Jordyn Storm

 The two novels, The Color Purple and Beloved, both deal with the struggle of identity.  Whether it’s losing oneself or trying to develop a stronger identity for oneself.

 The Color Purple  Takes place in 1900s and focuses on the way African American women were treated by men during this time period.  By this time slavery had been outlawed and black women were in fact, free. Although this was true, segregation was still big in parts of the country.  The women in this novel were fighters and seek protection for themselves and their families.

 Beloved  Takes place after Civil War( ) and is inspired by a former African American Slave, Margaret Garner.  During this time their was a Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which gave slave owners the right to pursue slaves across state borders  Almost captured while trying to run away, Margaret killed her two daughters so she wouldn’t be recaptured.  The story of the main character, Sethe, is based of off Margaret's story.

 Female Significance  Black women have no say and are mistreated by males  Men continue to treat the women as if they have no rights or will without them.  Women need to learn to stand up for themselves as well as support one another  Important Quote:  “He start to choke me saying, you better shut up and git used to it. But I don’t ever git used to it.” -Celie Page 11

 Damaged Identity  Slavery caused a negative impact on these characters identity’s.  Paul D is very insecure and leaves himself wondering if he can ever consider himself as a “real man.”  Sethe is affected by the haunting of her home. Tried saving her children from “Sweet Home”  Denver (youngest child) saves herself from hitting rock bottom and finds independence on her own  Important Quote:  “Devil’s confusion. He lets me look good as long as I feel bad.” –Sethe Page 8

 These two themes connect through the struggle of identity change.  The Color Purple characters are negatively impacted by there past and their own identity is affected by it.  The women in Beloved are trying to fight for a new identity and be seen as real people instead of men’s property.

 The color purple connects a lot to “A Vindication of the Rights of Women”  Women are treated poorly because men believe they are not educated enough to think for themselves  Beloved relates to the theme of tradition  The traditional way women were viewed was very weak, uneducated, and a piece of property  Overtime this perception has changed into a more modern way of thinking.

 These two novels are connected through a similar theme of identity lose and importance.  They are both written during a time period where women were not viewed as strong and independent.  In The Color Purple, African women are suffering from segregation problems.  In Beloved, individuals are still dealing with the affects from slavery.