An Analytical Account on Identity Formation and Agency :Exploring Female Characters in Alice Walker's The Color Purple

Abstract

The present dissertation seeks to investigate the identity formation and agency among the female characters in Alice Walker’s novel The Color Purple (1982) . It aims at showcasing the intrinsic role that feminist solidarity plays in sustaining the female identity and self fulfillment in male-centred societies . The present work , also , endeavours to conduct a feminist as well as psychological study of the main five female characters : Celie , Shug , Sofia , Mary and Nettie in order to elucidate their ability to surmount the hindrances imposed on them because of their gender . In order to realize the objectives of the present study , a descriptive method along with an analytical one have been followed in order to draw a parallel link between feminist as well psychological analysis of female’s struggle in patriarchal societies . Finally , the present dissertation concludes that the female characters succeed in reconstructing their identities and maintain their agency because of their feminist bonding