英语本科毕业论文简析《紫色》中黑人女性对自我价值的追求

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1、 单位代码 10642 密 级 公 开 学 号 200803024060 学士学位论文中文题目：简析紫色中黑人女性对自我价值的追求论文作者： xx指导教师： xxx 学科专业：英语专业（商务方向） 提交论文日期： 年 月 日论文答辩日期： 年 月 日学位授予单位：重庆文理学院 中 国 重 庆2012年5月BA Thesis Chongqing University of Arts and SciencesEnglish Title: Brief Analysis of Black Womans Pursuit of Self-value in The Color of Purple BA Ca

2、ndidate: XXSupervisor: XXMajor: English School of Foreign LanguagesChongqing University of Arts and SciencesMay, 20122012 届英语专业学士学位论文 AbstractTable of Contents 中文摘要Abstract.1. Introduction12. Background Information 2 2.1 The Development of Feminism2 2.2 The Literature of Feminism22.3 The Development

3、 of Womanism33. Introduction of the Author and the Novel43.1 Brief Introduction of Alice Walker43.2 The Color of Purple44. The Black Womans Pursuit of Self-value5 4.1 Struggle for Self-respect5 4.2 Pursuit of Love5 4.3 Struggle against Violence7 4.4 Dedication to Education and Social Management75. C

4、onclusion8Notes.9Works Cited.10Acknowledgements.11 摘 要随着对英语学习的不断深入，英美文学和欧洲美洲的社会文化逐渐成为人们关注的重点。这篇论文旨在通过爱丽丝沃克和她的代表作品紫色来剖析和窥视上世纪六十年代的美国风起云涌的女权斗争。本文通过结合小说作品情节和历史资料，阐述了美国女权运动中黑人妇女的斗争，论证了妇女主义这一概念在黑人社会中的独特含义，得出了妇女需要通过不断的斗争和努力才能获得尊重和社会地位。爱丽丝被认为是非裔美国妇女的代言人而紫色则被认为是阐释黑人妇女社会现状的白皮书。在这篇论文中首先将介绍几个专业的名词，比如说，妇女主义、父权主

5、义。然后在此基础上，结合小说，通过四个方面-自我价值的实现，反抗暴力，主人翁对爱的追求以及对社会和教育事业的现身进行分析、总结，最后得出如上结论。通过对文章的解析，将对小说和黑人妇女的女权斗争有个更深刻的印象。关键词：女权主义，黑人妇女，爱丽丝 沃克Abstract This research paper aims at analyzing Africa-American womens families and social status during the 1960s- the second feminism movement.Alice Walker was the spokeswoma

6、n of Africa-American in the second feminism movement. She came up with the theory -womanism which was different from feminism, and her masterpiece The Color of Purple (2008, Alice Walker) 1 not only won her the Pulitzer but also made her one of the leaders of feminism. This book concerning a black w

7、omans growth- how she got ride of physical bound and struggled against spiritual oppression, will be a point of penetration to peep at black womans fate.In this research book, firstly, some terminologies will be introduced, such as feminism, womanism and Patriarchal; the reader will understand the b

8、ackground information better after that. Secondly, the attention will be focused on the contents, mainly including four parts: how they achieved their self-value; how they against for violence; Celies pursuit of love and black womens dedication to education and social management. From these four par

9、ts, we can see how black woman gradually realized that they held their own fate, and that they had the ability and responsibility to find them.After the analysis of this book, there comes a brief understanding about feminism , a systematic learning of Alice Walker and her masterpiece the Color of Pu

10、rple, additionally we will have a further understanding about Africa-American womens living state.Key Words: Feminism, African-American Woman, Alice WalkerII2011英语专业学士学位论文Brief Analysis of Black Womans Pursuit of Self-value in the Color of Purple1. Introduction In the last 20th century, feminism exp

11、erienced a new and powerful development. With the technology and science breakthrough, different theories put forward, such as Freud and his Consciousness theory, the western feminism pioneer Simone de Beauvior and her masterpiece The Second Sex which was regarded as the Bible for feminism. All thes

12、e achievement brought it a systemic and integrated theoretical basis. Besides, in the literature area, especially the feminist writers emphasized their observation on womans role in family and society. These articles broke the frame of traditional womans image, shaped the fresh image who dared to ch

