FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LOKOJA.
FACULTY OF ART.
ART19 ELS001
PROJECT WORK.
PROJECT SUPERVISOR: DR. CHINYELU AGWU.
RESEARCH TOPIC: INTERSECTIONALITY IN COLOR PURPLE BY ALICE
WALKER AND AMERICANA BY CHIMAMANDA NGOZIE ADICHIE.
CHAPTER ONE.
Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an academic framework that examines society and culture as
they relate to categorizations of race, law, and power. It originated in the United States in the
mid-1970s and it began with the legal scholars. It emerged partly from Legal Critical Studies
(CLS) and the civil rights movement of the 1960s in the US (Anoosh W. Khan, June. 2016).
CRT has a lot of features or themes but one of its foremost themes is the intersectionality of race,
gender, sexuality, and social justice. This is to say that Critical Race Theory (CRT) signifies that
either social, cultural, political, or gender-related issues are Not solely the outcome of individual
actions. Instead, they recognize that these aspects are interconnected and influenced by a complex
web of historical, structural, and systemic factors.
Alice walker and Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie are two authors whose names carry a lot of weight as
schoolers writers, feminist and activist. Considering their work of Colour Purple and Americanah
which is a good example of fictional writing; a combination of autobiography, biography, and
research inquiry. The use of fiction in exposing the intersectional approach of CRT is also a powerful
tool to bring about consciousness. They describe the concept of race through Racial Oppression,
sisterhood empowerment, Immigrant Experienc, race and relationship, Adichie and Alice research
inquiry into race prompts readers to question norms and biases.
Kimberle Crenshaw’s Article on “Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and
Violence Against Women of Color '' presented intersectionality as a way of framing the various
interactions of race and gender in the context of violence against women of colour. Sister Outsider:
Essays and Speeches" by Audre Lorde. Lorde's work delves into the interconnectedness of race,
gender, and sexuality in shaping one's identity and experiences, highlighting the need for solidarity
among marginalized groups.
CRT approach, particularly its emphasis on the intersectionality variables such as race, gender, and
class are helpful paradigms for any socio-cultural, anthropological, and political projects. Besides, the
role of law and legal institutions in defining and re-defining racial and gender discrimination further
aid as a method of research inquiry.
CRT also enables one to see that in certain geographical locations and points in time race can be
translated into ethnicity and sometimes both can be used synonymously and thus interchangeably.
Last but not the least, CRT scholars‟ strong passion to achieve equality and equity is apparent.
The term “intersectionality” was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, a legal scholar and critical race
theorist, in the late 1980s. It emerged from her work on the experiences of African American women
within the legal system (David Gillborn. 2015)
Intersectionality denotes the interconnectedness of multiple dimensions of identity, such as race,
gender, class, and sexuality, and how they intersect to create unique and overlapping systems of
privilege and oppression.
This concept highlights the limitations of analyzing social issues by considering only one aspect of
identity and underscores the need for a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the
complexities of discrimination and inequality. Intersectionality has since become a pivotal concept in
various fields, including sociology, gender studies, and critical theory, informing discussions on social
justice and identity politics.
In literature and literary theory, intersectionality refers to the recognition of characters or authors with
complex, multi-dimensional identities that encompass various aspects such as race, gender, class,
sexuality, disability, and more.
In the aspect of multidimensional identities, It involves examining how multiple forms of oppression
or privilege intersect and interact within the narratives and themes of literary works. In analysing the
intersecting system of oppression, it involves examining how multiple forms of oppression or
privilege intersect and interact within the narratives and themes of literary works. In complex
character development, Intersectionality can lead to more nuanced and realistic character development
in literature, as characters are portrayed with diverse identities that shape their experiences and
interactions. Allows for the deconstruction of stereotypes and the exploration of how characters
challenge or conform to societal expectations based on their intersecting identities.
Examining Power Dynamics, Intersectionality in literature helps in analyzing power dynamics and
social hierarchies, shedding light on how characters navigate and resist these systems. Informed
Literary Criticism, Scholars and critics use intersectionality as a framework for literary analysis,
providing deeper insights into the complexities of characters and narratives. Addressing
Underrepresented Voices, Literature that embraces intersectionality often amplifies the voices
and experiences of marginalized or underrepresented groups, promoting diversity and
inclusivity in storytelling.
Identity and Social Context Intersectionality emphasizes the importance of considering
characters’ identities within their social and historical contexts, recognizing that these factors
profoundly influence their experiences and motivations.
Definition of Intersectionality as a Theoretical Term
Intersectionality, as a theoretical term, refers to the analytical framework and concept that
acknowledges how various social identities (such as race, gender, class, sexuality, and
others) intersect and interact, influencing an individual’s experiences and social position.
It emphasises that individuals are not solely defined by one aspect of their identity but rather
shaped by the interplay of multiple dimensions, leading to unique and complex lived
experiences. Intersectionality serves as a tool for examining how systems of oppression and
privilege operate in a multidimensional manner, allowing for a more comprehensive
understanding of social inequalities and discrimination.
So, intersectionality as envisaged by Crenshaw and other critical race activists has two key
elements: first, an empirical basis; an intersectional approach is needed to better understand
the nature of social inequities and the processes that create and sustain them and this
connects to CRT’s earliest roots as a movement of engaged legal scholars, intersectionality
has a core activist component, in that an intersectional approach aims to generate coalitions
between different groups with the aim of resisting and changing the status quo.
