Category: Lesbian

Book Review Preliminary

Cameron Duders Awfully Devoted Women: Lesbian Lives in Canada 1900-65 stands out as a must-read masterpiece that centers on the sexual relationships that existed before 1965 in Canada.

Before 1965, lesbianism was secretive despite the failure to account for the many episodes of same-sex relationship that existed among the middle-class women, upper class, and working class.

The author, Cameron Duder attempts to uncover/unravel the life/intimate relationships of these women through the book.

The authors main point is that lesbianism in Canada was something that was going on with nobody having any hint about it (Duder 1). The paper strategically analyzes the various tactics that the author uses to deliver this claim to the reader.

Review

Firstly, the content of the book is reliable. Duder draws from an array of documents i.e. letters, newspapers articles, journal entries, and even interviews with women who engaged in same-sex relationships. These women were devoted to one another expressing love and affection among themselves.

The author first looks at the manner of relationships between professional women from 1900 to 1950 in Canada. Such relationships were referred to romantic friendships during this period (Duder 12). They were considered as merely close friendship.

However, the women involved were not required to disclose them to any third party because it could create suspicion.

Duder says, Because women were assumed to be incapable of the same nature and degree of sexual passion as men, it was inconceivable to many that they could desire each other and could engage in same sex sexual activity (25).

If such relationships came to the public limelight, they risked being condemned because women were not perceived to be sexual beings. He quotes, women were not perceived as, and did not perceive themselves as sexual beings&had physical sexuality been revealed, the women concerned could have been condemned (Duder 21).

The bulk of the book is referenced from the novel the well of loneliness by Radclyffe Halls, a famous lesbian novel written in 1928. Women lived as wives who practiced lesbianism in secret to avoid public ridicule.

Duder also investigates the application of the word lesbianism. Universities, schools, and working places played a great role in enhancing lesbianism as people could meet here.

The workplaces, the universities and colleges, the parties, and the political groups were all sites for the establishment of same-sex relationships between women (Duder 23).

The book explores at length various aspects of lesbians, for instance, from first encounters to how lesbian bar culture grew and became dominant in Canada.

Therefore, the book provides a vivid understanding of lesbianism in Canada during this period. The author, Cameron Duder is an independent researcher who is based in Vancouver.

He is therefore a person with skills and experience in transgender studies, sexuality, and history of mental heath.

The authors thesis is well delivered. Women who were devoted to the practice were secretive for fear of isolation or rebuke from the public.

The history on same sex relationships in Canada is scanty and therefore, the author sought to gather this piecemeal information from the 19^th century to the mid 20^th century.

Therefore, the author is trying to inform the public and any other person who is interested in the history or knowledge of sexuality and lesbianism in Canada.

The authors goal is to set the record correct on same-sex relationships in Canada and its origin besides showing how it came to be known to the public domain.

Other parts of America had well-documented information about lesbianism as compared to Canada. Therefore, it was salient for the author to carry out research in a bid come out with tangible/credible information concerning the behavior in Canada.

To communicate his message in a manner to trigger understanding, Duder employed various strategies to achieve this. In writing the book, he had the audience that he was targeting in his mind. The book targets people who have an interest in history specifically lesbianism.

The society is made up of different people with different interests. The author therefore aimed to reach out to historians to help them understand how lesbianism began in Canada and how it came to grow to its level currently. Various changes have occurred since early 19^th century.

Women who had any desire for fellow women could not come out to the public because of the stigmatization. Nevertheless, currently, transformation has happened. Various organizations have been set up to protect the rights of such women in the society.

Even though the society is reluctant to accept them, it is slowly changing its perception and that women in same sex relationships are being accepted by the larger society. Women in these relationships may really be relieved after reading the book because the book is acknowledging their presence.

It also marks the dawn for reworking of the existing constitutional rights in a bid to incorporate the lesbians rights as well. The authors reason for researching on this area is clear in the book. He was curious to understand how lesbianism emerged in Canada.

