WORKFORCE'S ROLE IN ENHANCING WALKER'S SELECTED NOVELS SELF AND SOCIETAL DETERMINATION

Abstract

The paper explores the positive perspective of workforce in Alice Walker's (1944-) novels: The Color Purple and The Temple of My familiar through the liberal treatment of Black Feminism by a liberal filtration of black feminist Bell hooks(1952- ). Throughout this study, it can be observed, how hook and other feminists' concepts are demonstrated to examine Walker's heroine's self-actualization and how they can overcome unfavorable conditions prescribed to them and imposed by the patriarchal system. The study elaborates on the vital role of workforce beyond the naïve meaning of sustaining living advocated by patriarchal imperialism and mainstream feminism. Workforce can be a venue of recovering self-esteem as black women's favorable contribution increase in their society. Cottage industry as it is advocated in The Color Purple as recognition to achieve black women soldiery and elevate Celie to reclaim her identity, or a means of self-empowerment and to pass along traditional culture to new generations, as the case of Lissie and Zede the main heroines of The Temple of My Familiar. Addressing the code of the workforce as a necessary issue brings about the economic self-sufficiency which black feminism uses as the framework of the collective response. Yet, Class differences contribute critically on economic exploitation, Therefore, eliminating the gaps separating women effectively prompts the issue of collective power. Workforce can stand as the site of mass struggle connecting women together against the ethics of domination when Black women thoughtfully Embrace the radical notions of women's collective survival.