Good Historical Reference Thesis Example

The color Purple novel was published in 1982 by Alice Walker. Alice worker was actively involved with civil rights movement and was also advocating for the blacks rights. As such she was involved with the mobilization of black voter registration. The novel was published during the time, that the racism and erosion of the African American traditions were at the peak. The Color Purple, therefore, capture these problems as its main themes. Walker was after addressing this problem in the society. In the novel, he chronicles the bitter struggle of the black women on the outskirts of Georgia during the early twentieth century. Nonetheless, the book created many controversies as the African-American male critics complained that the book confirmed the old racist stereotypes in regard to pathology among the blacks and precisely men.
Between mid-1960s and early 1970s, the African American women were in a position that can be described as difficult. The women had chosen to raise against the oppression, and mistreatment they faced from their male counterparts as well as racism. In spite the large numbers of the feminist movements, their troubles could not be easily solved. Within the movements, they were discriminated by the white feminists. Also, their contribution to these movements was deemphasized by the African American men, always weakened by the white society. The Color Purple novel describes sexism and racism, as a true representation of the social contexts within which the novel was written. Celie, the main narrator, and protagonist, depicts some internalized oppression through advising Harpo to beat up Harpo since she was also being treated the same way. In her novel, almost all the abusers are one-dimensional monsters and stereotypical who can be categorized as evil. All of those who perpetuate the violence are either victim of racism, sexism or paternalism.
It was also during this period that the traditional gender roles were being disrupted. There have been differences in cultural gender roles standards within United States and its cultures. Within United States, the standards differed depending on age, ethnicity and occupation. For instance, African American families have been less likely to conform to the strict gender roles differences when socializing their children. During 1960s and 1970s, the African American men changed their attitudes in regard to the role of the African black women. Women together with men could no longer recognize the gender roles within their traditions. This was captured in the Color Purple novel. In the novel, many characters crossed the boundaries of the traditional gender roles. The novel captures the reality that was going on during that time in the United States. This did lead to societal problems such as insecurity, violence and mistrust. Therefore, the novel defies and subverts the traditional manner that we understand men to be men and women to be women.
In addition, the earlier part of the twentieth century was characterized by the rise of feminism. Women had gathered courage to start advocating their rights and fight against oppression and dominance by men. The African American women during 1960s and 1970s were joining the feminist movement in masses in spite facing discrimination among the white feminists. The novel also in its set up represents the voice of the woman. It portrays how female friendship is a means by which women can gather the courage to give their stories, which in turn could allow them to fight and resist dominance and oppression.

Annotated Bibliography

Averbach, Magara. “An overview of The Color Purple.” Literature Resource Center. Detroit:

Gale, 2012 Print.

Written in a style of a series of letters, Walker Alice’s Novel depicts the transformation of the women from the African American community from psychologically and physically abused persons to what Alice has elsewhere referred to as ‘Womanist’, an independent and strong person who re-creates herself through legacy of her ancestors. Celie is influenced by her friend Shug, to mature into a courageous person who can challenge the traditional social values which have often kept her down. The book has received numerous criticism due to its clear depiction of the domestic violence, homosexual relationships, incestuous and its apparently irreligious themes. As a result, several schools and libraries had burned the book from its shelves.
In 1986, The Color Purple book was produced as a film by Steven Spielberg as well as Walker, who acted as a consultant. The film won the Academy Award nominations though it never won the Oscars perhaps because of the criticism it received particularly from the prominent African Americans. The critics being led by Charles Jonson and Ishmael Reed who were authors complained that the book together with the film perpetuated negative stereotype hence did more harm to the society. In addition, the critics advised that Alice Walker should concentrate his writings not in intercultural conflict but mainly in intercultural conflicts. Further, they complained that the book depicted too much of violence and sexual harassment which did not create the clear picture of what it was happening among the blacks. Walker's writings offer a sense of art and experience which represents critical response and traditional artistic.