The concept of feminism seeks for the betterment of women in the prevailing patriarchal society. Alice Walker is an African-American writer well known for her feminist works. The term 'feminism' was coined specially for the downtrodden black females of the society. Walker wants to give her women identity, dignity and happiness they deserve. She wants them to free from the injustices inflicted upon them by the dominant patriarchal society. Feminism can be defined as class oppression, gender discrimination in the racist society. It worked on the enhancement of women?s cultural and social identity. The Color Purple shows the oppression faced by the African-American women and how this oppression led to black feminist movement. Walker suggests that women can get an upper hand at some point by challenging the authority of their husbands and oppressors, and dare to overcome their odds. Black women?s history is of self-empowerment, struggle against racism and sexism. African-American women have been able to build their own identity. The present study seeks to analyse Alice Walker as an author who shares her own vision of black feminism in her work The Color Purple.
Research Scholar, P.G. Department of English, Magadh University, Bodh-Gaya
