Why any woman give a shit what people think is a mystery to me Shug Avery to Albert (page 230) This indulgence posed danger for the women as the men of Olinka felt entitled to the servitude of the women and had no whims about subjugating the women. She was telling Celie how the women of Olinka indulge their men and praise their littlest accomplishments which makes their men behave childishly like spoilt children. Nettie was referring to the men of Olinka when she said this in her letter to Celie. Nettie thought that having a childish mentality and the powers of an adult was a dangerous combination. This speech is an indication of how patriarchal the people of Olinka were.Ī grown child is a dangerous thing Nettie to Celie in one of her letters (page185) The Olinka village man was telling Nettie in their culture that a woman is meant to always be under the care of a man and that any woman without a man in her life is to be pitied and viewed with contempt. An Olinka village man to Nettie (page 178) Do not be offended Sister Nettie but our people pity women such as you who are cast out, we know not from where, into a world unknown to you, where you must struggle all alone for yourself. There is always someone to look after the Olinka woman. Nettie was trying to make the man realize that the world was evolving into a place where women also have a place in society and so should be educated if they wanted to be. Nettie had found a bright Olinka girl who was interested in learning and had happily started to teach her, but the girl’s father would have none of it. The Olinka people, while appreciative of the value of western education, only sent boys to school, believing that the girls will have no use for schooling since their place in society is to serve the men. This was Nettie’s response to a native African man who was angry that Nettie was teaching his daughter how to read and write. It is no longer a world just for boys Nettie to an Olinka man in Africa (page 178) This is a pitiable perception of women that, unfortunately, can still be found in some societies even in the 21st century. In their view, a woman has no value beyond being a medium of procreation to further a man’s lineage. This is an indication of how the patriarchal society of Olinka viewed women. Nettie’s conversation with a woman of Olinka (page 171) Why, she said, the mother of his children.īut I am not the mother of anybody’s children, I said, and I am Something. When I asked a mother why she thought this, she said: A girl is nothing to herself only to her husband can she become something. The Olinka do not believe girls should be educated. Sofia felt betrayed at this because she had earlier seen Celie as a friend and also as a fellow struggling black woman, and so, did not expect Celie to act in a way that would sabotage her happiness in her matrimonial home.Ĭelie apologized and told Sofia she acted out of jealousy, and the two women reconciled and became friends again. Harpo then told her that the suggestion to beat her came from Celie. When the character of Harpo tried beating her, she fought back and even bested him. Sofia was battling with so many emotions, including anger, betrayal, and disappointment, as she said this to Celie. It was Sofia passionately telling Celie about her gender struggles in life after she discovered that Celie had advised Harpo to beat her. The depth of emotions behind this speech makes this one of the most unforgettable quotes in The Color Purple. But I never thought I’d have to fight in my own house. A girl child ain’t safe in a family of men. Below are some notable quotes from the phenomenal story.Īll my life, I had to fight. The Color Purple has touching quotes that are mostly on the dynamics of gender, race, and religion.
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