All human beings are interdependent and thus the societal problems arising as a
consequence are also interdependent. Therefore, race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion,
health, education and the social justice system cannot be studied in isolation. All these are
intersectional reproducing intersectional consequences both good and bad.
The work of awakening the consciousness of readers on the impact of Intersectionality or
identity crisis is still on going as many writers has written on the effects of Intersectionality
and how it affects our present society today.
Intersectionality in Black Feminist Thought is a monograph on Toni Morrison’s Beloved.
Written by Hanae Lakhchine. This paper emphasises the limitations of additive or mutually
constitutive models of social divisions and thus privileges an intersectional approach that
renders the complicated experience of black women with in multiple categorizations of
oppression understandable. By grounding intersectionality in a set of interlocking systems of
social, culturaland political violence, this paper explores black women‟s politics of resistance
to “epistemic violence” and institutionalized racism and sexism in Toni Morison‟s Beloved-
an important work that captures one of the most significant junctures in African-American
history, slavery and the Reconstruction.
Lakhchine’s paper covers significant ground in understanding the intersectional oppression
of black women in the novel Beloved, critiques of intersectionality but the inquiry into the
nuances of individual experiences, the potential limitations of a defensive approach, and the
broader implications of such narratives has not been fully represented in this research.
Although scholers such as 1Bolla Madhavi and Dr.Konda Nageswar Rao in their paper
“Exploring the Search for Self-Identity in Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye” has depicts the
struggles of a young African American girl named Pecola Breedlove as she grapples with
issues of identity and self-worth in a society that devalues her race and physical
appearance. This paper explores the theme of self-identity in the novel, particularly how
Pecola's search for identity is shaped by societal pressures and cultural expectations.
But this paper has failed to represent the interplay of multiple identities
Intersectionality traces its intellectual roots to the activist work of Black women, Indigenous
women, and women from the global south during the second wave of feminism. It has been
developed further by scholars and activists who have addressed the “interlocking
oppressions” of racism, sexism, and heteronormativity.
The intellectual history of intersectionality is also documented in scholarly works that explore
its evolution and the various ways it has been conceptualized and applied across disciplines.
Statement of problem.
The discourse of Intersectionality and critical race theory aims to identify and understand
the complexity of human experiences and the impacts of social categorization. The novels
"The Color Purple" and "Americanah" provide powerful examples of characters facing
marginalisation due to their race, gender, ethnicity, or social class, highlighting the effects of
intersectionality and exploring how individuals cope with such challenges.
The Internal resource identification and overlapping of oppression, due to race, gender and
ethnicity which constantly creates crises in the society where people down grades or look
down on others due to their race and ethnicity. Identifying and understanding the complexity
of human experiences and the various impacts of social categorisation which are the major
concerns of Intersectionality research in literature.
In the two novels of Americana and Colour Purple. The authors provide two powerful
Characters or protagonists. Adichie uses her novel Americana to masterfully weave
together the experiences of a young Nigerian woman, Ifemelu, as she navigates life in the
United States. The story delves into the intersections of race, gender, and class. Ifemelu's
journey highlights the complexities of being a black woman in America, where she grapples
with racism, sexism, and economic challenges. Adichie also uses the character of Ifemelu to
shade light on systemic racism. The novel critiques the racial hierarchies, microaggressions,
and stereotypes faced by black immigrants.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker explores the lives of black women in rural Georgia during
the early 20th century. The protagonist, Celie, faces intersecting oppressions: racism,
sexism, and poverty. Celie's dark skin contributes to her sense of ugliness, reflecting the
intersection of race and self-perception. Additionally, Sofia's experiences highlight the
challenges faced by black women who defy societal norms⁵. Walker also uses his novel
colour purple to confront racism head-on. The novel portrays the double repression black
women endure: discrimination from the white community and a second repression from
black men who perpetuate white standards. Celie's transformation and resilience
demonstrate the triumph of good over evil, even within oppressive systems..
The two novels interrogate the question of Intersectionality and the effects it has on people.
Scope and relevance.
This study delves into the representation of intersectionality and the marginalisation
experienced by individuals based on their gender, race, ethnicity, or social class within the
context of two novels: Americana and The Color Purple. By engaging with critical race
theory, this analysis aims to explore the impact of racial marginalization on people in
America. Additionally, it seeks to contribute to a broader understanding of identity and
literature.
Aim.
The primary objective of this study is to analyse the effects of human marginalisation
resulting from race, gender, ethnicity, or social class. Specifically, it examines how these
themes are portrayed in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americana and Alice Walker’s The
Color Purple.
Objectives
Intersectionality Analysis: Investigate the challenges faced by individuals of different races in
America, considering the complex interplay of various identities.
Impact of Marginalisation: Explore how the marginalisation of people affects their well-being,
agency, and opportunities.
Effects of Intersectionality: Examine the layered effects when multiple forms of
marginalisation intersect.
Forms of Abuse: Scrutinise the specific forms of abuse endured by marginalised individuals
within the American context.
Intersectionality and Race: Establish connections between intersectionality theory and racial
dynamics.
Methodology
This study shall derive it evidence from:
Textual Details: Close analysis of relevant passages from Americana and The Color Purple.
Reference Works: Consultation of scholarly articles, critical essays, and related literature.
Social and Historical Context: Consideration of the broader socio-cultural milieu in which the
novels are situated.
Current Critical Research: Incorporation of contemporary perspectives on intersectionality
and marginalisation.
