Transcendentalism in the novel Color Purple

Transcendentalism in the novel Color Purple                                                                             

                                                                                                                             Aishani Phukan

                                                                                                                              1313214

                                                                                                                              IIPseng

Transcendentalism is characterized as a development in nineteenth-century American writing and thought. It approached individuals to view the items on the planet as little forms of the entire universe and to trust their individual instincts. Transcendalists believe in self reliance . They focus on divinity and not who is god. They study the world, life and divinity. Transcendentalism basically means beyond the physical world.

A key element of transcendentalism is human experiences transcending the strict roles defined by society or religious doctrine. Many women are shown to battle against the gender roles imposed upon them by society and by the stronger men in their life in the novel “Color Purple”. A character in the novel- Shug  provides the most important example of this, through her independence of her sexuality and to be subservient in any situation.  Walker tries to show to all the readers that women can move from subservience to independence. This shows transcenditism. We can see through Celie’s growth as a character throughout the novel. In the novel “Color Purple” we as readers become aware of the fact that transcendentalism focuses on breaking free of stereotypical paths, most commonly those of religion or society.  A transcendental theme of "The Color Purple” becomes one’s capability to tell one’s story. The beginning of the novel, we see that Celie is not able to express her views or declare her independence.  Sofie and Shug are her friends to whom she can tell everything. Celie's growth as a character directly depends on the strength she finds in her voice and her ability to tell her own story.Celie’s power to confront all abuses shows her optimistic nature.  "I'm pore, I'm black, I may be ugly and can't cook, a voice say to everything listening. But I'm here. Pg 207.Celie's view of religion plays an important role to show the process of transcendentalism .Her perspective on viewing God as kind of a male figure and someone who is white in colour , shifts to establishing God on her own terms. When Celie goes through a transcendental shift she no longer views God as simplistic or distant rather she evaluates and forms her own opinions. She even goes so far as to question God's wisdom. In the novel Both Celie and Mr. ______, her husband, grow and go through a process of change throughout In Color Purple we see the transcending changes in both their characters. We can see more of dramatic changes in Celie. As readers we see that in the beginning of the novel she passively accepts physical abuse from her father, by the end of the novel she is able to stand up for herself. Celie's husband who is introduced in the novel as Mr.  ______, is an harsh and an abusive man in the beginning of the novel but as one reads through he goes through a change by the end of the novel becomes a better person. In this way, both Celie and her husband’s human experiences shows a transcendental shift. Themes such as nature of sin or evil. The negative aspects of the post -modern world on the soul and the quest for  transcendence are highlighting features in Alice Walker’s novel.

References:

             http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-0602103-145436/unrestricted/Sandefur_dis.pdf

                http://www.ehow.com/info_8600043_transcendental-present-novel-color-purple.html

          The novel The Color Purple

         SparkNotes: The Color Purple: Themes, Motifs & Symbols

          www.ehow.com › Arts & Entertainment

         New York times book review of the color purple