《紫色》中西麗的成長和蛻變

ChapterOneIntroductionGrowthisauniversalandinevitablestageoflife,soanynarrativeaboutgrowthhasawideappeal.ThenovelTheColorPurplesuccessfullydescribeshowa14-year-oldblackheroine,Xili,grewupfromanaiveandobedientlittlegirlwhowasoppressedandlostherpersonalidentitytoamature,independent,freeandcompleteblackwoman.TheColorPurplebroadensthethemeandvisionofblackliterature.Itcanbesaidthatitisamasterpiecedescribingthegrowthofblackwomen.Basedonthetheoryofbildungsroman,thispaperinterpretsthegrowingthemeofthenovelTheColorPurplebyshowingthepsychologicalprocessoftheheroineXili.AliceWalkerisafamousblackwomanwriterinAmerica.HetookanactivepartinthecivilrightsmovementintheUnitedStatesinthe1960s,andwrotetwopoemsandalargenumberofprosenovelsbasedonthisbackgroundandtheblackcultureinthesouthernUnitedStates.AssoonashernovelTheColorPurplewaspublished,itcausedasensationintheUnitedStatesandwonthreemostimportantAmericanliteraryawards,namelyPulitzerPrize,NationalBookAwardandNationalBookCriticsAssociationAward.AroundthegrowingprocessofblackwomanXili,TheColorPurplegivesboldnewproposalsonhowwomencantrulybeindependentandbuildaharmonioussocietyfulloflove,andreiteratesthethemeof"feminism"sheputforward.TheColorPurpleisabildungsromanwrittenfromthefeministperspective.ThewordfeminismfirstappearedinWalker'sprosecollectionLookingforMother'sGarden:FeministLiteraryTheory.Walkerhimselfdefines"womanist"as"coloredfeminist"and"cosmologist",whoiscommittedtothesurvivalandintegrityofallmankind,includingmenandwomen."Feministsloveotherwomen,regardlessoftheirasexualdesires.Lovemusic,lovedance,lovethemoon,lovethespirit,loveitself,lovethestruggle,lovethepeopleandloveyourself."Feministsaredifferentfromfeminists.Walkerthinksfeminismisananti-patriarchaltheorycenteredonwhitewomen,whichignoresthefemaleexperienceofblackandthirdworldwomenandignorestheirliteratureandvoices.AndfeminismwasinitiatedbyWalkerafterthecivilrightsmovementandthewomen'sliberationmovement.XiliisafeministmodelprovidedbyWalkertotheoppressedwomen,andhergrowthhistoryprovidesstrengthanddirectionforwomenwhostruggle.ThefilmTheColorPurpleisbasedonAliceWalker,afamousAmericanfeministwriter.Adaptedfromanovelofthesamename.Sinceitspublicationin1982,TheColorPurplehasmadegreatachievements,andin1983itwonthreeawardsinAmericanliterature,includingthePulitzerPrizeforLiterature.SpielbergputthefilmTheColorPurpleonthescreenin1985,whichwasalsoagreatsuccessandwon11Oscarnominations,includingbestactress.Althoughtherearegreatdifferencesbetweenmoviesandnovelsingenreandform,thefilmTheColorPurpleisperfectinitscollisionwithnovels.InthenovelTheColorPurple,WalkertellsthestoryoftheblackgirlXili'sgrowingupfromtheperspectiveofblackwomen,anddescribesindetailtheprocessfromthechaoticunconsciousstatetoawakening,resisting,finallygainingindependenceandrealizingself-worth.Spielberg,ontheotherhand,showsthethemeofTheColorPurpletoagreatextentinthefilm,anddeepensandhighlightsthethemethroughtheexpressiveelementsandtechniquesofthefilm,atthesametime,italsoexpandstheinternationalinfluenceofthenovel.ThispaperwilltaketherecurringimageinthefilmTheColorPurple-"PurpleFlowerSea"asthemainline,andanalyzethepersonalgrowthoftheprotagonistXiliandtheawakeningprocessof"feminism"consciousness.

