An Analysis Of The Color Purple From The Perspective Of Womanism

Alice Walker (1944- ) is an outstanding modern Afro-American woman writer who is called the defender of the black race and black women. She devotes her entire life to the study of black women and the pursuit of racial equality and women's liberation. She puts forward the term"womanism"and distinguishes it from the traditional feminism. In her book In Search of Our Mothers'Gardens: Womanist Prose, Walker gives the four characteristics of womanism: anti-sexism, anti-racism, Afracentrism and Humanism. In her famous novel The Color Purple, the four characteristics of womanism are perfectly embodied, and this thesis illustrates these four characteristics from this theme.This thesis first introduces Alice Walker and the writing background of her The Color Purple. Then it explores the origin of womanism from Walker's double identities and her background of growth, briefly introducing the definition of womanism and illustrating its four characteristics. On the basis of theoretical explanation, this thesis analyzes the double oppression of sexism and racism black women suffers, and their resistance and awaking which are embodied in The Color Purple. It holds that Afracentrism is the source of black women's strength. Through understanding their race, black women establish historical consciousness and self-consciousness, and understand that they have the right to become themselves. Finally, this thesis analyzes the humanist spirit which advocates tolerance, equality and fraternity. In The Color Purple, the final reconciliation and acceptance among races and black women and men picture the ideal mode of existing which is full of love, tolerance and harmony.