Artistic Expression and Female Resilience: A Feminist and Trauma Theory Analysis of The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Abstract

This study explores the intersection of trauma, artistic expression, and female resilience in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. Using Feminist Theory and Trauma Theory, this paper investigates how artistic expression serves as a medium for healing, self-empowerment, and resilience among marginalized women. The novel's epistolary form is analyzed regarding its role in Celie’s transformation from a voiceless victim to an empowered woman. Drawing from primary and secondary sources, this study contextualizes Walker’s narrative within broader socio-cultural frameworks that perpetuate gendered trauma while highlighting pathways for resistance and healing.