Feminism in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple

Abstract

This study under the title “Feminism in Alice Walker’s ‘The Color Purple’” studies different aspects of feminism highlighted in The Color Purple and tries to understand the status of black women in patriarchal American society. This study is guided by two questions which ask whether black women are victims of sexism in American society and how women can free themselves from man’s domination. Besides, key concepts such as feminism,feminist theory, sexism and sisterhood are defined. Two types of feminism, namely liberal feminism and radical feminism are discussed in this study. Since this research is qualitative, data and data sources are also qualitative and they are collected and analysed qualitatively using psychological, historical and feminist approaches. After a thorough analysis of the novel, it is concluded that black women are victims of sexism in American society and that through sisterhood women can free themselves from man’s domination.