The Color Purple Self Analysis

What is self? The President’s Council on Bioethics, describes self as one’s, “embodied soul”, and something that, “emerges, grows, and changes,” (110 – 111). From reading Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, we can learn a lot about a character’s self, specifically that of the main protagonist, Celie. It was understood from the beginning that Celie did not live an easy life. She had to endure many trials and tribulations throughout her lifetime, and it was those trials and tribulations that made her the woman who she became near the end of the novel. Celie’s self can be defined in two parts: the brokenness and abuse she endures as an individual, and her transition into a strong, independent woman.
First and foremost, Celie was a broken individual. All her life she was abused and taken advantage of by various characters. For example, Celie explains, “He start to choke me, saying You better shut up and git used to it. But I don’t never git used to it,” (2). This quote details an example of the abuse Celie endured in life, and gives reason to why she is emotionally broken. Celie also details, “I don’t argue,” (Walker 53). This quote gives insight to the effects of the abuse she endured. …show more content…
In the novel, Celie shifts from allowing others to do with her as they please, to becoming an individual who stands up for herself, and does not allow anyone take advantage of her. For instance, Celie declares, “You a lowdown dog is what’s wrong, I say. It’s time to leave you and enter into the Creation. And your dead body just the welcome mat I need,” (207). This quote illustrates the strength and independence she gains. From the text, it can be inferred that Celie has finally stood up to Mr.____, and with that being so she no longer requires the permission of others to live her life. In final analysis, Celie experiences a change from feeble to