The exploration of slavery and its lingering effects of degradation has predominantly been a male-centric pursuit in African American literature until the rise of counter-narratives by Black female authors. Studies focusing on works by African American women have primarily critiqued those written by men, addressing themes of racism, the challenges of empowering Black female characters, and the complexities of male-female relationships. Notably, Walker's writings aim to highlight the experiences of marginalized Black women in rural settings, who encounter frequent barriers that restrict their agency and economic prospects. The key theme of Walker's renowned novel, The Color Purple, centres on the mistreatment of women from a feminist viewpoint, which is the focal point of this discussion. The narrative illustrates that regardless of the forms of oppression a woman endures, she can resist by claiming her right to forge her own destiny. Celie is depicted as an unattractive, submissive, and uneducated woman who suffers both sexual and non-sexual oppression. Her decision to leave her husband in Memphis and establish her own business exemplifies her non-sexual self-determination, while her lesbian relationship with Shug represents her sexual self-determination, empowering her to confront and overcome various forms of oppression. This examination of Celie's struggle for self-determination in The Color Purple employs a feminist lens and radical feminist theory. Walker compellingly illustrates how enslaved African American women would rise and strive for a better future for themselves and their offspring.