Double repression of black women in the Bluest Eye and Color Purple

ABSTRACTMaster of Arts DegreeDouble Repression of Black Women in the Bluest Eye and Color PurpleElif ARSLANDokuz Eylul UniversityGraduate Institute Of Social SciencesAmerican Culture and Literature DepartmentThe purpose of this thesis is to illustrate the prevailing racist and sexistpractices in the United States, and particularly to examine the adverse effects ofracism and sexism in black communities and specifically black women. Thethesis uses Alice Walker?s The Color Purple and Toni Morrison?s The BluestEye to examine to what extent racism and sexism have influenced black people?slives.Upon examining the two novels, it becomes evident that in the face ofracist and sexist politics in the United States, black woman is the one thatsuffers most due to her skin-color and gender that somehow put her into asubservient position. However, as Alice Walker in her novel points out, thedesignated position of black women should not be regarded as theirunchangeable fates. The solution lies in creating a web of cooperation andsupport within the community. To summarize, tolerance and unity beliefs inblack community can eventually enable the rise of the suppressed individuals.KEY WORDS: 1- Racism, 2- Sexism, 3-Black Community, 4- Gender, 5-Skin Color