Other states and countries have elaborative history and information documented in their libraries and archives concerning lesbianism. Therefore, the motive for writing this book was his interest in finding out more about lesbianism in Canada (Korinek 204).

The book is straight and to the point in terms of delivering the lesbianism history and its development as the central theme in the book. Various issues revolve around this. The period the book covers is from 1900 to 1965.

Even though the author develops his thesis from literatures and writing from the late 19^th century, the book covers Canada in its scope. The author centers his arguments and discussions on Canada because he wants to explore the country extensively.

The author has also managed to achieve his objectives through the book by using life interviews with group of women who lived between 1930s and 1970s. Awfully Devoted Women adds a Canadian voice to that challenge, demonstrating that the women whose letters I examine conformed in many ways to the language of the romantic friendship (Duder 25).

These women, some of whom were lesbianism, provided valuable information that necessitated the compilation of the book. Furthermore, the author borrows from newspaper articles, journal entries, and letters written in late 1900s talking about same sex relationships.

The author has provided tangible examples and quotations from various letters and pieces of writing that have helped to authentic his points and arguments throughout the book (Korinek 204). This is illustrated through the quote, Nettie wrote a lengthy letter explaining how Helene could change her approach to the problem (Duder 32).

The author strategically convinces the reader by providing various arguments that indeed lesbianism existed in Canada since 19^th century even though little information is available to authentic this.

The few documented information is evident that women in Canada practiced the act in secret without the knowledge of their husbands. Expressions of romantic love between women, which previously could have been uttered without condemnation, were, by the 1920s, being viewed with suspicion (Duder 24).

Secondly, lesbianism in Canada was something that was not agreeable and respected in the society. Therefore, women had to use tactics by being secretive. Third is that women identified their mates through various meeting places such as schools, universities, and at work places.

This and many other ideas that are presented by the author are convincing. The arguments are based on evidence. For instance, he uses quotes from some of the letters that were written by ancient women who practiced same-sex relationships. The author has therefore used ethos, logos, and pathos.

The credibility of the book is evident based on the apparent logic reasoning presented in the book. The author has argued his points in a logic and systematic way. The book provides a background to the issue under argument.

It is subdivided into two parts that ensure that there is clear understanding of what happened in each section. For instance, the first part covers 1600 to 1950 while the second part covers 1950 to 1965, also called post war period (Duder 1).

The ideas are also presented in a very coherent manner. The words used are simple to understand. The book communicates its message easily and in simplicity. Therefore, the way the main arguments are backed up enhances credibility.

The personal interviews that the author conducts gives him first hand information on the way the women behaved hence enhance the level of credibility of the arguments.

The ideas are simple and concise. The author has made this by categorizing every issue or argument in its own topic and supporting it with information from credible sources.

The author is representative in his presentation of ideas. The information presented does not seem to lean on one particular side or perspective. Information and arguments are presented the way they appear on the ground.

Therefore, there is no room for one to claim that the arguments lean on one side. The facts are provided the way they are. For instance, the author quotes some of the verses and phrases that women used to send to fellow women.

A good example is where various letters were send to Betty from B that were about new ideas about same sex relationships,  what is it darling?&what do you think (Duder 49).

The way the author presents his ideas from the perspective of the third person is very essential in the academic scenarios because the reader is able to understand the real such information as it appeared on the ground. People would need to understand the way certain issues happened in the past.

Therefore, presenting facts as the author has done is essential in presenting the history of the issue of same-sex relationships. This has actually made the book better especially to people who take studies or research on areas of sexuality.

It is a fact that the book is original. Even though the wording and the phrasing of ideas is not the same as the sources the user used, the facts presented in the book are largely original.

The reason why the ideas are original is due to the extensive sources that the author has incorporated in the book to back up his argument. The author has done a lot of researching. From the various sources, he has managed to get the first-hand information to incorporate in his argument.

He says, The collection of letters between Frieda Fraser and Edith (Bud) Bickerton Williams is the largest thus far in Canadian lesbian history (Duder 35). Of course, he is not an angel to have known everything that happened during the past years.

