Sexual Violence Against the Outsiders of Society in The Round House, Bitter in the Mouth, and The Color Purple

Abstract

This thesis will examine why the outsiders to society are more susceptible to violence, particularly sexual violence. America has been led predominantly by white males, white males who have oppressed individuals who do not fit into the white male majority for years. It is my argument that when women of color are born, they are automatically labeled as outsiders due to their race and gender. An outsider is simply one who does not fit into a particular group, the group in this case being white males. While some white women experience sexual violence, their socioeconomic status and race often allows them to receive justice, especially if their perpetrator is a man of color. I will also examine other factors that lead to sexual violence, particularly rape for these outsiders, such as social class and age. This thesis analyzes three primary texts: the 2010 novel Bitter in the Mouth by Monique Truong, the 2012 novel The Round House by Louise Erdrich, and the 1982 novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker. The women in these novels, Linda, Geraldine, and Celie, respectively are sexually assaulted. It is my argument that women of color’s race/ethnicity make them more susceptible to violence, both physical and sexual, from others. These texts showcase how women are labelled as outsiders because of their races and their gender, creating a dual outsider status in the white male dominated America; thus, making them more vulnerable to sexual assault and less likely to receive justice.