s;s controlling ways.
             This desire to improve, coupled with the encouragement of Sophia, moves Celie to assert herself. Sophia persuades Celie to stand up for herself; "You ought to bash Mr.___ head open, she say. Think about heaven later" (Purple, 44). She emphasizes to Celie that she needs to start caring about the life she is presently living. Sophia tries to make her realize that she doesn't have to put up with the way Mr.___ treats her. And, finally, Celie is able to find it within herself to leave Mr.___; "You a lowdown dog is what is wrong, I say. It's time to leave you and enter creation. And your dead body is just the welcome mat I need" (Purple, 207). The opposition Celie exhibits is the first time she directly stands up for herself. Her defiance shows that she realizes that Mr.___'s treatment of her is inappropriate, and she is no longer willing to put up with such abuse. She finally
             finds the confidence and power to take the first step to break away from the restraints of her old life and start over on her own.
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