However, the sources and the written manuscript that he used show some level of credibility and originality in the thoughts. Secondly, the book is fascinating and interesting especially on how the author incorporated ideas from letters.

It makes the book an attention-grabbing one when reading and or thinking about those old days and how women were able to communicate and express their feelings through letters.

The new thing that has interested me in the book is the extensive use of primary data. Women who engaged in same-sex relationships borrow a good share of the book from various ideas as postulated from various one-on-one interviews.

This has actually taken a notch higher in the research and compilation of the book. Most of the books are normally written based on secondary sources, but this one has incorporated information from both sources. This has made the book more original, reliable, and interesting to read.

The book has also provided new ideas about same-sex relationships. The behavior was not welcome by the society as it felt that it was against the norms and values. The women victims at that time were determined to ensure that they lived their lives the way they desired.

They were determined to go against the norms of the society that had provided obstacles for them to express their love and affection (Parks 45). This has enabled the reader to be aware that since such behaviors were denounced by the society time immemorial.

Conclusion

In general, it suffices to conclude that the book is appropriate for reading. It is understandable and therefore recommendable to many different kinds of readers. The book does not require any amendments or revisions because it is well structured and formatted.

Various people have edited the book. Therefore, it satisfies the standards of any publishing house. The language used to convey the message is simple and easy to understand by the target audience. Furthermore, the author has acknowledged the sources and the people who enabled him to complete the work successfully.

The bibliography and index is presented well according to set standards. The author has also provided quotations of the works that he sourced. This makes the book professional, as the author cannot be charged in the court of law for copyright.

Therefore, in general, the book is perfect and recommendable to any reader. The author has presented his arguments in a good way by addressing all aspects concerning lesbianism in Canada.

Any person who did not know about lesbianism in Canada before has an opportunity of exploiting this book. For sure, it is worthy reading, as it educates extensively on aspects of same-sex relationships.

Works Cited

Duder, Cameron. Awfully Devoted Women: Lesbian Lives in Canada. 1900-65. London, UBC Press, 2010. Print.

Korinek, Valerie. Awfully Devoted Women: Lesbian Lives in Canada, 1900-65. Labour/ Le Travail 69.1(2012): 204-206. Print.

Parks, Joy. Awfully devoted women. Horizons 25.4(2012): 45-45. Print.

Over history, many issues have raised controversy in our society. One of such issues is the issue of homosexuality in our society. To be specific the issue of same sex coupling and marriages which attracts a lot of mixed reactions fro the members of the society. In as much as such an issue is controversial the society has had it’s creation of how life is for the homosexuals. Much of this creation has been influenced by the well presented life of gay marriages touching on men.

These types of marriages have been highlighted so much by the media to the extent of the society accepting the issue of men and gayism as a normal occurrence in the society. The issue of women and same sex marriages or coupling in women has not received much of the publicity as has been given to their male counterparts.

There have been stereotypic beliefs that lesbianism in the society would not be well accepted and as such any attention that had been given to such relationships had portrayed the negative picture. This perspective has prevailed for such a long time while it remained a fact that these people existed in our community. It is with the airing of the L Word show that this perspective has been changed or is bound to change. In my evaluation of this show it has gone along way in to changing the community’s perspective on the issue of lesbianism. This is because the show portrayed lesbians in a positive way just like other human beings.

They are seen in the show through the different characters as they face challenges and overcome them. This is contrary to the traditional view portrayed where the lesbian characters involved in previous shows ended up in pathetic conditions which would make no one to identify with them or want to be identified as lesbian. It has mostly been associated with stigma, has been repressed and viewed as sinful. This is contrary to what we witness in this show since it tries to normalize lesbian relationships through the media just like gayism has been.

I would also highlight that the show has made a step forward in recognizing all the members of our society. This recognition is regardless of an individual’s sexual preference and as such has acted as a voice for the minority lesbian members of he community. As the show portrays the lesbians are seen on a positive note. In their interactions they are seen supporting each other to go through the hardships that they face and eventually emerging victorious.

