English Literature: Comparing Texts on the Colour Purple by Alice Walker Essay Example

establish their autonomy, all while confronting the adverse effects of their environment. Despite their endeavors, neither of them finds happiness effortlessly.

Jeanette is trying to break free from her mother's suffocating control and live the life she wants, while Celie is under the oppressive dominance of her husband Albert. The types of control they face are different, with Jeanette dealing with female dominance and Celie facing male dominance, which aligns with the experiences of other men in the novel during her formative years.

During Celie's childhood and early adolescence, she experienced abuse from her stepfather, and her only source of support was her sister. As a result of enduring physical and mental abuse from a young age, Celie accepted the mistreatment she received when she married Albert and entered his household because she had never known any different treatment.

The reason for Celie's negative attitude towards men is rooted in the negative attitudes that men displayed towards women. "The Color Purple" depicts the attitudes towards gender discrimination of the turn of the century, illustrating how men exercised their power over women as a way to assert authority and dominance over those who were weaker and more vulnerable than themselves.

According to Alice Walker, these men were considered weak because they victimized and dominated women in order to establish their own authority, as they themselves felt powerless against the white people who held authority over them and their land.

The weakness of men in this novel can be seen as similar to 'Oranges are not the Only Fruit', where Jeanette's father is depicted as a passive character, avoiding any problems within his household. Just like Celie, Jeanette develops a negative view

of men after being told by her mother's friend that they are pigs, which she takes literally. This leads her to harbor a hatred for men in her imagination, while her own intellect provides alternative interpretations to what she has been taught.

At this stage, Jeanette discovers her own sexual preferences and expresses her disinterest in men. Both novels delve into feminist ideas and highlight strong female characters who empower the protagonists to find their inner strength. In Celie's journey, she is supported by her sister Nettie, as well as Sofia and Shug Avery at different points in her life, all aiding her in her battle for justice within her marriage to Albert.

Both Jeanette and Celie have individuals in their lives who provide them with love and support. For Jeanette, it is Elsie who stands by her side during her hospital stay for adenoids. Elsie's daily visits showcase her unwavering presence and sincere concern for Jeanette. Without such people, both Jeanette and Celie would be unfamiliar with the feeling of being genuinely loved. As Celie begins her married life with Albert, she experiences a profound sense of loneliness as she is separated from her beloved sister Nettie, whom she believes to be the only person to have truly loved her.

Nettie observed the mistreatment Celie faced from Albert and his children while staying with them. Nettie cautioned Celie against allowing them to exploit her and encouraged her to assert herself. This teaching was later reinforced by Sofia, who advocated for gender equality. Sofia stressed the significance of resisting male oppression, which ultimately gave Celie the strength to leave Albert. Shug's entrance in the story presents a character

who possesses independence and power.

This is the moment when Celie first sees Albert's weakness, as he is not as strong as Shug. Celie admired and envied Shug's strength. In 'Oranges are not the Only Fruit,' Elsie plays a strong and important role in Jeanette's teenage years. However, Elsie's character does not portray strength and power, but rather kindness and compassion. Elsie symbolizes what Jeanette strives to be throughout the novel - someone who knows their true self.

Elsie takes on a teacher role for Jeanette and equips her with tools to help her guide her in the right direction. Elsie's character differs greatly from Jeanette's mother as she strives to act in Jeanette's best interest. She offers support to help Jeanette understand that her identity is valid and encourages her to pursue happiness. Tragically, both Jeanette and Celie suffer the loss of a loved one at some point in the novel.

Celie and Jeanette both experience the loss of loved ones. Celie loses her sister Nettie, while Jeanette loses her role model and confidante Elsie. Celie and Nettie were extremely close prior to Celie's marriage to Albert. Being taken away from her beloved sister left Celie feeling incapable of loving or being loved again. Nettie had the opportunity to stay with Celie and Albert, but was ultimately kicked out for refusing to submit to Albert's demands. Nettie's parting words were, 'nothing but death can keep me from you.'

Celie believed her sister, Nettie, had died when she didn't hear from her for many years. This made Celie feel empty and unable to find solace. She thought that the best way to carry on was to stay

quiet and unnoticed, as she believed her skills only extended to surviving and being a maid for Albert. With the loss of her sister, Celie felt devoid of power and unable to take any action.

In the novel, Elsie Norris's frequent sickness suggests that her old age contributed to her death. When Elsie passes away, Jeanette is deeply saddened as she loses a significant source of comfort and support. This event leaves Jeanette without anyone to confide in, highlighting the theme of loneliness for both characters, albeit for different reasons. Celie experiences loneliness due to the absence of love in her life, while Jeanette feels lonely because she perceives the world as being opposed to her desires and beliefs.

Both Jeanette and Celie undergo different types of losses. While Celie initially believes her sister is dead, she eventually reunites with her by the end of the novel. In contrast, Jeanette's loss is permanent, and she must rely on the lessons taught by Elsie to shape her life moving forward. Despite the contrasting experiences, both authors highlight the challenges of growing up. They emphasize the importance of endurance, conflict resolution, and overcoming dominance and oppression in this transformative process.

Walker emphasizes the significance of self-expression in Celie's quest for self-discovery throughout the novel. Celie's growth is shaped by her own longing to express herself and the influential female figures she encounters. These elements empower her to discover her voice and liberate herself from Albert's dominance. Consequently, she transforms into a self-reliant woman with unique ideas and ambitions, which she accomplishes with the support and affection of those in her life.

The article explores Winterson's portrayal of Jeanette's maturation as both

a physical and spiritual odyssey. By leaving behind her church and family, Jeanette embarks on a quest to uncover her authentic self and establish her sense of purpose. Nevertheless, Jeanette is deemed unconventional within her community due to her non-traditional sexual orientation, which diverges from the established societal norms and values. Nonetheless, Jeanette remains resolute in rejecting conformity to social expectations and regards embracing individuality as the pinnacle of maturity.

While both novels have positive outcomes for their protagonists, the relationship between Jeanette and her mother in "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" continues to be problematic despite Jeanette's personal growth. In contrast, "The Colour Purple" ends with a sense of complete joy and harmony as Celie attains self-fulfillment.