13、allenge the traditional society bravely (2010 Ju).So that the peak process of womanism (feminism) was in the 1970s, which was consistent with the Civic Right Moment, this period was the most prosperous time in American history, the economy boosted rapidly, the Students Movement developed fiercely, w

14、oman stepped into society vastly, they tried to acquire the equal right with man (2009 Henian), they refused to stay at home, just be a kind mother and a qualified wife. All these factors stimulated black women, they welcomed a golden time. A lot of black feminism appeared, such Bell Hooks and Alice

15、 Walker. However the world changed rapidly, the black womens living state sometimes was ignored, for the feminism researchers and publicity, most of their efforts put on the Western society and American white women, rare efforts gave to black woman. Even in the peak period, the black womens living s

16、tate was neglected; some of the white women even were racists. Betty Friedan, “she has been criticized, correctly being narrowly middle class for simplistic argument that urges suburban women to plan their lives ahead” (2008 Margartet Walkers). “Currently feminism, she insists it is racist that had

17、left many women bitterly disillusioned, white women behaved as if the movement belonged to them, Hooks says they ignored the fact that women are divided by all kinds of prejudice”(1984 Bell Hooks).The Color Purple, the novel that would earn Walker the Pulitzer prize and bring her fame beyond her pre

18、vious books and poetry, also brought fierce criticism from those furious with her portrayal of violent black men. But Walkers work has always been about the experiences and inner lives of black women she coined the term womanism that describes a movement of black feminists who felt ignored by mainst

19、ream feminism. Most of the research assignment just focused on Celies fate and her awakening of the awareness of self-value, such as she refused to have sex with Mr.X, insisted to leave home with Shurg and even pursued true love. Other books put forward the symbolize of things that continually appea

20、red in the book, for example, the letters, the God, the pants and the color purple. But rare attention put on some thing very detailed, such as Celies anger and she tried to kill Mr.X, she encouraged Squeak to sing public. In fact, all these things also indicated the authors opinion, her womanism. S

21、o that the research paper will emphasis on these detail things to explore the black womens fate and their fight rather than spare more attention on some themes that are theoretical and political. 2. Back ground InformationFeminism is a collection of movements aiming at defining, establishing, and de

22、fending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of womens rights, Feminist theory exists in a variety of disciplines, emerging from these feminist movements and including general theories and theories about the origins of inequa

23、lity, and, in some cases, about the social construction of sex and gender.2.1 The Development of FeminismThe history of the modern western feminist movements is divided into three waves. Each is described as dealing with different aspects of the same feminist issues. The first wave refers mainly to

24、womens suffrage movements of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries (mainly concerned with womens right to vote). The second wave refers to the ideas and actions associated with the womens liberation movement beginning in the 1960s (which campaigned for legal and social equality for women). Th

25、e third wave refers to a continuation of, and a reaction to, the perceived failures of second-wave feminism, beginning in the 1990s.2.2 The Literature of FeminismThe feminism literature has developed in different countries, for instance, Virginia Woolf, a famous English writer, whose books focused o

26、n the interconnectivity of race, class, and gender and what she describes as their ability to produce and perpetuate systems of oppression and domination, her famous slogan“A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction. A Room of Ones Own (1929，Virginia Woolf) 5, encourage

27、d thousand women and females writers to fight for their rights. Another feminism writer is Simone de Beauvoir, her masterpiece The Second Sex, which is regarded as the bible by the feminists. However, feminism literatures performance is extraordinary outstanding in the United States in terms of scal

28、e and influence. Some critics said that feminism works first appeared in American literature during 19th last century. These works broke the traditional literature model which is full of bias to female characters, shaping a new female image that was dare to challenge the traditional society bravely.

