Celie’s life begins in a confused acceptance. She has no personal ideals, goals, or aspirations. She just accepts what is, and her only goal is to survive. She even ponders if death is a better alternative to her life, saying “It’s worse than that, I think. If I was buried, I wouldn’t have to work,” (17). This perception is tied to her idea of God at the beginning of the book. Though she writes letters to God, Celie merely sees him as some overruling force, some big white man up in the sky. Eventually she develops a relationship with this figure, and as Garrison says, he “is the most trusted and wise listener to hear Celie’s tribulations and grievances.” However, Shug finally shows Celie God is not distant, he is everywhere. When she realizes every being has a oneness with God, a “feeling of being part of everything,” (195) she sees she power and control of her life. If she wants to change, she can.

Which is God?

Chetna discusses Celie’s search for self throughout the book. She is confused about herself, her parents, her responsibilities, her identity. She is shocked when she finds out “Pa is not our Pa!” (176) and feels like her life has been a lie. Celie is also confused about her place as a woman. For all of her life, she has been responsible for protecting her sister Nettie, doing chores, taking care of Mr. __’s children. She basically sees herself as a parent, taking care of everyone but herself. Eventually, Celie learns from Sofia, Nettie, and Shug that she doesn’t have to uphold these twisted expectations. Sofia is a strong, independent woman who stands up to her husband. Nettie is an educated woman missionary who doesn’t need men to rely on. Shug lives up to her own expectations, doing anything and everything she chooses. Celie is finally able to cast off Mr. __ and assert her independence, saying “It’s time to leave you and enter into the Creation. And your dead body is just the welcome mat I need,” (199). She goes on to become a self-supporting entrepreneur, a content person, a superwoman.