Female Marginalisation Embodied in The Color Purple and The Yellow Wallpaper

Introduction

Throughout literary history, female marginalization has been a central theme in many works, particularly those written by women seeking to critique patriarchal oppression. Alice Walker’s novel The Color Purple and Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story The Yellow Wallpaper both explore this theme, depicting the struggles of women constrained by societal norms and male dominance. However, while Celie in The Color Purple eventually finds empowerment and self-acceptance, the narrator of The Yellow Wallpaper descends into psychological ruin.

Both authors employ distinct narrative techniques—epistolary storytelling in The Color Purple and stream-of-consciousness in The Yellow Wallpaper—to reflect the internal struggles of their female protagonists. By examining these narrative styles, the characters’ social environments, and the use of symbolism, we can understand how both texts highlight the complexity of female marginalization.

Narrative Method and Female Expression

Epistolary Form in The Color Purple

One of the most striking features of The Color Purple is its epistolary structure, in which Celie narrates her life through a series of letters. This format allows for a deeply personal and unfiltered perspective, free from the intervention of an omniscient narrator. Historically, the epistolary form has been widely used by female authors, including Aphra Behn and Mary Shelley, as it provides women with a direct voice in literature without relying on a male-dominated, authoritative narrative perspective.

However, Walker subverts this tradition by using it not only as a means of self-expression but also as a vehicle for Celie’s personal transformation. At the start of the novel, Celie writes to a patriarchal version of God, demonstrating her internalized belief in male superiority and submission. She refers to her husband only as “Mr.__,” reinforcing her powerlessness in the face of male authority. As the novel progresses, Celie shifts the recipient of her letters from God to her sister Nettie, marking her growth in self-awareness and connection to female solidarity. This transformation mirrors her journey toward independence and liberation from male oppression.

Stream-of-Consciousness in The Yellow Wallpaper

In contrast, The Yellow Wallpaper utilizes stream-of-consciousness narration to portray the protagonist’s descent into madness. Unlike Celie, who gradually reclaims her agency, Gilman’s narrator is trapped within the constraints of patriarchal authority, with her husband John dictating her every move. She is denied the ability to express her thoughts openly, and even within her own mind, she remains conflicted about her situation.

The narrator’s thoughts often reflect the societal expectations placed upon her:

“I get so unreasonably angry with John sometimes. I’m sure I never used to be so sensitive. I think it is due to this nervous condition.”

Her self-doubt and internalization of male-dominated discourse prevent her from fully acknowledging her oppression. Gilman’s use of fragmented, erratic narration reflects her mental deterioration, reinforcing the idea that women under patriarchal oppression are denied not only physical freedom but also psychological autonomy.

Social Context and Female Oppression

Class and Racial Differences

While both The Color Purple and The Yellow Wallpaper explore female marginalization, they do so from very different social contexts.

• The narrator of The Yellow Wallpaper is a white, middle-class woman in late nineteenth-century America. She is oppressed primarily through gender roles, with little indication that she faces additional marginalization based on race or class.
• Celie, on the other hand, is a Black woman living in the racially segregated American South in the 1930s. Her oppression is multifaceted—she faces gender-based violence, racial discrimination, and economic hardship.

Walker highlights Celie’s marginalization through her use of dialect and informal language, which reflects her lack of formal education and limited social standing:

“But I don’t never git used to it. And now I feels sick every time I be the one to cook. My mama she fuss at me an look at me.”

This linguistic style immerses the reader in Celie’s world, forcing us to experience her oppression through her own perspective. Unlike Gilman’s narrator, Celie’s struggle is not just against male dominance but also against institutionalized racism and economic disenfranchisement.

Symbolism and Female Resistance

Symbolism in The Color Purple

Walker incorporates strong symbolism throughout the novel to represent Celie’s journey to self-empowerment.

• The color purple itself symbolizes beauty and divinity in a flawed world. As Celie begins to recognize her own self-worth, she starts to appreciate the small joys in life, mirroring her emotional and psychological liberation.
• Sewing and quilting symbolize female creativity and community. Celie’s career as a pants-maker is significant because trousers, traditionally associated with masculinity, represent her rejection of gender norms and her newfound independence.

Symbolism in The Yellow Wallpaper

Similarly, Gilman’s use of symbolism conveys the psychological entrapment of women under patriarchy.

• The yellow wallpaper itself represents the societal constraints placed on women. As the narrator’s mental state deteriorates, she begins to see a trapped woman behind the pattern, symbolizing her own repression.
• The narrator’s obsession with peeling the wallpaper reflects her desperate attempt to break free from oppression. However, unlike Celie, she does not achieve true liberation—her rebellion leads to a complete mental breakdown rather than empowerment.

Both authors use symbolism as a tool for critique, urging readers to reconsider the ways in which society confines and silences women.

Conclusion

Both The Color Purple and The Yellow Wallpaper offer powerful examinations of female marginalization, using narrative structure, social context, and symbolism to illustrate the struggles faced by their protagonists.

• The Color Purple ultimately presents a story of resilience and empowerment, as Celie overcomes her oppression and reclaims her identity.
• The Yellow Wallpaper, in contrast, depicts the tragic consequences of female repression, as its narrator succumbs to the constraints imposed upon her.

These texts demonstrate that marginalization takes many forms—whether through racial oppression, economic hardship, or psychological control. By giving voice to their female characters, Walker and Gilman challenge the patriarchal narratives that have historically silenced women’s experiences. Their works continue to resonate today, highlighting the ongoing struggles for gender equality and female autonomy.