The Color Purple: The Inequality of Women in Male Dominated Environment

Women have faced social inequalities throughout history through the intersectionality of race, class and gender. The analysis of the social construct displays patchritical ideologies of systematic male dominated environments. The novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker, demonstrates the construct of a hierarchical system of domination and control against minority groups. Nevertheless, it decontructs the power in the system of oppression and focuses on the breakdown of gender and racial barriers. In the Watchmen by Alan Moore, it confirms this assumption and shows the disparities of sex segeration and gender differences. It fulfills the domestic roles constructed and leads to a damaged social institution. The Color Purple is a more significant text than the novel the Watchmen and should be taught within the grade twelve curriculum, due to the emphasis on underlying inequality within patriarchal ideologies, created by oppressive expectations and the imbalance of power.

It is evident that oppressive expectations is built within the system to silence minorities. It creates a way to isolate and minimize change, and maintain a patriarchal society. In Watchmen, it is beyond doubt that the men are isolating women’s ability to be dominant. Throughout the novel, it is portrayed that men are suited to be heros and attain glorification, while women lurk in the shadows and are recognized as weak and modest. The outlook of “the accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whore’s and politicans will look up and shout ‘save us’, while [the men will] look down and whisper ‘no’ “ (Moore 9). The enforcement of oppressive expectations is recognized that women need to be saved rather than saving other; that the tragedy of there helplessness is lied under sex, which creates an isolation for women to be recognized as equal and dominant . Within a patriarchal society it is “using a conflict analysis and perspective, [that] discusses how women...experience sexism and emphasizes the need to create visibility about [alienation and gender inequality]...[It] describes the ways oppressive roles manifests, [and] the social and organizational structures that support it” (Wolfe, 2019). The prevention of female power and recognition of women’s ability to prevail, is established within Watchmen to endure a traditional perspective on a male-dominant society. This is revealed throughout the novel as men take the lead as superheroes and women are isolated and oppressed by patriarchal expectations, to convince the audience that male dominance is precise for the social economy.

Oppressive gender roles within The Color Purple, reveal how the power structure is built to set women in place. These limitations are systematic and show signs of repetitive forms of alienation. Traditional expectations create forms of inner conflict and abandonment, that restrict women’s ability to become something greater. In the time period of the book, women are expected to maintain order within the house while men do all of the hardship outside and remain in contact with the outside world. In light of the limited social interactions, Mr is resisting to give the whole truth about Celie and her current family situation. By keeping her inside, he is isolating Celie in order to control her movements in society. Forcing Celie to focus on work and reducing her self confidence, by chanting that she is “...[only] a trifling nigger…[and must] git that bucket and bring it back full’ “ (Walker 22), leaves her feeling dimished and out of place. Her self identity has vanished, through oppressive gender roles, and maintaining order within society. Women’s direct effect to contribute to society is “what patriarchy has done is convince people that a strong and intelligent woman represents a problem; a disruption to the social order rather than an integral part of it ...The longer women are invisible, the more ground is lost in the struggle to make human rights apply equally to men and women” (Issues & Controversies, 2019). What oppressive gender roles do is force women to stay inside and create an isolated state, causing a limit in their communal status. The Color Purple highlights the importance of traditional expectations and analyzes how they’re built to maintain a patriarchal society. Despite the efforts Watchmen creates to highlight oppressive expectations, the topic is not held as the main importance for the novel as in . Furthermore, it is crucial in today’s society that oppressive expectations are not set in place to diminish human equality, but prevail in an individual's success.

Within the Watchmen, it constructs a structural nature of sexual pressure towards women. The implication of sexual unlawful behaviour is perceived as a “man's right”. It is constructed to make women feel less than and strip them from their basic human nature. The behaviour is exemplified within the 1940’s, as the Comedian walked in on Sally changing and made unwanted sexual remarks. He then gropped her and tried to force himself onto her saying, “c’mon baby. I know what you need. You gotta have some reason wearin’ an outfit like this..” (Moore 48). When that did not work, the Comedian then punched and kicked Sally to the floor.

It is undeniable that sexual behaviour takes place to oppress women. As Sally is surrounded by men daily, it controls her in every aspect, so she “...covers [herself] up” (Moore 50) and performs as according their cultural expectations. It is used as a form of gender disparity making women feel subordinate, and minimizing their place within the social economy. Despite “the U.S. Declaration of Independence [and stating how] ‘that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ ” (Rutger University Press, 2002). There is an imbalance of the social construct, as it uses “threat and violence [which] means keeping women silent and controlling them. Silencing often compromises the possibility of women's participation in their lack of rights in society” (Rutgers University Press, 2002). It continues to maintain a male dominated environment, by limiting the amount of female interactions within the novel, and revealing how men are superior to women. In conclusion, the Watchmen implies the use of sexual behaviour and the imbalance of power against women, in creation of a patriarchal society.

