The Color Purple

During difficult times in life everyone finds an outlet to express themselves. In Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple the main character Celie overcomes many hardships. The setting is in the 1930's therefore abuse to a woman (especially an African American woman) by her husband was something that was encouraged by society rather than frowned upon. Because of the constant abuse first by her father, then her husband, Celie also had trouble establishing relationships and understanding how they work. Celie find sewing an outlet for emotion in the novel, also it represents her own free thoughts since she had such trouble outwardly expressing them to others.

Once Celie started to realize that the abuse she was continuously receiving was wrong she needed a place to channel her anger. It also gave her a way to release her creativity because she was held back by so many of the men in her life. The first instance that sewing acted as therapy for Celie was when she had her fight with Sofia. Celie, not knowing better, told Harpo that he should beat Sofia. When she found out she was very angry. To work out their problems Celie and Sofia decided to make a patchwork quilt together. The patches in the quilt represent many different people coming together. Like at the end of the novel it shows that many people of different backgrounds and lifestyles can come together in love. It also served as a way for Celie and Sophia to bond and understand one another's problems.

Later in the novel after Celie frees herself from her abusive husband she opens her own pant making shop. This changes Celie's view of sewing. It is no longer and unimportant task to be finished to escape abuse. It becomes something that she can have pride in. It gives her a purpose in life for herself, not the service of others. The sewing shop is also the Celie's first source of economic independence. The fact that she is sewing pants is also very important.