Women and Literacy in Alice Walker's The Color Purple

     E. Yvette Walter's dissects Celie, the main character, in the film The Color Purple. Based on the novel by Alice Walker, the story begins with Celie writing letters to God desperately seeking help and salvation from her current life. Celie and her sister Nettie live with their father who continually harasses and sexually molest her. Trapped by her father's dictatorship and lack of opportunity Celie is thrown into a loveless marriage to a man only known a Mr. ___while Nettie is given the chance to go to school. Mr.____ is a cruel man who uses Celie for domestic chores and also physically and emotionally abuses her. The Color Purple documents Celie's journey of self-discovery and strength.

     Celie in the beginning of the film doesn't value herself because her self esteem is depended upon the opinions of others. Through out her existence Celie has been told she's ugly, dumb and other demeaning adjectives and in return she's internalized those thoughts. Alice Walker strategically places strong woman in Celie's path in order for her to recognize the beauty and genius within herself. Though Celie has no formal education through the help of Nettie's knowledge, composing letters and the occasionally reading Celie obtains proper literacy. Each woman in the drama represents a different type of literacy that Celie must teach herself. Nettie obviously represent formal education and a family literacy. Sofia standing for a strong, black woman who's worth isn't determined by a man or any other authority. And Shug Avery who epitomizes true love for loves and self. With the help of these defining women, "Celie has fallen in love with herself and can laugh about the past" (p. 143). Through Alice Walker's prose Celie is recognize the charisma she possesses that is defined by herself image and not another person's opinion.