29、 These new-age women resisted the various roles imposed by male, refusing to take children and family as their ultimate and highest duty, pursuing self-realization rather than self-sacrifice. Whats more, some radical female writers took the lead to representing feminism in literature; they called fo

30、r equal right with male in gender relations. (Zhubing Zhong, 2010, 8) 8. In the middle of the 20th century, more and more female writers and feminism sprang up, such as Betty Friedan, Bell Hook, Alice walker and so on. They not only made a significant contribution to literature but also pushed forwa

31、rd the development of civil society and voiced females aspiration. 2.3The Development of WomanismThe word womanism was adapted from author Alice Walker; she used the term in her book In Search of Our Mothers Gardens: Womanist Prose. (1983, Alice Walker) 2 In her book, Walker used the word to describ

32、e the perspective and experiences of colored women. “Womanist theology is a prophetic voice concerned about the well-being of the entire African American community, male and female, adults and children. Womanist theology attempts to help black women see, affirm, and have confidence in the importance

33、 of their experience and faith for determining the character of the Christian religion in the African American community. Womanist theology challenges all oppressive forces impeding black womens struggle for survival and for the development of a positive, productive quality of life conducive to wome

34、ns and the familys freedom and well-being. Womanist theology opposes all oppression based on race, sex, class, sexual preference, physical ability, and caste” said by Delores Williams.Womanism is a term commonly used in the context of academic theological studies. Some authors use womanism and black

35、 feminism almost interchangeably, as they have much overlap and share heroines and foremothers. Other experts make a distinction based on the prioritization of men. Both black and white feminists are primarily concerned with women, in contrast to womens roles in what they consider as male-centered s

36、ociety. Womanists have argued that the gains of second wave feminism and beyond were largely built around the lifestyles and options of highly educated, upper-middle class white women. Some womanists have also argued that negative unintended consequences resulting from feminist reforms have fallen h

37、eavily upon women of color - specifically in regard to the structure of the black family unit.3. Introduction of the Author and the Novel3.1 Brief Introduction of Alice WalkerWalker was born in Eaonton, Geogia, being the youngest of eight children. Growing up with an oral tradition listening histori

38、es from her grandfather, she began writing very privately. Walker became interested in the U.S. civil rights movement in part due to the influence of activist Howard Zinne, continuing the activism that she participated in during her college life with voter registration drives, campaigns for welfare

39、rights and childrens programs in Mississippi.Alice Walker participated the civil rights activities very positive, for example, she marched with thousands in August in the 1963 March on Washington. As a young adult she volunteered to register black voter. In March 2009, Alice Walker traveled to Gaza

40、along with a group of 60 other female activists from the anti-war group Code Pink, in response to the Gaza war.Walkers first book of poetry was written while she was a senior at Sarah Lawrence, In addition to her collected short stories and poetry, Walkers first novel, The Third Life of Grange Copel

41、and, was published in 1970, In 1982, Walker published what has become her best-known work, the novel The Color of Purple. She has published a number of collections of short stories, poetry, and other published work. She expressed the struggles of black people, particularly women, and their lives in

42、a racist, sexist, and violent society. Her writings also focused on the role of colored women in culture and history. Walker is a respectable figure in the liberal political community for her support of unconventional and unpopular views as a matter of principle.3.2 The Color of PurpleTaking place m

43、ostly in rural Georgia, the story focuses on female black life during the 1930s in the Southern United States, addressing the numerous issues including their exceedingly low position in American social culture.Celie was a poor, uneducated fourteen years old girl, raped by her stepfather and born two

44、 children. Then she was forced to marry Mr.X, a brutal macho farmer. Mr. X treated Celie as an animal without a little respect. At the same time, he took a fancy to Nettie, Celies sister. After Mr. X was refused by Nettie, he forced Nettie to leave his home.Mr.X brought his sick mistress Shurg home.

45、 Shurg sympathized Celie very much. She encouraged Celie to pursue her own life, got ride of Mr.X, and to be her own master. Gradually, under the influence of Shurg, Nettie and Sophia, Celies awareness of self-value awoke. She began to achieve her own value, and finally became an independent modern

46、woman.4. The Black Womans Pursuit of Self-valueAt the beginning, Celie was an ignorant and innocent girl; she did not know what were love, respect and happiness. But after she married, some great people, such as Sophia, Shug, and Celie just like the light in the dark, made her future brilliant. Thei

47、r spirit encouraged her. Then she began refused to stay at home, started to own her business, traveled around. Even though there were so many difficulties dangerous, she still went forward bravely and determinedly. These parts will be divided into four subtitles: struggles for self-respect, pursuit

