Need help with English Lit essay question?

Question

Could someone please just get me started on the following question for my Degree course: With reference to Alice Walker's "The Colour Purple" discuss whether female identity is revealed mainly through opposition to male identity? Maybe put it into simpler terms or point me the right direction to begin answering it? Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Start thinking about the female characters and their relation to men. You can start brainstorming by writing down the female character's names and connecting them to the male characters.

1. Celie - Mr. ____
2. Nettie - Mr. ____
3. Shug - Mr. _____
4. Harpo - Squeak
5. Sophia - Squeak

Think about the relationship between the females and the males, how is it that the relationship that they have with the males affect ttheir lives? How does it change them? How does it make them who they are?

In terms of male identity, how does who they are, affect their lives? Do they feel that because they are male that they can do the things they do?

Hope this helps, good luck!