The question is How do the women in the novel find and assert their identity, independence, and self-worth while living in patriarchal societies?  What role do women’s friendships and relationships with other women play in this process?  While Celie is an obvious choice to focus on for this topic, you might also consider characters such as Shug, Sofia, Squeak, Nettie, or even Olivia, Tashi, or Catherine.

The essay should discuss own unique interpretation of the text or some aspect of the text.  Goal in this essay is to explain your interpretation to an audience who is familiar with the text, but whose interpretations of the text may be different from your own.