at the end of the book.
As readers, we perceive these through the eyes of the sisters Celie and Netie as they narrate the fateful life the young lady, her fights through the physical and emotional abuse. As a child she is raped by the stepfather and has two children. These experiences make her more inclined to a bisexual life, especially the one she (Celie) has with Shugs, Mr. ______”s mistress. This relationship brings one aspect of the lesbianism that is expressed in the book.
Main Body
It must be however stated that lesbianism exists in the book but it does not vividly come out in the book by any graphic illustrations. There are two ways to perceive lesbianism in the book. First, this term could be taken to mean the traditional understanding where there is romantic or sexual relationship or attraction between two females living together. It could also mean the female expression of dissatisfaction with male domination or institutions such as Patriarchy or capitalism that result in the alienation of the female gender. Similarly, it can also be a relationship where the female partners avoid the conventional married life and resist male tyranny at all cost.
Lesbianism can occur to the women who live or work together in a platonic or a more emotional level. In the book we see a number of female characters who seem orientated in one or both forms of lesbianism. Shug’s and Celie’s relationship is the most pronounced in the book. When Celie first see Shug in a photograph, she remarks that “the most beautiful woman I ever saw.” Shugs on the other hand initially insults Celie as “Surely Ugly” in their first meeting, they become close, makes Celie begin to appreciate her worth and engage in lesbianism. in another instance when she arrives home for Christmas, they are left alone in the house Shugs asks to stay warm in Celie’s bed with her.
After Celies reveals her rape ordeal to her, she puts her arms around her and they both cry, after some time they begin to touch each other and kiss, she goes to her room when the men return. this is not surprising at all because the love affair between the two has been suspected until this point of physical engagement. the other female relationships suspected are that between Eleanor and Sofia. Eleanor Miss Millie’s daughter tries her best to make Sofia care for her like she does for Sofia. unfortunately her efforts to persuade Sofia are unsuccessful.
The second lesbian relationship of revolt against oppression is also vivid in the life of many characters. the ladies provide emotional strength to each other to ward off male chauvinism. the contrast that existed between them become less distinct. Sofia tells Celie that she ought to bash Mr._____ head open. (Walker 44). This could be a way to edge Celie away from passivity. at the same time Shug inspires Celie to view love life and god with a new perspective. From this point of feminism we see her transform from an hitherto timid, young and vulnerable to a confident woman who has learned what it means to love and be loved and succeeds through the opportunities she takes advantage of.
It is a rebirth of Celie into oneness with self and others and even the world perception of what is beyond understanding and love. It unites the women as comrades in a spiritual journey of discovery and challenge of the status quo. As a result, they fight for their survival and that of their families. Celie is able as a result of this too set up her own business and work in the same house her father did work in.
When she incorporates trousers- a symbol of masculinity- into her wardrobe it shows her entry in “masculinity”. She thus becomes not only confident but also self supporting. This independence comes when Shugs grants her financial assistance. at the end of the novel her submissive temperament disappears and is replaced by words of audacity previously uncommon to her. for instance when she says that she is pore, black, may be ugly and cannot cook but present! the readers can only marvel at the transformation and emancipation she has undergone and the achievement of a sense of self-respect. Sofia and Shug enables Celie to be an independent, confident, and resilient woman.
Works Cited
Foster Jeanette Sex variant Women in Literature: A Historical and quantitative survey. New York: Vantage Press, (1956).
Walker, Alice The Color Purple. New York: Pocketbooks, 1982.