Creating Boundaries of Black Men in A.Walkers The Color Purple - Book Report/Review Example

Creating Boundaries of Black Men in “The Color Purple” The positive opinion of black men that Walker s in her interview, in which she “relied onthe fiercely sweet spirit of black men” is one that is not apparent in her work. The different literary techniques that are used in this book all show that Walker has the opposite feeling toward black men. Specifically, Walker creates a boundary between the two genders and continuously refers to black men as something that creates difficulty and complication. The boundaries that are in “The Color Purple” not only create a boundary between genders, but also identify men as an opposing force to the well – being of those in the book. By the end of the book, Walker imposes the idea that the only way that women can be happy is to be independent of the perceptions of men and the way in which they relate to women. The first way in which Walker presents a boundary between men and women, in which men are not regarded as friendly, is through the point of view that is used with the father. The narrator, Celie, always refers to the men as “he” and creates a disconnection to the men that are surrounding her in the book. This combines with the perspective toward the narrator’s father, brothers and later toward the relationships that are held. There are several instances where the narrator creates a significant boundary between women and men, specifically which create men as not having a sweet spirit. For instance, in the opening chapter, Walker writes “He acts like he can’t stand me no more. Say I’m evil an always up to no good. He took my other little baby, a boy this time. But I don’t think he kilt it. I think he sold it to a man and his wife over Monticello… I see him looking at my little sister. She scared. But I say I’ll take care of you. With God help” (Walker, 3). This passage is significant in the point of view from Celie. The first way in which this creates a boundary is through the use of “he” as a reference to the narrator’s father. Instead of creating an identity that is positive, loving or that can be defined; a boundary is created by the general statement used about the father. The perception then continues with the actions of the father and the statement that he believes his daughter is evil. This immediately creates a perception that Walker believes that men act with behavior that causes difficulties and boundaries for women. The point of view that is given by Celie continues throughout the book to create this same sense of boundary. For instance, most of the men are not referred to by name through the book. When speaking of Nettie’s husband, he is defined as Mr. __________. Not allowing the men to have an identity in the book can be perceived as making them insignificant and not allowing them to have a specific place in the book that is identifiable. When the narrator begins to speak of this, specifically when asked about a man, she states, “He do look all right, I say. But I don’t think about it while I say it. Most times mens look pretty much alike to me” (15). At the same time, when asked about a girl’s name, it becomes significant, as this will identify her personality and traits. Creating this line through these smaller points of view doesn’t create a sense that the men are ‘sweet in spirit,’ and instead shows them as a factor outside of the lives of women that is unimportant. As the story continues, the viewpoint of Nettie is seen with the same regard. Even though Nettie is able to move out of her current situation and goes to Africa, she still carries the same mentality toward men. This is feminist in nature and creates a continuous disconnection and set of boundaries between the men and women in the book. For instance, when writing to Celie at one point, she states, “My spirits sort of drooped after being at the Society. On every wall there was a picture of a white man…. I looked for the picture of a white woman but didn’t see one. Samuel looked a little sad too” (143). This shows that Nettie, as well as Celie, both see that there are disadvantages toward women for being the gender that they are in. The men that are in the book are able to carry a specific status and prestige, with Nettie and Celie’s belief that they are always second class to the men in the book, both black and white. This boundary, as seen from Nettie’s point of view at this point, is one that creates more boundaries between the identities of men in the book and places them in a specific light. Walker combines the viewpoint of the characters with the plot line to show the same defining boundary between the men and women in the book. The first part to this plot is based on the background of both Nettie and Celie. Celie’s background begins with her continuous rape and pregnancy by the man she calls ‘pa.’ This is combined with Nettie’s forced marriage to a husband that continuously states that he doesn’t care where she goes or what her well being is. It is the viewpoint of the men in the beginning of the book that drive Nettie and Celie together to learn to survive. The men that both Celie and Nettie are familiar with continuously bring the main opposition and tension in the plot line because of their viewpoint of men. This is combined with the way that they are forced to believe about themselves as women, which is also caused by the men in the story. As the story continues, the viewpoint also changes with men and the way that they are defined. However, the regard for men is still defined as a boundary with most of the plot creating different viewpoint of men. Later in the book, Nettie goes to Africa as a school teacher and to help children with her husband. Celia at this time is