Celie from Alice Walker’s “
The Colour Purple”
From an early age, Celie is subjected to a life of abuse and is told she is ugly. Because of this she shies away in silence, and learns to hide her smile. When alone Celie's talks to God - to Celie God is a remote figure whom she fears doesn’t much care for her.
Celie does little to fight back against her stepfather, Alphonso – and soon finds herself pregnant with his children – both of whom die. She is then married off to an equally abusive man, who separates her from her beloved sister Nettie. Then along comes Shug Avery, a strong beautiful woman, who slowly over time becomes closer & closer to Celie. Shug helps Celie restore pride in herself by showing her love and tenderness. Celie once again learns to smile and develops the courage to fight back.
Celie’s new found self worth transforms her into a creative, successful, independent woman whom life has seen fit to shower with happiness. This comes through being reunited with her long lost sister & her own children whom she believed were dead.
The colour purple won the Pulitzer prize for fiction in 1983 and was later developed into an acclaimed film.
“Listen, God love everything you love—and a mess of stuff you don’t. But more than anything else, God love admiration….Not vain, just wanting to share a good thing. I think it pisses God off if you walk by the colour purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.”
