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Analysis of celie throughout the colour purple

Celie is in a position of complete powerlessness throughout the beginning letters. She is so powerless that the only person she can talk to is God, and even then she is forced to write letters rather than pray.
Celie first loses the ability to control her own life when her mother dies. This forces her to assume the duties of her mother. Through rapes and beatings she is completely dominated by Pa, who treats her like a slave. The only living person who provides Celie with friendship and comfort is her sister Nettie.
Celie is strongly disempowered by sex. The novel starts with her being raped by Pa, showing an immediate inability to resist on her part. When she is married to Mr. _______, he mistreats her as much as Pa did. Sex is described by Celie as something which is done to her, but never as something which she enjoys. Thus, sex with Mr. _______ reduces her status to that of an object which lies there and waits for it to be over.
Sex also plays a crucial role in empowering the...

Posted by: Andres Cisneros

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