The Color Purple - Case Study Example

All of Ms. Celie’s hardships forced her to learn others’ values and beliefs. Ms. Celie’s bank was filled with a poor self-image. The banking concept did not work with Ms. Celie, especially because she was abused and taught by others around her. When Shug, Mr. Johnson’s lover, came into Ms. Celie’s life, she began to teach Ms. Celie differently. Shug respected Ms. Celie after being around her for a while. The two became confidants and lovers. Shug taught Ms. Celie that she was worth something.

This allowed Ms. Celie to blossom. She opened her own shop after leaving Mr. Johnson. Ms. Celie even contacted her sister and children after Shug showed the letters Mr. Johnson had kept from her. Ms. Celie came back after her stepfather’s death to inherit her rightful estate. None of these things would have been possible without Shug teaching her self confidence and esteem. Shug treated the pupil with respect and taught Ms. Celie in her own individual way.Paulo Freire's idea of respecting each individual student instead of using the banking model is admirable but impractical.

Not everyone comes from a loving or nurturing home. Some like, Ms. Celie, have hard lives. Too many people, educators included, are like Mr. Johnson, Pa, and others who treated Ms. Celie cruelly. The banking concept is the best method to teach children now, but Frieires ideas cannot be applied effectively to all children.Works CitedSeymore, Jack L. “Approaches to Christian Education.” Contemporary Approaches to Christian Education. Jack L. Seymore and Donald E. Miller eds. Abingdon: Nashville, 1982. Print. Walker, Alice.

The Color Purple. New York: Harcourt, 2003. Print.