Character Evolution in the Color PurpleThe most important aspect of the Color Purple is the growth and maturity of each individual. There is a huge transition of many characters from the beginning to the end of the novel. This evolution of the characters is a recurring theme that runs throughout the novel and can be traced in Celie's letters. Women fight for freedom in a society where they are inferior to men. Towards the end of the novel one can perceive the slow evolution towards the growing emancipation of women. The strongest example of women's empowerment is Celie's character. She is a victim of racism, men, sexual roles and social injustices. Celie begins the novel completely helpless, repeatedly raped and beaten. The only person she can turn to is God. She is extremely weakened by sex. Celie describes sex as something that is done to her, but never as something she enjoys. Thus, sex with Mr.____ reduces his status to that of an object just lying there and waiting for it to end. The turning point in Celie's life is the arrival of Shug Avery, who teaches her things she never knew. His arrival places Celie at the lowest point in her life because now, along with everything else, she becomes a servant to Shug. What he didn't know was that Shug's arrival actually serves as a catalyst for his power. Celie says, “For the first time in my life, I feel good.” Shug Avery is very different from most of the characters portrayed in the novel. She is much stronger than most women and stands up for what she believes in. Shug definitely wasn't the typical woman of those times. She was a figure that represented female blues performers, like… a paper medium… and she obeys Harpo just like Celie does and it's so obvious that Celie is even able to notice it. He tells Squeak, "Have Harpo call you by your real name," but Squeak has no answer and just looks at Celie perplexed. When Squeak is first introduced in the novel as Harpo's girlfriend, Sophia knocks out her front teeth. After this he still stays with Harpo. Furthermore, he even goes to the mayor to support Sophia and try to get her out of prison. After being raped by the mayor, Squeak declares to everyone, "My name Mary Agnes." She is able to recover and recover from her uncle who raped her rather than be defeated. She asserts herself as an individual and commands respect by insisting on being called by her real name.Works Cited1. http://www.lambda.net/~maximum/rainey.html2. Bessie Smith Collection