48、of love, against violence and dedication to education and social-management. 4.1 Struggles for Self-respectAt the beginning of this story, Celie was treated like an animal rather than a human, for example, when her stepfather introduced Celie to Mr.X, he said, “she ugly, but she aint stranger to har

49、d work and she anint gonna make you feed it or clothe it”(Alice, 2008, p10) 1 and when Mr.X came to see her, he just “still up on his horse, he look me up and down, Pa rattle his paper, move up, he wont bite, he say”. (Alice, 2008, p12). For the men, Celie was just a tool to make their life better,

50、to take care of their baby, to make their house clean and to satisfy their sexual desire. At this time, she did not know how to be a woman, she knew nothing about herself. Nobody respected her; and she even did not know how to respect herself.But gradually, she was influenced by her black sisters. H

51、er blood-sisterNettie, was given some education, Nettie felt sorry that Celie lost her chance to have education, so she determined to impart knowledge in Celie,she told Celie, “do not let them run over you, you got to fight, you got to fight”. Nettie insisted to teach Celie to learn knowledge; she w

52、as the first teacher who inspired Celie to strive for her self-respect. Netties influence on Celie was far more than this, in Netties later letters, she conveyed and described the scene she saw in her trip and experience, all of which made Celie extremely hate racialism. Nettie was Celies first enli

53、ghtenment teacher. Another woman, who was independent, strong-will and self-determined named Sophia. When they first met, Sophia fought against her father-in-law in public. Her behavior shocked Celie, letting her know that there was another woman who leaded a totally different life, and bringing her

54、 a ray of hope. Sophia fought with Harpo and her own family, she told Celie “all my life had to fight” and gave Celie a suggestion that “you ought to bash Mr.head open”(Alice, 2008,p39) 1. And Sophia slapped the mayor and beaten his wife. Celie began to understand that everyone in the world had the

55、right to fight for equality. In a degree, Sophia was Celies idol.The last black sister who gave Celie both love and courage was Shug. Shug gave her hope when she was in dark, and helped her to know about herself, encouraged her to think independently. She helped Celie found the letters which were hi

56、dden by Mr.X and encouraged her to fight against Albert. Under the influence of these people, Celie began to say no to Mr.X, refused to be a sexual tool, and requested Mr.X to show his respect to her and Sophia. From a innocent and blind girl, she finally became a mature woman.4.2 Pursuit of LoveThe

57、re were two men who played an important role in Celies life. The first one was her stepfather, to which Celie was just a substitution of her mother, a sexual tool, and a servant. He took advantage of Celies ignorance and timidity and raped her. Celie even gave birth to two babies. And for Celie, her

58、 stepfather was a rude, irritable and imperious man; she did not gain a piece of love from him.Another man was Mr.X. Celie thought she will have a new life after she got married, getting rid of pain and unpleasant. However, she did not expect that there was another trap waiting for her. That was end

59、less torture. Mr.X did not want to marry Celie at first. To him, the marriage with Celie was a fair business; for he can get a cow as compensation. Celie would be a qualified “wife”, she can cook, looked after her children and swept house. As her stepfather said, “she good with children, pa say, nev

60、er heard her say a hard word to nary one of them. She can work like a man”. Obviously, what she got from Mr.X was sexual abuse，curse and family violence. Celies stepfather and Mr.X, both wanted to control Celie. They treated her as a servant, a sexual tool, but never a human, they just wanted to get

61、 everything from her, but never wanted to give a little.Shug was different for Celie. She played a profound factor at self- knowing and self- appreciation. She leaded Celie to know her body, helped her learn about physiology and sex, she opened a door which inspired Celie to be a woman. What was mor

62、e, Shug encourage Celie to appreciate her inner beauty, helped her constructed a new awareness of womans value. All these gave Celie an absolutely different definition of life and live. She fell in love with Shug whose love was pure. She ignored Mr.X warning and threat “woman can not love with woman

63、” or “Shug was an amorous woman, she can not love you long time, you will get hurt, just like me.” She determined to go to Memphis with her lover. When she found that Shug fell in love with a young man, she still loved her. To her, Shug was a soul company. 4.3 Against ViolenceThe typical character of traditional social system emphasized on Patriarchy(Patriarchy is a social sy