Such a picture in the show helps one to get a glimpse of how life is on the other side of life of the lesbians. Even when hey are faced by challenges and isolation from their families they always stand with one another. Such high levels of friendships help them to find solace.

The public appearances of lesbian groups to me are a changed focus on things by he community. Now that the lesbians can meet in public gatherings and not in the traditional night clubs and restaurants is big leap forward. The next thing likely to happen is the involvement of a lesbian’s movement in demand for their rights in the nation. Such rights will make them to be people fit to live in the society and to have families of their own just like other members of the community. This is clearly portrayed in the episode about adopting a family and the choice of the race of the child. Since such provisions are not there in the law. Then the show acts like a call up to the other lesbians to be aware that they can also head families and be successful parents. Such is a sensitive issue though it does not appear to materialize in the play.

The kind of lifestyle portrayed in the show about the lesbians is out of touch with the reality. This is because it is such a high class lifestyle to which many of the people can not identify with. The success portrayed by the lesbians is also a distorted view of reality. Therefore the identification likely to be seen by the lesbians who watch the show is not likely to be forthcoming. Although it is hard to portray the reality in a cast it is important to consider some aspects of reality in order to be in touch with the people’s way of life. As much as the aspects of the lesbian way of life are revealed there is little of the full representation of the average lesbian life. One can easily make a conclusion that the show was targeted at making financial gains not so to appeal to some kind of a group but both of these are important considerations to be put in place

The traditional view of women’s role is challenged so much in the cast. This because traditionally women have lived under male dominance, a fact that is far much challenged by the show. Other areas that have been challenged include the role of women as child bearers, domestic workers and objects of beauty. From the cast none of the afore-mentioned has been spared. To some great extend this can be viewed as an empowerment for women.

However this should not misguide the community that lesbians are always successful people. One thing that I think should have been portrayed and fought for is the liberation of women in our society something that could have been very effective.

Works Cited

The L Word from the Beginning. 2008. Web.

Fans of Lesbians on TV: The L Word Generation. 2008. Web.

Book Review Preliminary

Cameron Duder’s Awfully Devoted Women: Lesbian Lives in Canada 1900-65 stands out as a must-read masterpiece that centers on the sexual relationships that existed before 1965 in Canada.

Before 1965, lesbianism was secretive despite the failure to account for the many episodes of same-sex relationship that existed among the middle-class women, upper class, and working class.

The author, Cameron Duder attempts to uncover/unravel the life/intimate relationships of these women through the book.

The author’s main point is that lesbianism in Canada was something that was going on with nobody having any hint about it (Duder 1). The paper strategically analyzes the various tactics that the author uses to deliver this claim to the reader.

Review

Firstly, the content of the book is reliable. Duder draws from an array of documents i.e. letters, newspapers articles, journal entries, and even interviews with women who engaged in same-sex relationships. These women were devoted to one another expressing love and affection among themselves.

The author first looks at the manner of relationships between professional women from 1900 to 1950 in Canada. Such relationships were referred to “romantic friendships” during this period (Duder 12). They were considered as merely close friendship.

However, the women involved were not required to disclose them to any third party because it could create suspicion.

Duder says, “Because women were assumed to be incapable of the same nature and degree of sexual passion as men, it was inconceivable to many that they could desire each other and could engage in same sex sexual activity” (25).

If such relationships came to the public limelight, they risked being condemned because women were not perceived to be sexual beings. He quotes, “women were not perceived as, and did not perceive themselves as sexual beings…had physical sexuality been revealed, the women concerned could have been condemned” (Duder 21).

The bulk of the book is referenced from the novel ‘the well of loneliness by Radclyffe Halls, a famous lesbian novel written in 1928. Women lived as wives who practiced lesbianism in secret to avoid public ridicule.

Duder also investigates the application of the word lesbianism. Universities, schools, and working places played a great role in enhancing lesbianism as people could meet here.

“The workplaces, the universities and colleges, the parties, and the political groups were all sites for the establishment of same-sex relationships between women” (Duder 23).

