Celie's Transformation

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When people grow up in rough conditions it can be very difficult for them to turn their lives around for the better. There are countless stories of people growing up with a history of rape, assault and other various forms of abuse and it being very hard for them to turn their lives around. Alice Walker, the author of the novel The Color Purple, experienced many hardships in her life that she eventually overcame. Similarly, the protagonist in her novel, Celie, grew up with physical and mental abuse starting from a young age. She was raped by her Stepfather and even when she was placed in a marriage, the abuse did not stop. Celie was incapable of enjoying her life and was unable to stand up for herself. She was shaped by various people throughout …show more content…

Celie’s transformation would not be complete without the people who came into her life and helped her transform into a new person. One very influential person in Celie’s life was Shug Avery. Before Celie had even met Shug, she was already infatuated by her and had an urge to meet her. Celie says “Lord, I wants to go so bad. Not to dance. Not to drink. Not to play card. Not even to hear Shug Avery sing. I just be thankful to lay eyes on her.” Even though Shug was initially rude to her by saying “You sure is ugly” (Walker 46), Celie still thinks of her …show more content…

Celie has never had positive sexual experiences until she is introduced to Shug Avery. As Daniel W. Ross says “Psychoanalysis demonstrates the crucial role Shug Avery plays in her development, especially in reconciling Celie with her own body” (Celie in the Looking Glass). Shug and Celie were intimate and this was truly a life changing moment for Celie. Shug completely transforms Celie’s sexual life, almost as if her life truly began at the first moment of intimacy with Shug. Because Celie’s sexual life was completely transformed, she was able to change other parts of her life as well. Shug even goes as far as saying “Why Miss Celie, she say, you still a virgin” (Walker 77), because Celie never enjoyed her previous sexual experiences before Shug.

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