ability to endure under the pressure is a key to survival. She manages to withstand the sexual abuse of Fonso, her step father, the loss of her babies, the cold cruelity
of Albert, her husband, the loss of her sister, Nettie, besides living in poverty, struggles and prejudice. But she never gives up. She writes letter to God, trusting
that he will eventually bless her life.
“but I don’t know how to fight. All I know how to do is stay alive” Walker, 1982 : 2618, “I don’t say anything, I stay where I’m told. But I’m
alive” Walker, 1982 : 29, it seems that she can bear all the sorrows happened to her. Before Nettie leaves Celie’s husband’d home, Celie talks with her, “ it worse
than that, I think if I was buried, I wouldn’t have to work, but I just say, never mine, never mine, long as I can spell G-O-D, I got somebody along” Walker,
1982 : 26 her action of addressing God suggests Celie’s alienation, loneliness, and marginality.
4.2 Celie’s Changing Character
Identity is the individual characteristics by which a thing or a person is recognized or known. In addition, a person’s identity is influenced by herhis
society; where and with whom shehe associates herhis self with. As stated in “Self Identity”, n.d.: par. 1, “Peoples identity is rooted in their identifications; in
what they associated themselves with. What a person associates him or herself with is ultimately who that person is, for all identity is ultimately in relationship
something else.” In the beginning of the novel, the author shows the young black girl facing
the sexual abuse from her step father. Untill she marries, she gets an abusive from
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her husband, Albert. She writes all the events she faces addresed to God. It seems that the author wants to show how Celie feels the loneliness, alienation, and
marginality. On the other hand, the time goes by finally Celie’s individuality starts to
take shape and her sense of self becomes stronger. Now Celie writes a letter is not addressed to God. She writes all her experiences to Nettie, in addition she
consciously signs the letter, either as Celie, your sister Celie, or “amen”, while she never signs all her letters when she addresses them to God. It means that she Celie
starts going to be a strong growth of herself respect and feels that her own experiences is something meaningful for others.
Celie’s changing character is influenced by the society in which she lives. Other characters who are inspired her. They are Shug Avery, Nettie, and Sofia.
Sofia is a strong woman who does not depen on men. She influences Celie’s thought that woman mustn’t be obedient to what men said. Nettie is a very
inspiring character for Celie. Celie learns much about religion and other relating Nettie’s stories. Sending letter is Nettie’s way to expand Celie’s view about the
world. Nettie becomes primary source for Celie to see the world. The last character inspiring her changing much is Shug Avery. Shug takes a big part in
reshaping Celie. She is an independent woman blues singer who teaches Celie how to be herself and self confident.
Celie can strongly fight back against her husband Mr. __ by giving remark of his speaking, “you black, you pore, you ugly, you a woman.” Walker 1982 :
213, when she decides to go to Memphis, Celie starts growing, she remarks “I’m pore, I’m black, I may be ugly and can’t cook, a voice sayy to everything
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listening. But I’m here.” Walker 1982 : 214 Celie seems to be self-confident facing Albert’s statement.
At last, Celie becomes a powerful individual. She is not depend on men, brave, self confident, economically and socially empowered woman.
4.3 Some Factors That Change Celie 4.3.1