The book explores at length various aspects of lesbians, for instance, from first encounters to how lesbian bar culture grew and became dominant in Canada.

Therefore, the book provides a vivid understanding of lesbianism in Canada during this period. The author, Cameron Duder is an independent researcher who is based in Vancouver.

He is therefore a person with skills and experience in transgender studies, sexuality, and history of mental heath.

The author’s thesis is well delivered. Women who were devoted to the practice were secretive for fear of isolation or rebuke from the public.

The history on same sex relationships in Canada is scanty and therefore, the author sought to gather this piecemeal information from the 19^th century to the mid 20^th century.

Therefore, the author is trying to inform the public and any other person who is interested in the history or knowledge of sexuality and lesbianism in Canada.

The author’s goal is to set the record correct on same-sex relationships in Canada and its origin besides showing how it came to be known to the public domain.

Other parts of America had well-documented information about lesbianism as compared to Canada. Therefore, it was salient for the author to carry out research in a bid come out with tangible/credible information concerning the behavior in Canada.

To communicate his message in a manner to trigger understanding, Duder employed various strategies to achieve this. In writing the book, he had the audience that he was targeting in his mind. The book targets people who have an interest in history specifically lesbianism.

The society is made up of different people with different interests. The author therefore aimed to reach out to historians to help them understand how lesbianism began in Canada and how it came to grow to its level currently. Various changes have occurred since early 19^th century.

Women who had any desire for fellow women could not come out to the public because of the stigmatization. Nevertheless, currently, transformation has happened. Various organizations have been set up to protect the rights of such women in the society.

Even though the society is reluctant to accept them, it is slowly changing its perception and that women in same sex relationships are being accepted by the larger society. Women in these relationships may really be relieved after reading the book because the book is acknowledging their presence.

It also marks the dawn for reworking of the existing constitutional rights in a bid to incorporate the lesbian’s rights as well. The author’s reason for researching on this area is clear in the book. He was curious to understand how lesbianism emerged in Canada.

Other states and countries have elaborative history and information documented in their libraries and archives concerning lesbianism. Therefore, the motive for writing this book was his interest in finding out more about lesbianism in Canada (Korinek 204).

The book is straight and to the point in terms of delivering the lesbianism history and its development as the central theme in the book. Various issues revolve around this. The period the book covers is from 1900 to 1965.

Even though the author develops his thesis from literatures and writing from the late 19^th century, the book covers Canada in its scope. The author centers his arguments and discussions on Canada because he wants to explore the country extensively.

The author has also managed to achieve his objectives through the book by using life interviews with group of women who lived between 1930s and 1970s. “Awfully Devoted Women adds a Canadian voice to that challenge, demonstrating that the women whose letters I examine conformed in many ways to the language of the romantic friendship” (Duder 25).

These women, some of whom were lesbianism, provided valuable information that necessitated the compilation of the book. Furthermore, the author borrows from newspaper articles, journal entries, and letters written in late 1900s talking about same sex relationships.

The author has provided tangible examples and quotations from various letters and pieces of writing that have helped to authentic his points and arguments throughout the book (Korinek 204). This is illustrated through the quote, “Nettie wrote a lengthy letter explaining how Helene could change her approach to the problem” (Duder 32).

The author strategically convinces the reader by providing various arguments that indeed lesbianism existed in Canada since 19^th century even though little information is available to authentic this.

The few documented information is evident that women in Canada practiced the act in secret without the knowledge of their husbands. “Expressions of romantic love between women, which previously could have been uttered without condemnation, were, by the 1920s, being viewed with suspicion” (Duder 24).

Secondly, lesbianism in Canada was something that was not agreeable and respected in the society. Therefore, women had to use tactics by being secretive. Third is that women identified their mates through various meeting places such as schools, universities, and at work places.

This and many other ideas that are presented by the author are convincing. The arguments are based on evidence. For instance, he uses quotes from some of the letters that were written by ancient women who practiced same-sex relationships. The author has therefore used ethos, logos, and pathos.