seen as more independent of men and is more comfortable with her position in society. However, there are still remnants of men as being uncaring and not having the correct perspective. This not only moves into a boundary of gender, but also creates a boundary of race. For instance, when Nettie starts talking about slavery, she refers to a white male who she has been reading, specifically about the slave trade. After referring to this, she states, “Millions and millions of Africans were captured and sold into slavery – you and me, Celie! And whole cities were destroyed by slave catching wars. Today the people of Africa – having murdered or sold into slavery their strongest folks – are riddled by disease and sunk into spiritual and physical confusion” (145). While Walker is referring to the situation of slavery, there is also an undertone from Nettie of the gender associated with this. The mention of men and Europeans as the main individuals that were in charge of this shows another boundary and perspective of men that are represented in the book. The plot line that continues with Nettie’s perspective and her travels to Africa, while representing a different side of society, carry the initial undertone on the perspective of men that is held by both characters. The plot line not only shows the main conflict is with men and the boundaries they create with women, but continues with the different characters in the book. For instance, when Harpo is introduced to the book as liking Sophie, there are several statements that he won’t help with the situation. The first statement from Celie is that he looks like trouble. The immediate relationship is that he can’t be trusted and that he is just trying to get more land. This attitude of Celie, as well as from Nettie is one that defines more boundaries and definitions of the men in the book. For instance, when defining Harpo, Celie states “Harpo so black he thinks she bright, but she ain’t that bright” (31). The dislike for Harpo in the home after marrying Sophia, as well as the specific perspective that is taken toward the character throughout the book shows that Celia doesn’t think of men as smart or able to do the right thing and is only able to cause trouble. The dislike toward the men and characters in the book is furthered by Celie and Nettie’s relationship toward women. This shows another boundary between women and men, specifically because the men are never trusted. The bond between the women; however, continuously grows in a way that the men in the book can’t understand. This is seen most by the relationship that Celie and Nettie carry with each other, as well as the way that they speak to each other. This is also seen with Celie and Shug and the way that they associate with each other. This brings a feminist perspective into the book specifically by showing the bond between women is stronger than with men. When Shug begins to associate with Celie, it provides this particular association between women, which Celie could not reach with men. Points of this division are seen in instances, such as when Celie states “All the men got their eyes glued to Shug’s bosom. I got my eyes glued on them too… Shug, I say to her in my mind, Girl, you looks like a real good time, the Good Lord knows you do” (85). There are several references, similar to this that brings out the idea of womanhood and how it creates a bond similar to that of men. This furthers the bond of women while creating more boundaries toward the men that are presented in the book. By the end of the book, the several characters, plot lines and relationships all lead to the same ideal about men. The boundary that is created is one in which the women have to overcome in order to find their happiness. Nettie is seen doing this through her commitment to the missionary work over time. Sofia does this by leaving her husband and finding her independence by moving away. Celie does the same by becoming an independent woman that no longer needs men and who finds her strength with her religion and finding peace. This is heard in the several conversations at the end of the book in which the characters begin to redefine their relationships to men. For instance, Miss Eleanor Jane recognizes that the only thing her husband loves is the cotton field (273) and tells Sofia to find happiness by moving away from men. This is one of several examples that shows the main theme from Walker. This is based on the boundaries that men create as well as the need for women to become independent of the men in their lives. The end result for each of the characters shows that Walker has a belief through the book that the men are the main hindrance for the women finding happiness for their own desires. The change in the book comes at the end when each of them realizes that they can find their own happiness by moving away from the men and developing their own life. The presentation of men in the book “The Color Purple” is one that does not show the philosophy of men as having a good nature spirit as Walker referred to in her interview. Instead, the representation of the men through the narrative, plot line and the association with other characters creates several boundaries toward the identity of men. Most of the men are recognized as the other and are not regarded as having any significance. More than this, the men that are portrayed in relation to the book cause disconnections and dysfunction among the women, which is found in their relationship to other women. By the end, the concept of men is one that is looked at as one that creates hindrances for women and causes them to be second class citizens within society. Works Cited 1. Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. Pocket Books: New York, 1982. Read More