Analytical Essay On The Color Purple

Celie, the protagonist from The Color Purple, written by Alice Walker, develops greatly throughout the story. The story takes place in the 1900’s in the south. Celie endures many hardships throughout her life and she has never fought for herself until she was influenced by other women in her life. When the reader first meets Celie she is fourteen years old by the end she is at least sixty. Celie had many women who influenced her throughout the story, her sister Nettie, her friend Sofia, and the person she loves and admires Shug Avery.
Nettie is Celie’s younger sister, is a very intelligent woman who went to Africa as a missionary. “You better not never tell nobody but God, it'd kill your mammy” (Walker, 2003, pg. 1). When Nettie and Celie were young their mother died from illness, as a result, their step dad raped Celie, destroying her self confidence. Celie was dropped out of school, and later married a man named Albert who she calls Mister. Nettie came to live with Celie to escape from their father; however, Nettie had to escape and endure
Sofia is a vigorous woman and very fractious. “I say it cause i’m jealous of you, I say it cause you do what I can’t, what that? she say, Fight, I say” ( Walker, 2001, pg. 40 ). When Celie first met Sofia she was afraid of her, but now they’re great friends. Sofia is known to be an eccentric woman, Celie has seen Sofia beat her husband and other people as well. This woman even went to jail for hitting the town mayor but as a result she was ostracized by her friends and had a bad relationship with her young children. While this is an innate feature in Sofia, Celie sees this and she’s jealous of Sofia because she's able to fight, Celie only knows how to survive. Sofia’s behaviour is exemplary to Celie, she has taught her how to fight and stand up for herself just by surveying her. Another woman impacted Celie's life the most and her name is Shug