Oppression & Resistance Quotes

“She tell lies.”

Uses attack as defence, undermines Celie’s credibility and ability to share her trauma.

“You got to fight them for yourself.”

Self-liberation

“I don’t fight, I stay where I’m told. But I’m alive.”

Survival mode, no capacity to resist.

“I make myself wood.”

Image of strength and permanence, shows her inner strength.

“Harpo no better at fighting back his daddy than me.”

Connected through their abuse, Albert will exert control over anyone he can. Harpo is just as powerless as Celie against him.

“But I’ll kill him dead before I let him beat me.”

Prizes her autonomy, it’s a matter of principle that eve her love for Harpo cannot shake.

“she more evil than my mama and that keep her alive.”

She has a resistant spirit, resisting is seen as ‘evil’.

“I act like I’m you.”

Roles reversed, has to survive. Link to letter 55

“My name Mary Agnes, she say.”

Asserts her real identity, demands respect.

“I’m a slave.”

Despite abolishment of slavery in 1865, still slave-like conditions.

“All day long I act just like Sofia.”

Standing up for herself, angry for the first time.

“I begin to strut a little bit.

Gains confidence