The credibility of the book is evident based on the apparent logic reasoning presented in the book. The author has argued his points in a logic and systematic way. The book provides a background to the issue under argument.

It is subdivided into two parts that ensure that there is clear understanding of what happened in each section. For instance, the first part covers 1600 to 1950 while the second part covers 1950 to 1965, also called post war period (Duder 1).

The ideas are also presented in a very coherent manner. The words used are simple to understand. The book communicates its message easily and in simplicity. Therefore, the way the main arguments are backed up enhances credibility.

The personal interviews that the author conducts gives him first hand information on the way the women behaved hence enhance the level of credibility of the arguments.

The ideas are simple and concise. The author has made this by categorizing every issue or argument in its own topic and supporting it with information from credible sources.

The author is representative in his presentation of ideas. The information presented does not seem to lean on one particular side or perspective. Information and arguments are presented the way they appear on the ground.

Therefore, there is no room for one to claim that the arguments lean on one side. The facts are provided the way they are. For instance, the author quotes some of the verses and phrases that women used to send to fellow women.

A good example is where various letters were send to Betty from B that were about new ideas about same sex relationships, “ what is it darling?…what do you think” (Duder 49).

The way the author presents his ideas from the perspective of the third person is very essential in the academic scenarios because the reader is able to understand the real such information as it appeared on the ground. People would need to understand the way certain issues happened in the past.

Therefore, presenting facts as the author has done is essential in presenting the history of the issue of same-sex relationships. This has actually made the book better especially to people who take studies or research on areas of sexuality.

It is a fact that the book is original. Even though the wording and the phrasing of ideas is not the same as the sources the user used, the facts presented in the book are largely original.

The reason why the ideas are original is due to the extensive sources that the author has incorporated in the book to back up his argument. The author has done a lot of researching. From the various sources, he has managed to get the first-hand information to incorporate in his argument.

He says, “The collection of letters between Frieda Fraser and Edith (Bud) Bickerton Williams is the largest thus far in Canadian lesbian history” (Duder 35). Of course, he is not an angel to have known everything that happened during the past years.

However, the sources and the written manuscript that he used show some level of credibility and originality in the thoughts. Secondly, the book is fascinating and interesting especially on how the author incorporated ideas from letters.

It makes the book an attention-grabbing one when reading and or thinking about those old days and how women were able to communicate and express their feelings through letters.

The new thing that has interested me in the book is the extensive use of primary data. Women who engaged in same-sex relationships borrow a good share of the book from various ideas as postulated from various one-on-one interviews.

This has actually taken a notch higher in the research and compilation of the book. Most of the books are normally written based on secondary sources, but this one has incorporated information from both sources. This has made the book more original, reliable, and interesting to read.

The book has also provided new ideas about same-sex relationships. The behavior was not welcome by the society as it felt that it was against the norms and values. The women victims at that time were determined to ensure that they lived their lives the way they desired.

They were determined to go against the norms of the society that had provided obstacles for them to express their love and affection (Parks 45). This has enabled the reader to be aware that since such behaviors were denounced by the society time immemorial.

Conclusion

In general, it suffices to conclude that the book is appropriate for reading. It is understandable and therefore recommendable to many different kinds of readers. The book does not require any amendments or revisions because it is well structured and formatted.

Various people have edited the book. Therefore, it satisfies the standards of any publishing house. The language used to convey the message is simple and easy to understand by the target audience. Furthermore, the author has acknowledged the sources and the people who enabled him to complete the work successfully.

The bibliography and index is presented well according to set standards. The author has also provided quotations of the works that he sourced. This makes the book professional, as the author cannot be charged in the court of law for copyright.

Therefore, in general, the book is perfect and recommendable to any reader. The author has presented his arguments in a good way by addressing all aspects concerning lesbianism in Canada.

Any person who did not know about lesbianism in Canada before has an opportunity of exploiting this book. For sure, it is worthy reading, as it educates extensively on aspects of same-sex relationships.

Works Cited

Duder, Cameron. Awfully Devoted Women: Lesbian Lives in Canada. 1900-65. London, UBC Press, 2010. Print.

