A symbol of freedom and autonomy. individualism yet togetherness ; the American Flag has presented an image of America for decennaries. Ever since Francis Scott Key wrote his verse form about the “broad chevrons and bright stars. ” the United States of America has been marked with this simple. yet limpid icon of peace and sovereignty. Symbolism in literature plays a bigger portion. one that relates an object or political orientation to emphasize a connexion to a more distinct or ill-defined image. Alice Walker. a novelist. utilizes many symbols to picture the battle of immature African American adult females to happen and free themselves from imprisonment.
Through many images. Walker allows for acknowledgment between specific symbolic portraitures and the chief thoughts of the novel. In her novel. The Color Purple. Alice Walker uses symbolism to show the transmutation of laden adult females in a unintegrated society from entire restraint to self-empowerment and newfound individualities. Through the ignored character of Celie. Walker depicts a Reconstruction from failing to authoritative behaviour utilizing symbolism. Because she is a adult female. Celie is really under-appreciated and non expected to go anything significant in society.
At the beginning of the novel. Celie allows this image of being a “mule” to command her life. She describes how she is “another piece of wood” ( 30 ) to blunt herself from the painful life she lives. However. later in the novel. Shug Avery. a vocalist whom Celie becomes really close with. Tells her to populate with freedom and independency. every bit good as love and passion. Finally. this counsel turns her to run uping. a symbol introduced to depict Celie’s sense of pride. achievement. and individualism. When Mr. ________ . Celie’s hubby. comes to see her while she is run uping. he asks “what was so particular turn [ her ] pants” ( 276 ) . She says that “anybody can have on them” ( 276 ) . except Mr. ________ replies that “men suppose to have on the pants” ( 276 ) . New to her personality. Celie snaps back and says. “So” ( 276 ) ? Before her newfound individuality. Celie would hold ne’er talked back to Mr. ______ . now called Albert. because she would hold been abused. She has come to the realisation that she is non one that needs to endorse down to “hierarchy” because of race and gender.
Through this journey toward self-actualization. Celie distinguishes a personality with voice and freedom. therefore. much different from her yesteryear. captive life style. Similarly to the way of Celie. Squeak. an abused character in the novel. learns that she needs to move upon her uncle’s sexually opprobrious behaviour. The reader changes his/her perceptual experience of Squeak when she begins to sing. an activity typifying power and voice. Her lover. Harpo. discusses her distinguishable way to making this feeling of assurance by saying that “ [ Squeak ] sit in the corner a twelvemonth silent as the grave.
Then you put a record on. [ she ] come to life” ( 100 ) . She develops voice. a characteristic most adult females lack during this clip period. Like Celie’s usage of run uping. Squeak’s use of singing gives the reader a new word picture of character. These specific representations correspond to each individual’s journey to interrupt free from the wrath of these work forces. and populate a life of assurance and fortitude. Furthermore. Walker non merely presents symbols as a manner to construe transmutations. but besides to expose individuality. specifically in the characters of Celie. Squeak. and Shug.
Color. therefore. is one symbol that is explained to to the full develop 1s sense of selfhood. At the beginning of the novel. Celie shops for vesture. and while shopping she “think what colour Shug Avery would wear” ( 22 ) . Celie looks for the bright colourss. the reds and the purples. nevertheless is shut down and forced to purchase a colour that she may non peculiarly bask in the long tally ( 22 ) . Her sense of entitlement seems to be tarnished and her deficiency of individualism is clearly portrayed. However. Shug “wears a skintight ruddy dress” ( 54 ) reflecting her strong personality and utmost sense of independency.
When Celie begins her passage to freedom. she learns about the importance of colour. She returns from her visit in Memphis have oning “little ruddy flat-heel slippers” ( 220 ) . exposing a sense of singularity and individualism that is freshly portrayed to the reader. In add-on to colour. Walker uses names in the novel to typify the individuality of characters. Furthermore. Squeak is given this moniker during the novel. turn outing how undistinguished women’s voice is throughout the narrative.
Celie tells her to do people name her by her existent name. nevertheless. she doesn’t seem to understand because she is so used to non speaking back to the male figures in society and stating them what to make ( 86 ) . It is apparent that she lacks self authorization ; a specific sense of power. Subsequently. she is raped by Harpo. forcing her over the border. She forces him to name her by her existent name. Mary Anges. which symbolizes a feeling of power and authorization. Another name that is introduced throughout the novel. is God.
Celie writes her letters to God in a really personal manner. as though God is a adult male. a white adult male reading her every word. yet non concerned with her supplications. Shug negotiations to Celie and displays her feeling of God by stating that “ [ She ] believe God is everything…Everything that is or of all time was or of all time will be. And when you can experience that. and be happy to experience that. you’ve found it” ( 197 ) . Due to Shug’s ability to steer and take Celie down the right way. Celie learns to believe that God is non a figure or a adult male. but yet an kernel. a feeling ; he is everyplace.
She begins to compose her letters non merely to God. but besides to the stars and the trees and the sky. picturing that God is in everything and in everyone. This esthesis. passed on by the counsel of Shug. proves that she has moved in a way of cognition and passion. toward self-actualization. In the novel. The Color Purple. Alice Walker uses the characters of Celie. Squeak. and Shug to expose the common subjects of transmutation and new individuality through the literary device of symbolism.
Symbolism in literature Acts of the Apostless as a word picture of a wide subject ; it is a utile tool to assist expose a broad scope of thoughts or beliefs. Walker forces the reader to understand that the symbols she uses do non merely stand for one thought or one focal point. but many subjects such as the development into a new individual. the passage to derive a new individuality. These symbols help portray a sense of individualism and power. merely as the American Flag does for the citizens of the United States of America. Its powerful image gives manner to the greater thought it presents: autonomy and entitlement.
