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ression of women in the traditional patriarchal society is first manifestedas sexual exploitation and suppression.On the one hand,women’s bodies are alwaysregarded as tools for the needs of men’s sexual desire.As women,they do not havethe autonomy of their own bodies.And on the other hand,women should be ashamedof their own sexual desire.Under the restrictions of male values,women areconsidered to be innocent and not have strong sexual desires as men do.A goodwoman is separate from sex but has the capacity of reproduction,like the highlyrespected Virgin Mary who can have a baby but without having sex.Therefore,if awoman wants to save herself and launch a revolt against the patriarchal society thatoppresses her,she must take the first step by solving the problem of men’s sexualoppression on her.

In the novel,Celie’s liberation of sexuality makes contribution to let her insideamazing power come out and make her confront her body without any guilt or shame.“Starting from understanding the body,Celie,the protagonist of the novel,changesfrom passive to active,from a slave-like housewife to an independent entrepreneur,thus completing her salvation”.(Ma Chunli,2012:116)For a long time,Celie’s bodyhas always been a tool for men.The long-lasting sexual oppression on her makes herhate men both psychologically and physically.When she goes to church,she neverlooks at a man.And in her eyes,men are frogs.Therefore,it is not practical for Celie to develop a free and equal sexual relationship with a man.Taking into account thisspecial background,Walker ingeniously arranges her a homosexual relationship withShug,which is an unconventional beginning to fight for her fate.Before they meet,Shug exists as an ideal self for Celie,from whom,Celie sees a different way of lovingas a woman.After having the intimate relationship with Shug,Celie has a goodcommand of her life.The homosexual love between them not only breaks the sexualtaboos imposed on women by the patriarchal society,but more importantly,itbecomes a powerful weapon for Celie to resist the patriarchal oppression and is aform of subversion of the patriarchal culture.In other words,in the relationship withShug,Celie learns to take the initiative of her body and realize her subjectivity.

2.2 Seeking Equality Against the Control of Men

According to Rich,homosexuality among women will indeed“help women gaina source of knowledge and power”and allow them to“share a rich inner life and uniteagainst male tyrants”.(1989:39)And womanists advocate spiritual comfort amongwomen,whose mutual love and concern act as a bridge to the womanist concept ofacting grown up and being grown up.Women concern and support each other,sharingtheir pain and sorrow mutually,which eventually lead to their liberation from theyoke of male dominance.Under the influence of female bonding,especially with thehelp of Sofia,Shug and Nettie,Celie gets rid of the control of her stepfather,the falseGod and her husband.She not only gets her voice be heard,but also forms a firmbelief on herself.Changing from an inferior mule to an independent woman,Celiewalks out from the patriarchal family and tries to live equally as men.

The first man whom Celie needs to get rid of is Pa.As stated earlier,Celie feelsso guilty after being raped that she makes confession in the letter:“I am I have alwaysbeen a good girl.”(Walker,2003:1)The reason why she uses“I have been”instead of“I am”is that she thinks tha本论文由英语论文网提供整理，提供论文代写，英语论文代写，代写论文，代写英语论文，代写留学生论文，代写英文论文，留学生论文代写相关核心关键词搜索。