In comparison The Color Purple shows how men misuse their power by using sexual misconduct to devalue women, and gain a superior role within society. This approach has been passed down for generations. It outlines how women are sexually degraded and left vulnerable, to allow men to feel a sense of power within themselves. Ultimately, the female body is alluring and holds beguiling qualities, making one infatuated with the delicacy. The power of the enchant is sensual and mysterious; the intense and physical intimacy are windows to the soul, and when encountered it leaves one imperious. Like Mr, he holds an aggressive and dominant role, due to his endless need for sex. He abuses Celie to put in place a set of orders and dictatorship, that she is subordinate and he is above all. Using sexual power to gain ultimate control as “...he pushed his thing inside [her] pussy. When that hurt, [she] cried. He [then started] to choke [her], saying “shut up and git used to it” ” (Walker 1). This violation strips sex from being an emotional and sacred landscape for Celie; the improper use becomes a state of misery and sadness. This state recalls the goals of the first wave of feminism, which is working towards recognizing women has persons, in the hopes to bring an end to sexual violence. This was needed due to how, “American women lag substantially behind men when it comes to their representation in leadership positions. [It is evident] that power is held nearly exclusively by men”(Marcus, 1998). The living conditions are inferior, especially in “...an environment in which, at its worst, women are treated as bodies to be leered at or grabbed, rather than peers entitled to equal respect” (Marcus, 1998). The authoritative system is designed to place men’s rights above women’s. Additionally, brutality is used to restrict women entering male-dominated spheres. The Color Purple demonstrates extensive real world evidence of how women face an imbalance of the power structure, compared to the Watchmen. It provides an awareness of the long time patriarchal norms and strives to create equality. All in all, high level grade twelve students can utilize this information to create promising generations in the future, and make society a safer place for minorities.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker, highlights the importance of imbalance of power structure and oppressive expectations that are built within society. However, Alan Moore’s Watchmen reveals this assumption through the male-dominace and segregation throughout the novel. The Color Purple is a more significant text than the novel the Watchmen and should be taught within the grade twelve curriculum, due to the emphasis on underlying inequality within patriarchal ideologies, created by oppressive expectations and the imbalance of power. Furthermore, the significance of the storyline, reveals how characters like Celie struggle with sexual abuse and isolation; it is important for grade twelve students to know because, it symbolizes the importance of equality, and creates a path for rebirth and awareness on the oppressive and incongruient society that individuals live in today .

Work Cited

• Marcus, I. (1998). “Violence Against Women”. The Reader's Companion to U.S Women’s History. Gale Databases: Gender Studies.

This article speaks on the importance of female American History and the relation to violence. It emphasizes the importance of the social construct and where women are placed within it; how women face forms of abuse, segregation and psychological forms of oppression. The analysis of the cultural constitution is revealed to be systematic, and invasive to women’s rights, sexuality and cultural traditions.

• Rutgers University Press. (2002). “Women, Gender, and Human Rights- A Global Perspective (Women and Human Rights)”. Women’s International Network. Gale Databases: Gender Studies.

Ultimately, the area of focus is looking at the perspective where women are seen as persons. The research development for Female Rights and social change, is to promote awareness to the silencing and global challenge women go through. Furthermore, the article gives recognition to the abuse and isolation caused by the system, to limit human rights and development for women internationally.

• N.A. (2019). “Women's Rights and Sexual Harassment: Are Further Steps Necessary to Ensure Gender Equality?”. Women’s Rights and Sexual Harassment. Issues & Controversies.

This article focuses on the view of supporters and opposers, and what their opinion on women’s rights is. How women take steps to ensure equality and either hinder or prevail society for future generations. Furthermore, the implication of experts and politicians place their view on the life long controversy and obstacles women have faced. How has it either helped the system change for the good or bad? And where the citizens stand to help strive for equality or create an imbalance in the economy.

• Wolfe, E. (2019). “Executive Sexism: How Men Treat Women at the Highest Levels, Why Law Does Not Protect Them, and What Should Change”. Ring Gold Incorporations. Gale Databases: Gender Studies.

Emphasis is given throughout this article on how the law is created to protect men. Gives the reader the realization of the long time suppression women have been through, and how this historical development is creating these patterns through future generations. However, it also focuses on change and what women can do to take steps to gain equality and make a difference for the youth. All in all, insuring the sexual barriers are broken down to achieve equalization for women and other minorities.