Abstract:The Color Purple is regarded as Alice Walker’s masterpiece of womanism (the word she designed for the black feminist). This study aims to investigate the novel through the analysis on the heroine Celie’s womanist awakening and the causes of her awakening. It analyzes Celie’s womanist awakening from four angles: Celie’s efforts in revolting against the oppression of racism and sexism, Celie’s gaining of economic independence and the breaking of physical and psychological shackles by Celie. Besides, the paper analyzes the causes of Celie’s awakening. The help from Celie’s paragon-- Shug, the encouragement from her sister-- Nettie and the influence of her step daughter-in-law-- Sophia. All of these play an important role in Celie’s awakening and with their help Celie finally becomes a womanist. The paper concludes that factors such as womanism and sisterhood help Celie gain her awakening and Celie sets an example for black women to fight for their own liberation and freedom.

Key words: The Color Purple; womanism; awakening

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction1

  1.1 Alice Walker and The Color Purple

  1.2 Womanism

2. Awakening of Celie’s Womanism.3

  2.1 Revolting against the Oppression of Racism

  2.2 Fighting against the Oppression of Sexism

  2.3 Making Efforts to Gain Economic Independence

  2.4 Breaking Physical and Psychological Shackles

3. 3. Causes of Celie’s Awakening.7

  3.1 Help of Paragon

  3.2 Encouragement from Celie’s Sister

  3.3 Influence of aughter-in-law

4. Conclusion.9

Bibliography.11

Acknowledgements12