ChapterTwoABriefIntroductiontoTheColorPurple.2.1BackgroundTheColorPurple,whichwasreleasedintheUnitedStatesin1985,isafeministfilmdirectedbySpielbergandstarringWhoopie,GoldenbergandOprah.ItisthefirstblackfilminAmericanfilmhistory,whichisabitlikeamodernAmericanfilm."TheColorPurple"isnotveryfamous,evenalittleunpopular,butitshowstheartisticpursuitofSpielberg'sdirector,withabitofmomentuminplain.ThestoryissetinthesouthernUnitedStatesin1909.Thefilmbeginswithapurpleseaofflowers.Therearetwoshadowygirlsrunninglightlyintheseaofflowers.Theyarepattingandplaying,andeverythingissocheerfulandcomfortable.Then,whenaboycallsthename"Xili,Nandi",everythingcomestoanabruptend.Ablackgirlwhoispregnantfornearlyeightmonthscomesoutoftheseaofflowers.XiliandNandiareapairofblacksisterswithdeepfeelings.Amongthem,Xiliistheprotagonist,uglyandpoor.Whenshewasunderage,shewasrapedbyherstepfatherandgavebirthtotwochildren.Aftergivingbirth,herstepfathersentthechildrenawaydirectly.ThisexperienceandthecommonlowstatusofwomenatthattimeledtoXili'sinferiority,andshebecameaslaveofanotherfamilyafterbeingmarriedattheorderofherstepfather.Xilihasbeenlongingtofindherownfleshandbloodagain,butthereisnothingshecando.Afterbeingsoldbyherfathertoawidower,Xilibeganherpurgatory-likelife,withnofreedomofaction,nofreedomofspeech,nofreedomofchoice,andevenherownsisterNandiwasdrivenawaybyherhusbandandcouldnotseeeachotheragain.Maybeshewasbulliedfortoolongsinceshewasachild,andXilihasbecomearesignedperson.Shedidn'tdaretomakeanydemandsonlife,daretogrin,orevendaretoopenherownmailbox.Justbecauseofherhusband'swords,shegaveuptherighttopursuehappiness.Shagisaveryattractivewomanandakindwoman.ShebecamealubricantbetweenXiliandherhusbandAlbert.Therelationshipbetweenthethreepeopleisverydelicate,reachingawonderfulbalance.Later,withthesupportofseveralwomen,XilimadeuphermindtoleaveherhusbandAlberttopursueherfreedom.Ontheleavingtrain,sheseemedtoseeheryoungersisterNandiagain.Attheendofthefilm,Xilireturnedtoherhusband'shome,hersisterNandialsoreturnedtotheUnitedStatesfromAfrica,andXili'ssoldchildrenalsoreturnedtoherside.Husbandandwifereunited,sistersreunited,motherandsonreunited,andthefamilywashappy.Thefilmshowstheruralsceneofgreenfieldsandpurpleflowersinthebeginningandend.Atthebeginning,XiliandNandiclaptheirhandsandsing,andattheend,XiliandShagwalkhandinhand,fullofpureandgentlefemalelove.2.2ContentoftheCompositionAtthebeginningofthefilm,twolittleblacksisters,XiliandNandi,playselflesslyinthepurpleseaofflowers,andeverythingissobeautiful.However,thecruelrealityisthatinablinkofaneye,theheroineXiliwasrapedmanytimesbyherfatherandgavebirthtotwochildren,amanandawoman.Inordertohidehereyesandears,Xili'sfathersoldthechildrentoothers.Xilihasbeenlongingtofindherownfleshandbloodagain,butthereisnothingshecando.Afterbeingsoldbyherfathertoawidower,Xilibeganherpurgatory-likelife,withnofreedomofaction,nofreedomofspeech,nofreedomofchoice,andevenherownsisterNettiewasdrivenawaybyherhusbandandcouldnotseeeachotheragain.Maybeshewasbulliedfortoolongsinceshewasachild,andXilihasbecomearesignedperson.Shedidn'tdaretomakeanydemandsonlife,daretogrin,orevendaretoopenherownmailbox.Justbecauseofherhusband'swords,shegaveuptherighttopursuehappiness.Untiltheappearanceofthe"mistress"Shag,Xili'slifechanged.Shagisaveryattractivewomanandakindwomanatthesametime.ShebecamealubricantbetweenXiliandherhusbandAlbert.Therelationshipbetweenthethreepeopleisverydelicate,reachingawonderfulbalance.Later,XilileftAlberttopursueherfreedom.Ontheleavingtrain,sheseemedtoseeNettieasachildagain.Attheendofthefilm,Xilireturnedtoherhusband'shome,hersisterNettiealsoreturnedtotheUnitedStatesfromAfrica,andXili'ssoldchildrenalsoreturnedtoherside.Husbandandwifereunited,sistersreunited,motherandsonreunited,andthefamilywashappy.

