While women are idealised men are demonised How then can The Color Purple be described as
Alice Walker in her novel “The Color Purple” has been heavily criticised for her unrealistic and biased portrayal of black woman and men. ... It thus seems that Walker does idealise woman, and demonise men, but the extent to which she does this and whether this hinders the novel’s realism is debatable. ... " Celie, could be seen as this heroic figure, oppressed by tyrannical men through abandonment, suppression, incest, physical and emotional abuse, clearly indicting them. ... However, the novel tracks her triumphant journey to self-discovery, womanhood, and independence and serves as a moving portrait of the bonds of sisterhood that exist between women and the indestructible nature of the human spirit. ... The demonic nature of men is clearly illustrated through Alphonso. ... Men’s barbarity is clearly illustrated in their negotiation between Alphonso and Albert regarding the ownership of Celie, as if she were property. ... ” Alphonso truly is demonised in the novel. In contrast, Albert, while he terrorises Celie, is somewhat redeemed by the end of the novel. ... Walkers depiction of Albert as this brutish, sexually aggressive, cruel man, has been harshly criticised by the Black community, for African-American men have always received similar, often distorted representation. ... Albert’s transformation prevents his portrayal by Walker being demonic and acknowledges that men too can rise out of oppression. While Harpo’s portrayal differs again thereby proving Walker’s portrayal of men is not one-dimensional. ... While in further contrast Samuel is portrayed as genuine, caring and honest throughout acting selflessly and thereby rejecting all notions of men as evil, oppressive figures. Walker has also been criticised for her idealisation of women in the novel, and clearly as Draper said, “’The Color Purple’ affirms the survival and liberation of black women through the strength and wisdom of others. ... Shug Avery is somewhat idealised in that she is to Celie, the personification of freedom from the patriarchal system that abuses her. ... Thus Shug is not truly idealised. ... Shug flaws are also seen in her questionable parenting skills and indeed one of the first questions Celie longs to ask her is: “Where her children at while she singing all over the place? ... Sofia is another strong female character and is also idealised to a certain degree in her ability to confront abuse and oppression, thus acting as an inspiration to Celie. Sofia does not acknowledge the rights men have over her and to Celie is not portrayed as without fault in that she is motivated to tell Harpo to beat his wife Sofia due to her own shock and jealousy at Sofia’s bravery and empowerment. ... A girl child ain’t safe in a family of men. ... Her negative characteristics of stubbornness and bad temperdness that prevent her being idealised, are shown in her disrespect and impudence in her treatment of the mayors wife and her children. ... Walker’s empathises of the maltreatment of black woman at the hands of men helps affirm the impression that woman are idealised and men demonised.