The Color Purple Quote Analysis

During the early 1900’s, women were treated with less respect than men. They were obligated to be married at a young age and their education wasn’t a priority. Imagine being a black women during this time. That’s was how it was for Celie, a young black women in rural Georgia. Celie was raped by her father, had her two children taken away from her, and forced into marriage, where she is more a servant than a wife, before she was in her late 20’s. She had to live a life of ignorance and isolation until a women named Shug Avery came into her life. She opened Celie’s eyes to see the world in different ways and Celie admired her for that. Being a black women in the early American 1900’s was a life full of keeping your mouth shut, just to stay alive. As Celie grows up, she learns to be free from society's standards for women like her. By following the pathway full of symbols presented to her by her inspiration and Christ-like figure, Shug Avery, Celie was able to live the life she wanted.

The last thing that most people would say about Shug Avery to is that she’s like a Christ figure. But, she does show the characteristics of being one. Foster said “No literary Christ figure can ever be as pure, as perfect, as divine as Jesus Christ.” This quotes shows that even though Shug wasn’t the most pure person, she still has the possibility

Shug had persuaded Celie to make her own pants, but Celie was hesitant because she grew up knowing that only men wear pants. “Well, she say, looking me up and down, let’s make you some pants. What I need pants for? I say. I ain’t no man….I don’t know, I say. Mr._____ not going to let his wife wear pants.” But she wore them anyways and she loved them. This led her opening a business making pants. Her wearing pants symbolized Celie’s liberation from patriarchy and sexism. And also economic liberation as she is making money, which most women didn’t make very much back