Gender Roles
It is clear in this book that men and women both have specific roles. When I read it, it seemed like women were stuck doing all the house work and taking care of the children, while the men didn't do much at all. It never talked about the men doing any of the dirty work. In order to get away from Mr. _______, start her own business, and become successful; Celie had to do a lot of work. Even though the women in this book end up learning more about life, the men also learn something. I think Mr. _______ realized that how he treated Celie was wrong, and that she deserved better.
Even though women do all the work for their family, the men definitely have the upper hand in the relationship. If Celie ever did anything that Mr. ______ didn't approve of, he made it clear to her that he didn't like it, whether it was verbally or physically. But Sofia and Harpo's relationship was one that doesn't necessarily fit these different roles. Sofia has the upper hand in the relationship, and Harpo is basically following her rules. I think Alice Walker threw in this relationship to tell readers that stereotypes are not always accurate, and that women really could be strong and successful if they wanted to be.
Even though women do all the work for their family, the men definitely have the upper hand in the relationship. If Celie ever did anything that Mr. ______ didn't approve of, he made it clear to her that he didn't like it, whether it was verbally or physically. But Sofia and Harpo's relationship was one that doesn't necessarily fit these different roles. Sofia has the upper hand in the relationship, and Harpo is basically following her rules. I think Alice Walker threw in this relationship to tell readers that stereotypes are not always accurate, and that women really could be strong and successful if they wanted to be.