ChapterThreeTheGrowthandTransformationofXili3.1TheChangeofUnderstandingofGod"Inadditiontogod,you'dbetterneversaytoanyone,otherwise,yourmotherwillbeangry."After14-year-oldXiliwasrapedbyherstepfather,shebegantowritetoGodunderthethreatofherstepfather."WritetoGod"isameaningfuldetailinthework.Atfirst,XiliimaginedGodasamanwithwhiteskin,"big,oldandtall,withgrayhairandpaleface.Heiswearingawhiterobeandbarefoot.InXili'sview,Godissacredandinviolable,andeveryonemustobeyGod'swill,otherwisehe/shewillbeseverelypunished.Later,fromtheconversationwithShag,shelearnedthatGodisnotamanorawoman,buteverythingintheworld.Fromhersister'sletter,shelearnedthat"Adamisnoteventhefirstwhiteman."Hewasjustthefirstpersonwhowasn'tkilled.ThisviewsubvertsthetraditionalreligiousviewthatwhiteAdamisthefirstmancreatedbyGod.Xilialsolearnedthatwhitepeoplearejustnakedblacks.AllthischangedXili'sinitialimpressionofGod.Forher,Godisnolongeruntouchableandmysteriousasbefore,buthasbecomesomethingthatcanbetouchedandfamiliararoundher.3.1.1TheChangeofUnderstandingofGod'sImageAtthebeginning,"You'dbetternottellanyoneexceptGod.WhenXiliwasrapedbyherstepfather,whoaskedhertokeepasecret,allshesufferedwasonlyallowedtotellGod.Inotherwords,Xililosttherighttospeakinpublic.Atfirst,XiliimaginedGodasamanwithwhiteskin,"big,oldandtall,withgrayhairandpaleface.Heiswearingawhiterobeandbarefoot.InXili'sview,Godissacredandinviolable,andeveryonemustobeyGod'swill,otherwisehe/shewillbeseverelypunished.Later,fromtheconversationwithShag,shelearnedthatGodisnotamanorawoman,buteverythingintheworld.Fromhersister'sletter,shelearnedthat"Adamisnoteventhefirstwhiteman."Heisonlythefirstpersonwhohasn'tbeenkilled.ThisviewsubvertsthetraditionalreligiousviewthatwhiteAdamisthefirstmancreatedbyGod.Xilialsolearnedthatwhitepeoplearejustnakedblacks.AllthischangedXili'sinitialimpressionofGod.Forher,Godisnolongeruntouchableandmysteriousasbefore,buthasbecomesomethingthatcanbetouchedandfamiliararoundher.3.1.2TheChangeinAttitudeTowardsGodFromthebeginning,XilibelievedintheexistenceofGodandwasinaweofhim.Afterbeingrapedbyherstepfather,sheenduredallthissilently,neitheractivelydefendingherrightsnorseekinghelpfromothers.Inhermind,itisGod'swilltokeepitinherheart,otherwiseshewillbepunishedforviolatingGod'swill.TheonlythingshedoesistowritetoGod.WhenSophiawascaughtbythewhiteofficer,XilistillhopedforGod:"GodblewaflameandSophiawassuddenlyfree."Then,undertheinfluenceofherhusband'smistressShag,shehadaclearerandclearerunderstandingofGod:"Godisinyourheartandeveryoneelse's."YoucameintothisworldwithGod.AccordingtoShag,Godisnotsomysteriousandunfathomable."Godisnothimorher,butit.""Godiseverything:trees,thenair,thenbirds.Thenothers."Later,shestoppedwritingtoGod,knowingthatGodcouldonlybringhermisfortune.Shebegantowritetohersister,Nandi,totalkaboutwhathappenedintheirdailylife.Finally,shegraduallyrealizedthesacrednessandbeautyofallthingsinnature,andbegantowriteletterstostars,trees,thesky,peopleandeverythingintheworld.3.2TheChangeofUnderstandingoftheRelationshipBetweenBlacksandWhitesInadditiontothechangeinunderstandingtheimageofGodandthestatusofmenandwomen,thispaperdiscussesthechangeofXilifromtherelationshipbetweenblacksandwhites.TherelationshipbetweenblacksandwhiteshasalwaysbeenahottopicinAmericanliterature.Onthediscussionofthistopic,somescholarsputforwardanewterm-racism.Generallyspeaking,"racism"isusuallyassociatedwithnegativemeanings,suchasprejudice,discrimination,prejudiceandoppressionbasedonrace.3.2.1TheChangeofUnderstandingofTheSocialStatusofBlacksandWhitesTraditionally,whitesaresuperiortoblacks,andblacksmustservewhites.Sophiawasimprisonedbywhitepeopleandwastorturedbecausesherefusedtobethemaidofthewifeofawhiteofficer."Theybrokeherskullandbrokeherribs.Theyrippedoffonesideofhernose.Theyblindedoneofhereyes."Herfamilyisveryanxiousaboutit.TheygottogetherandtriedtheirbesttohelpSophia.Throughtheirunremittingefforts,shewasfinallyrescuedfromherpain.InspiredbyShag,XilirealizedthatGodwasnotawhiteman,andthatthefirstmanGodcreatedwasablackman,notawhiteAdam.ThisnewunderstandinghelpsXilitohaveamoreaccurateunderstandingoftherelationshipbetweenblacksandwhites.ThereligiousbeliefsofAfricansarecompletelydifferentfromthoseoftraditionalEuropeans.Theyareproudoftheirraceandbravelyresisttheoppressionofwhitepeople.Africansbelievethat"theyarethecenteroftheuniverseandeverythingtheydoisforthem."AccordingtoEuropeans,blackisanevil,horribleandominouscolor.AliceWalkergaveupthetraditionalunderstandingofblackanddescribeditasabeautifulandcharmingcolor.FromNandi'sletter,shehasconfidenceinherskincolor:"Becauseitistoodark,shewillfeeldazzled,andthereseemstobeashiningfeeling.Really,itisthelightfromthemoon.Itissobright,buttheirskinwillshineinthesun."3.2.2ChangeinAttitude

ofWhite

PeopleThechangeofXili'sunderstandingoftherelationshipbetweenblacksandwhitescanalsobeseenfromherattitudetowardswhites.WhenSophiawasimprisonedandtorturedbywhitepeople,Xilineverwantedtoresisttheiratrocities,butaskedGodforhelp:"GodblewoutaflameandSophiawassuddenlyfree."Intheeyesofwhitepeople,blackpeoplearedoomedtobelowerthanthem.Onceblacksresistthewillofwhites,theywillbeseverelypunished.FromShag,shelearnedthatblacksandwhitesareequalbeforeGod.ContrarytothestatementintheBiblethatAdamwasthefirstmancreatedbyGod,XiliknewthatGodcreatedtheblackmanfirst,andthewhitemanwasonlyanakedblackman.Atfirst,therightsofblackswereignored,andtheywerenottreatedequallybywhites.Thisinequalityismanifestedinreligion,socialstatusandsoon.Later,withtheencouragementandencouragementofherfamily,Xilibegantofightagainsttheoppressionofwhitepeoplewiththem.TheyperseveredandfinallysavedSophiafromthepain.Finally,Xilirealizedthateveryone,whetherwhiteorblack,wasequalbeforeGod.Fromareligiouspointofview,Xilinolongerregardswhitepeopleasgods,butbeginstoregardeverythingsuchasstars,skyandpeopleasgods.FromNandi'sletter,Xilihasaclearunderstandingofherrace:"Whitepeopleareblackchildren."InAfrica,blacksandwhiteshavecompletelydifferentreligiousbeliefs.AfricansregardtheroofleafasGodandliveinahouseblessedbyGod.Althoughwhitestrytoimposetheirreligiousbeliefsonthem,Africansstillinsistonfollowingtheirowngods.IntheUnitedStates,althoughslaveryhasbeenabolishedforalongtime,blackshavenotbeentreatedequally.Blacksarestilldiscriminatedagainstbywhites,andmanyoftheirrightsaredifficulttorealize.Blackwomenwriters,representedbyAliceWalker,begantocallfortheequalityofblackstatusandseekabettersolutiontotheracialproblemsbetweenblacksandwhites.3.3TheSelf-improvementofxili.3.3.1TheEstablishmentofXili'sSelf-identityThereissuchadetailintheworkthatdeservesattention:agenerallettershouldhavenotonlytherecipient,butalsothesender.IntheletterwrittenbyXili,thesender'ssignaturedidn'tappearuntilthe60thletter.Notonlythat,butalsoherworkaddress:"YoursisterXili.DazhongpantiesFeico.,ltdShagAvicoversthedriveway.Memphis,Tennessee''Afterthat,exceptfortwounsignedletters,alltheothersweresignedwithXili'sname.SowhatisthesignificanceofAlicewalker'sdesignofsuchadetailinhisworks?Next,theauthorwillstartwiththisdetailandanalyzeit.AfterXiligotridoftheshacklesinthoughtandre-establishedhumanconsciousness,thenextstepforXiliistoestablishherself-identitywithconcreteactions.Thespecificwaysare:first,sisterhood,whichreliesontheunityandmutualassistanceofblackwomentoregaintheirfaithashumanbeings.Thesecondisto"runaway",getridofMr.X'sruleandgetroomforrebirth.Finally,itis"work",whichgivesfullplaytothecreativityofblackwomenandobtainsindependenteconomicstatus.Throughtheabovethreesteps,Xilicompletestheestablishmentofherself-identity,sothischangeismanifestedintheappearanceofXili'ssignatureintheletterformat.Below,wewillstartfromthesethreestepstoanalyzeindetailhowXilicompletesherself.Theestablishmentofidentity.3.3.2DignityofHumanPersonalityFromlackinghumanconsciousnesstoregaininghumandignitythroughself-liberationandself-strength,thesymbolicsignificanceofthisprocesscanbeseenfromXili'ssewingbehavior.Atfirst,Xilialwaysworeskirts,justlikeShagesaidabouther:"Letmemakeyoualooseunderpants.Youtakecareofallthehouseworkhere.Wearaskirtandplowthegrounddry.Work,youlooklikeaghost,it'sdisgusting!”AndXilidoesn'tthinkwomencanwearpantiesatall.ForShag'sproposal,Xiliseemsdomineering.Obviously,shedoesn'tknowwhyShagmadeherwearpanties.It'slikemakingfunofher.Althoughitisextremelyinconvenienttodohouseworkandfarmworkinalongskirt,Xilistillfirmlybelievesthatwomenshouldwearskirtsanyway,whichisassimpleaspeopleshouldwearclothes.Inthepast,Xilineverthoughtthatshecouldwearpantieslikeaman,andMr.Xwouldneverallowhertoparadearoundinmen'spantieslikeherself.However,now,throughherownefforts,Xilihasbecomeself-reliantstepbystep,andestablishedDazhongPantsCo.,Ltd.,notonlyputtingonpantiesherself,butalsomakingpantiesforothers.Xili'sunderwear-makingbehaviorimpliesthatshehassteppedoutofignorance,changedherpositionof"inhumanity"ideologically,andestablishedheridentityandstatuswithpowerfulpracticalactions.Mr.XwasimpressedbythetransformationofXili,andatthesametime,herself-reliancealsomadeMr.Xlookathimself.HenolongeropposedXiliwearingpantiesasbefore,andundertheinfluenceofXili,heevenstartedsewinghimself.Intheworks,Xili'ssewingbehaviorplaysavitalrole.Fromskirttounderpants,thisisnotasimplechange,butcontainsadeepsymbolicmeaning:wearingaskirt,femalegenitalsareinastateoflackofprotection,whichalsoimpliestheweakpositionofwomen;Whilethatfemalegenitalinunderpantsareprotect,implyingthatwomenhavedignitylikemen.Thisistheprocessfromthelackofconsciousnesstothere-establishmentofself-identityandstatus.Xili'ssewingbehaviorhasbroughtheralifegrowthandtransformation.ChapterFourReasonsforXili'sMetamorphosisAliceWalker'snovelTheColorPurplemainlyemphasizesthematurityofhumanbeings.Theprocess,andthemutualsolidarityandhelpbetweenwomeninthisprocess.Thisideaisalsowellreflectedinthefilm.Xiliwentfromanumbchaoticstatetoaformalawakening,fromresistingauthoritytoindependence.Andfromspiritualindependencetoeconomicindependenceandfinallytopersonalityindependence,whichAliceWalkerprovidedawayforblackwomentofightforindependence.Inheropinion,ifblackwomenwanttobetrulyindependent,theymustbeeconomicallyindependent.Thefilmalsoappropriatelyshowsthisinternalrelationship.4.1The

Sisterhood

ofXili.Blackwomenalwaysgethelpandstrengthfromblackwomen,whichisconcernedbymanyblackfeministsandoftenpresentedinliteraryworks.InTheColorPurple,Xilikeepsfriendshipwithmanyblackwomen,anditispreciselybecauseoftheinfluenceandhelpoftheseblacksistersthatXilicangetoutofhermiserystepbystepandgrowupsmoothly.Amongthesesisters,ShagehasundoubtedlyhadthegreatestinfluenceonXili.Withherenlightenmentandhelp,Xiliregainedherself-esteemandself-confidenceasawoman.OntheroadofXiliregainingherindependence,itshouldbesaidthatShagplayedanimportantroleinXili'slove.Ofcourse,thesisterhoodmentionedhereisnotlimitedtotheloverelationshipbetweenlesbians,butakindofmutualhelprelationshipformedbywomengroupsinabroadersenseunderthestrongpressureofmalesociety.Blackwomen'shelplessnessinlifemakesitparticularlyeasyforthemtoseekcomfortandhappinessfromotherblackwomeninsteadofmen.Forexample,amongXili'sblacksisters,besidesShage,Nieti,Sophia,Maryagnesandothers,theirhelptoXilicertainlyplayedavitalrole.However,inspiteofthis,Walkerstilladmits:"Ifblackwomenaredivorcedfrommeninsexualrelations,theycannotonlyavoidmaleabuse,butalsoestablishclosesisterhoodwithotherwomen,thusenhancingtheirownstrength."Therefore,Alicewalkerdescribedthesame-sexlovebetweenXiliandShageinhisworks.Throughphysicalenlightenment,Xilirediscoveredthedignityandself-confidenceofwomen;TheloveforShagmadeXilifindthecourageandhopetolive.AndwiththehelpofShag,XilifinallyescapedfromMr.X'scontrol.Afterfleeing,Xiligainedphysicalandmentalindependenceandcompletedherself-redemption.Atthistime,sheandShagestrolledinthepurpleseaofflowersanddiscussedthetruemeaningoflife-themeaningoflove.WiththegradualawakeningofXili'sfemaleconsciousness,shegraduallybecameawomanwithindependentspiritandeconomicfoundation.Naiti,SophiaandShaggavealotofhelpandguidanceinthisprocess,whichmadeXiligainunlimitedhopeandself-confidence.AsXili'ssister,NaidileftMr.XXX'shomeafterXilileft,andalsowithindependentconsciousnessandrebelliousspirit.AfterXiligotmarried,Neytiecouldn'tstanditanymore.Byhisstepfather,hedefectedtohissisterandbegantoimprovehispersonalabilitybyself-study,andoftendrummed.EncouragemysisterXilitoresist.Sophia,asHarper'swife,istallandstrong.Andstrong,forallkindsofmalebullyingwillnotaccept.SheusedtobeonthewestLisaidthatshewasalwaysfightingwithotherpeople,fightingwithherfatherwhenshewasyoung.Fightwithyourbrotherwhenyouareolder,andfightwithothermenwhenyouareolder;Agirlisinaman.Peopleareunreliable,andtheyneedself-awarenessandself-abilitytomaintainit.Surviving.Xiliwasdeeplytouchedandbegantohaveasenseofself.SelfinXiliIntheprocessofconsciousnessawakening,theguidingroleofthethreeofthemisindispensable.ItwasXili'shusband'slover,andShagsavedXili.SheawakenedXili'sself.Irealized.WiththetitleofXili,shewrote"SongofMissXili"andsangitinpublicinthebar,whichmadeXilifeelthewarmthofloveanddignityasahumanbeingforthefirsttime.Xiliwasrapedbyherstepfatherattheageoffourteen,beforesheknewanythingaboutSally.AftermarryingMr.So-and-so,itbecomesMr.So-and-so'scatharsistool.InXili'swords,hejust"climbedontopofmeanddiditagainandagain."EvenwhenIhaveabandageonmyhead."Undertheabnormalrelationshipbetweenthetwosexes,Xili'sbodybecamenumb"wood".ShagwassurprisedtofindthatXili,whohadbeenmarriedformanyyearsandhadtwochildren,didn'tunderstandthecharacteristicsandfunctionsofwomen'sbodystructureandknewnothingaboutsex.WithShag'sencouragement,Xilistoodinfrontofthemirrorforthefirsttime,faceduptoherbodystructureandrecognizedherfemalecharacteristics.Thiswasthefirsttimethatshefeltthatshewassouglythatshewasevenmoving.InthephysicalcontactwithShag,Xilifeltthejoyofbeingawomanforthefirsttime.Gradually,Xili,whowasinsensitivetoloveandsex,feltthesweetnessofloveandthejoyofsex.Sheisnolongera"wood"withoutthinkingandfeelings,butexudesthepassionofnewlife.4.2EconomicIndependenceAfterbravelyleavingthefamily,Mr.Xandthesociety,Xili'sbodyandmindwereliberated.WhenshewenttoMemphis,shestartedtomakealivingbyherself,openedatailor'sshopandmadepants.AsXili'scraftwaswelcomedbyeveryone,herbusinessgrewbiggerandbigger,andshestartedafamilyfactory.Establishedthe"VolkswagenPantsIndustryCo.,Ltd."whichproducesandsellspants.WithXili'seconomicindependence,herhorizonsgraduallywidened,andwithhergrowingknowledgeandstrongerpersonality,Xilifinallyperfectedherselfinlife.Xilihas"changedfromatraditionalwomanwithnopersonality,vaguefemaleconsciousness,numbmindandbeingenslavedbymentoanindependentwomanwiththoughts,knowledge,status,personalityandindividuality".Xili'stransitionfromnumbnessandchaostoformalawakening,fromresistingauthoritytoindependence,andfromspiritualindependencetoeconomicindependenceandfinallytopersonalityindependenceisawayprovidedbyAliceWalkerforblackwomentostriveforindependence.Inheropinion,ifblackwomenreallywanttogainindependence,theymustgaineconomicindependence.Thefilmalsoappropriatelyshowsthisinternalrelationship.Whilelivingwithherhusband,Xililackedfinancialindependence.Inordertosurvive,shelivesentirelyonherhusband.Xiliactedcompletelyaccordingtoherhusband'swishesandenduredhisbullyingandinjury,butneverthoughtofresistinghisoppressionandgainingeconomicindependence.InspiredbyShag,XilileftherhusbandandwenttoNorthMemphiswithher.WhenMr.WangtriedtostopherfromgoingtoMemphis,shebravelyresistedhim.InMemphis,shewasnotShag'smaidasAlbertsaid,andshedidn'tdependonanyone.SheisgoodatembroideryandhasmademanybeautifulandpracticaltrousersforShag.HerexquisitecraftsmanshipwonShage'sadmirationandencouragedhertosticktothiscreation.Later,Xiliopenedherownshop,madepantsforothers,andachievedeconomicindependence.WhenXilireturnedt