An "Authentic Self" In The Color Purple-from The Perspective Of Existentialism

Alice Walker is indisputably one of the leading women writers in contemporaryAfrican American literature. She is not only a poet, novelist, short story writer, critic,essayist but also an apologist for the black, especially for the black women. Warmattention has been devoted to Walker since the publication of her first novel TheThird life of Grange Copeland (1970). And greater glories had come to Walker whenher third novel The Color Purple was published in1982. This thesis focuses onWalker’s third novel her masterpiece The Color Purple and intends to analyze theprotagonist Celie’s process of finding her authentic self from the perspective ofExistentialism. There are five chapters in this thesis:Chapter One is a brief introduction of Alice Walker’s life, works, especially hermasterpiece The Color Purple and its critical reception both at home and abroad. Themethodology, structure and significance of this thesis are also stated in this chapter.Chapter Two gives a general introduction to the theory of Existentialism, whichhas two parts. The first part introduces the origin, development and influence ofExistentialism, especially its influence on black writers like Walker. And the secondpart illustrates two existentialistic concepts: one is the concept of Alienation; theother is the concept of Authenticity.Chapter Three analyzes Celie’s alienation. The racial discrimination from thewhite men and the maltreatment from the black men are the two reasons that makeher an alienated being. Celie is not only alienated from the world and others, but alsois alienated from her real self. And to escape from her absurd living conditions, Celiechooses to deceive herself by living in what Sartre called “bad faith”, a way of lifewhich further makes her an alienated being.Chapter Four interprets Celie’s searching for her authentic self manifested fromthree perspectives. Firstly, Celie searches for her essence. The fact that God is deadawakens her to start the journey of finding the meaning of her life. And her lesbianrelationship with Shug assists her on this journey. Then Celie searches for herfreedom. She gets rid of men’s objectification and gains economic independence. Thus she attains her real freedom. Celie also searches for love. The love from othershelps Celie in finding her authentic self. And the love she extends to others,especially to her former enemies, marks Celie’s final victory of being an authenticbeing.Chapter Five concludes that Walker is a grand writer for her humanistic care forblack women’s existential conditions, which is well illustrated through hermasterpiece The Color Purple. And through her depiction of Celie’s existentialstruggle, she wants to call on all black women to fight for themselves and thereforelive an authentic life just like Celie. Through Celie’s search for her authentic self,Walker also wants to inspire modern men to live an authentic life.