It is stated in the previous explanation that Celie is a weak, passive, dependent, and conventional woman. Alice Walker begins to explore her idea of
feminism in Celies story with the presence of Shug Avery, a jazz and blues singer and also her husbands lover. Celie is asked to leave Mr.___ who never loves her
and always treats her not as her wife but more as his maid. It is the way of being free from male domination and getting her rights. Furthermore, the amendment
above has been a constitutional and legal recognition to guarantee women in getting their equality rights. It is also an important step in the right direction that
women have their rights in developing themselves. Shug Avery whose pride, independence, and appetite for living act as a
catalyst for Celie and others has made Celie awake and realize that she has rights to get her own life free, equal and an opportunity in developing her ability.
God creates men and women equal with some characteristically human natures that they are equal and free to develop their own abilities and to
find their happiness behind all their differences. You not my maid, I didnt bring you to Memphis to be that. I brought you here to have you and help
you get on your feet Walker 179. Later Celie dares to refuse Mr.____ and she is angry at him because he
forces Nettie to leave Celie away and keeps Netties letters. Leaving Mr.____ is the only way to get her freedom and equality. Celie said, “You took my sister
Nettie away from me, I say. And she was the only person love me in the world” Walker 170.
b. Celies Freedom
One of the absolute keys in getting happiness in human life is freedom. No one can do anything important in their life without freedom. Celie struggles to get
her lost rights as a free woman from her husband. It happens after the presence of Shug Avery in her marriage. Later she finds out from the letter which is found by
Shug that her sister, Nettie, the only person who can understand her still alive. Nettie said, “…I know you think I am dead. But 1 am not” Walker 100.
Humm explains in her book The Dictionary of The Feminist Theory that actually there are three areas of freedom which are described in feminism:
political, economic and sexual. Sexual freedom is not the most important aspect. Women have to define themselves not as the sexual objects but more as the sexual
aspect. It can be seen when Shug teaches her how to be a free woman and lives without a man. A woman can have her sexual relationship with another woman.
Shug teaches how to masturbate and introduces Celie into a lesbian relationship. Shug said, “Listen, she say, right down there in your pussy is a little button that
gits real hot when you do you know what with somebody…” Walker 69. Instead of Shug, Sofias role has given a good effect to her in getting her
freedom and confidence. Her behavior teaches Celie that a woman is not weak. Celies courage to fight Mr.____ is showed when Shug tells him that Celie will
come with her to Memphis but Mr.____ refuses it. Celie said, “You a lowdown dog is whats wrong, I say. Its time to leave you and enter into the Creation. And
your dead body just welcome mat I need” Walker 170. It is Celies first time to fight Mr,____s order because Celie has realized that she deserves to get her rights
as a free woman with the equal rights.
c. Celies Independence
Another stereotype of female inferiority in The Color Purple is dependence. The female weakness has brought her to be dependent on someone
else especially to male. It has been a disadvantage for women to develop their abilities. Linda Brannon explains in her book Gender; Psychological Perspective
that women are more as the opposition of men in a number of ways. They are more passive, dependent, pure, refined and delicate. Meanwhile men are active,
independent and strong. For some people living in dependence can bring them to the monotonous life because they cannot decide the best thing for them easily.
After moving to Memphis with Shug, Celie changes her opinion that womens duties are not only doing the domestic duties. Later Celie develops her
ability in making pants no matter that she is black, because Celie has rights in developing herself like the white woman, rights to be treated equal. As stated in
the Declaration of Independence on 4th July 1776, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator
with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” Zilversmith 145.
Later Celie succeeds as an independent woman who has a pants factory with many female employees in it. Shug’s role in making Celie to be an
independent woman is important. She gives Celie motivation and her house as Celies business field. Shug said, ”…and lets us just go ahead and give you this
dining room for your factory and git you some more women here to cut and sew,
while you sit back and design. You making your living, Celie, she say. Girl, you on your way” Walker 181.
d. Celies Opportunity