Korinek, Valerie. “Awfully Devoted Women: Lesbian Lives in Canada, 1900-65.” Labour/ Le Travail 69.1(2012): 204-206. Print.

Parks, Joy. “Awfully devoted women.” Horizons 25.4(2012): 45-45. Print.

Introduction

The epistolary novella “Color Purple” is a story of resilience and great transformation where the author gives a lot of ideas on relationships of friendship, oppressive domination, courage and the quest for independence. In it she relates the story of Celie, a woman with a phenomenal rise from one oppressed and dependent and climaxes at the emancipated self at the end of the book. As readers we perceive these through the eyes of the sisters Celie and Netie as they narrate the fateful life the young lady, her fights through the physical and emotional abuse. As a child she is raped by the step father and has two children. These experiences make her more inclined to a bisexual life especially the one she (Celie) has with Shugs, Mr. ______”s mistress. This relationship brings one aspect of the lesbianism that is expressed in the book.

Main body

It must be however stated that lesbianism exists in the book but it does not vividly come out in the book by any graphic illustrations. There are two ways to perceive lesbianism in the book. First this term could be taken to mean the traditional understanding where there is romantic or sexual relationship or attraction between two females living together. It could also mean the female expression of dissatisfaction with male domination or institutions such as Patriarchy or capitalism that result in the alienation of the female gender. Similarly it can also be a relationship where the female partners avoid the conventional married life and resist male tyranny at all cost.

Lesbianism can occur to the women who live or work together in a platonic or a more emotional level. In the book we see a number of female characters who seem orientated in one or both forms of lesbianism. Shug’s and Celie’s relationship is the most pronounced in the book. When Celie first see Shug in a photograph, she remarks that “the most beautiful woman I ever saw.” Shugs on the other hand initially insults Celie as “Surely Ugly” in their first meeting, they become close, makes Celie begin to appreciate her worth and engage in lesbianism. in another instance when she arrives home for Christmas, they are left alone in the house Shugs asks to stay warm in Celie’s bed with her. After Celies reveals her rape ordeal to her , she puts her arms around her and they both cry, after sometime they begin to touch each other and kiss, she goes to her room when the men return. this is not surprising at all because the love affair between the two has been suspected until this point of physical engagement. the other female relationships suspected are that between Eleanor and Sofia. Eleanor Miss Millie’s daughter tries her best to make Sofia care for her like she does for Sofia. unfortunately her efforts to persuade Sofia are un successful.

The second lesbian relationship of revolt against oppression is also vivid in the life of many characters. the ladies provide emotional strength to each other to ward off male chauvinism. the contrast that existed between them become less distinct. Sofia tells Celie that she ought to bash Mr._____ head open. (Walker 44). This could be a way to edge Celie away from passivity. at the same time Shug inspires Celie to view love life and god with a new perspective. From this point of feminism we see her transform from an hitherto timid, young and vulnerable to a confident woman who has learned what it means to love and be loved and succeeds through the opportunities she takes advantage of. It is a rebirth of Celie into oneness with self and others and even the world perception of what is beyond understanding and love. It unites the women as comrades in a spiritual journey of discovery and challenge of the status quo. As a result they fight for their survival and that of their families. Celie is able as a result of this too set up her own business, and works in the same house her father did work in.

When she incorporates trousers- a symbol of masculinity- into her wardrobe it shows her entry in “masculinity”. She thus becomes not only confident but also self supporting. This independence comes when Shugs grants her financial assistance. at the end of the novel her submissive temperament disappears and is replaced by words of audacity previously uncommon to her. for instance when she says that she is pore, black, may be ugly and cannot cook but present! the readers can only marvel at the transformation and emancipation she has undergone and the achievement of a sense of self respect. Sofia and Shug enables Celie to be an independent, confident and resilient woman.

Works cited

Foster Jeanette Sex variant Women in Literature: A Historical and quantitative survey. New York: Vantage Press, (1956).

Walker, Alice The Color Purple. New York: Pocket books, 1982.