Women Speak, From Under the Shadow of Men

*excerpts from ‘The Color Purple’ by Alice Walker Sofia sit down at the big table like there’s no room for her. “Men corrupt everything”, say Shug. A woman can’t git a man if peoples talk. “He try to make you think he everywhere.” It bad luck for women to laugh at men. “Soon as you think he everywhere you think he God.” I got six children by this crazy woman, he mutter. “But he ain’t.” Sofia cry quick, like she do most things. “Conjure up flowers, wind, water, a big rock.” He get drunk, aggravate his sister, chase women. “Every time I conjure up a rock, I throw it.”