The Crucible Example Essay Example

the God she heavily relies on as her only confidant. After Celie is married, she begins to grow into more than just a victim of abuse, no longer allowing herself to be taken advantage of. Despite her bleak upbringing, Celie actually had some choices and freedoms, but she remained unaware of this. It is through the women she encounters that Celie slowly comes to realize her own agency.

One moment that sparks a desire for self-improvement in Celie is when she observes a wealthy woman and understands that she too could achieve something if she had money. Another pivotal moment is when Albert's sisters affirm that she deserves her own dress and her own sense of self. When one of the sisters suggests that Celie deserved more than just a mediocre dress, Celie contemplates the possibility and thinks, "Perhaps so." This marks the first time Celie ever considers herself deserving of anything. Although she doesn't receive the desired purple dress, she initiates the journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

Sofia demonstrates to Celie that despite being black, female, and a wife, she still has choices. Sofia is defiant and refuses to tolerate abuse, defending herself even when she is at the bottom of society. Celie gradually recognizes that she is in a comparable position to Sofia. However, she values her own life too much to desire confrontation, saying, "What good does it do? I don't fight; I remain where I'm instructed. But I am alive."

Through her friendship with Shug, Celie finally learns to value herself and realizes that she deserves better treatment. Shug defies societal expectations, proving that women are not required to be controlled by men.

Furthermore, Shug is the first person who makes Celie feel like an individual by composing a song for her. Additionally, Shug helps Celie discover her own sexuality, teaching her that she is entitled to pleasure. This newfound understanding allows Celie to inhabit her own body and develop her own identity. Moreover, it is Shug who informs Celie that her sister, Nettie, is alive and that their husband, Albert, had been hiding Nettie's letters from Celie. This revelation sparks Celie's anger for the first time in the story. As a result, Celie directs her frustration towards God and decides to write to Nettie instead.

In their conversation, Celie expresses her doubts about God to Shug, acknowledging that it is difficult to live without Him even if she believes He doesn't exist. Shug tries to persuade Celie that God doesn't have to be depicted as a traditional white, bearded man whom black women find difficult to connect with. Instead, Shug suggests that Celie can find her own understanding of God in everything she observes in nature, beyond the limitations of gender. Furthermore, Shug advises Celie that her life doesn't have to revolve around God or men. Celie later shares this discussion with Nettie, expressing her continued uncertainty despite their extensive conversations about God.

Celie expresses her desire to rid herself of thoughts of an old white man. This reflects her existential view that if God is not dead, then He must be indifferent or oblivious to human suffering on Earth. Shug, on the other hand, sees God in everything - from nature to people in the afterlife. In particular, she believes the color purple represents the beauty of God,

just as Celie does.

She was once unnoticed and unappreciated, similar to how purple can be disregarded by those who pass by without a second thought. However, as she begins to develop into her own person, she acknowledges her presence just as she now notices the color purple, merely because it exists and was created by God. The recognition of the color purple heightens her awareness of her own existence. This is why she declares, "I'm poor, I'm black, I may not be attractive, and I may lack culinary skills... But I exist." She finally comprehends that she is a person who deserves to be seen and treated as such.

Thus, Celie's last correspondence is directed to God, the stars, the trees, the sky, and all people, signifying her shift in perception of God from an uninvolved white-bearded man.

A new image of God is depicted here, illustrating individuality and the ability to shape God based on personal terms. This transformation empowers Celie, shifting her from being a victim of abuse to a woman who recognizes her own existence. In her distinctive manner, Celie gains the freedom to observe the world and communicate with whomever she desires. Therefore, the conclusion marks a new beginning for Celie.