Addressing Sexism In India - Through Sofia’s Lens In The Film The Color Purple
- IJLLR Journal
- Jan 16
- 2 min read
Prrisha Jain, Jindal Global Law School
First most, when we think of sexism, what do we mean? One might typically say gender based discrimination that pertains in our society but is it just that? Sexism is something that does not just exist in a particular society, but throughout all societies and all over the world and its effect has been felt over years and years. Particularly in India, sexism persists at its peak due to intersections of caste, class and patriarchy. The Color Purple is a musical adaption of the 1982 novel written by American author Alice Walker which is based on an African-American teenager Celie who is the main character of this film, and how she transitions from being and feeling oppressed all her life in and for different ways to finally speaking up for herself. Through the lens of Sophia’s journey, who is also one of the very influential and strong characters in this film, this essay will examine her journey of being empowered then exploited for standing up for herself and facing discrimination on not just the basis of her colour but also her gender and trying to protect her children from it to eventual liberation which can be explored in order to address and combat sexism and dismantle rigid gender roles in India.
So, to introduce the character of Sofia, one would have to use words such as self-reliant, self- efficient, outspoken, powerful, independent and bold. Sofia is the definition of someone you would look up to just like Celia did. When her husband, in the beginning of the film, tried to use violence to control her just like he’d been taught by his father and grandfather, she resisted instead of feeling intimidated and responded which just as much force which was a crucial component of her personality. Further, she rejected the patriarchal idea of women being obedient and constantly accepting toxic male authority and wanted to protest which she did. This self-assurance as well as rebellion most definitely encouraged the other female characters in this film.
For example, in Nivedita Menon’s reading of Seeing Like a Feminist, a feminist perspective was articulated just like here which highlighted how gender norms are infact socially produced and upheld to protect the so called ‘patriarchal power’. Just like Menon’s feminist viewpoint, Sofia sees herself as someone who is living and functioning outside of this conventional gender binary. She also expresses her agency in her marriage and absolutely does not follow and support the various submissive conventions that limit and oppress women in so many ways. However, both in society and inside her home which lashes out on such women who challenge these norms and resist oppressive behaviour by men, Sofia’s empowerment is met with resentment and this dynamic illustrates how societal and institutional backlash targets Indian women too, particularly those who question and want to fight back for the same conventions.
