In her novel Push, Sapphire challenges the conventions of patriarchal literature through the use of language, characterization, and archetype, as well as deviations in the traditional structure of the patriarchal novel. One of the main elements in Sapphire's revision of the paradigm of the conventional novel is the positioning of female figures in the foreground from the background, presenting images of assertive, sharp-tongued women as opposed to docile and discreet ones and to have male characters who they play more submissive roles. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The most obvious example of an emphasized female character is that of Precious Jones, the protagonist of the story. The story, which takes us through Precious's painful life, is told primarily through her internal monologue, which is dark and encrypted with her vernacular and illiteracy. Part of the story is told through her writing, whose proficiency gradually increases as Precious learns more and more at the alternative school she is enrolled in. Precious is a large, imposing figure, weighing well over two hundred pounds. Although she expresses being quiet and alienated from her peers and abusive parents, she can also be very aggressive and defensive if provoked. Such an example can be seen in the sentence: “'I ain't going nowhere, motherfucker, until the doorbell rings. I came here to learn evil, and you will teach me.'” (5, Sapphire). Precious is not particularly desirable to men, and she is comfortable with vulgarity as part of her daily speech, as she tells us “Boy, you say I'm laughing ugly. He says, “Claireece is so ugly she laughs ugly.” Her friends say, 'No, that fat bitch is crying awful.'” (12, Sapphire). This is certainly not the type of female character one would expect to empathize with in a more male-oriented novel. The fact that she is described as redeemable through education makes her characterization even more radically different from convention: “I took the TABE test again, this time it's 7.8. Mrs. Rain says a leap in quality!” (139, Sapphire). Not only is Precious the opposite of a docile, attractive and respectable female figure, but she is saved by culture and not by the love of a prince like Cinderella's. Precious' teacher, Blue Rain, is another example of an important and assertive woman. However, Rain's importance is represented by her authority as a teacher and as a positive, encouraging force in Precious's intellectual and emotional flourishing. Rain tells Precious “I think your first responsibility should be yourself. You shouldn't drop out of school." (70, Sapphire). The same can be said of Precious' classmates in the alternative school. Characters like Rita, the ex-prostitute, Jermaine, the lesbian, and Rhonda, the disowned daughter, each play an important role not only in helping Precious strive for greater goals, but as examples of marginalized, brutalized, and ostracized women who are able to use a place of education to overcome various social and personal adversities. Examples can be found in the girls' personal stories, like Jermaine's, when he tells us “I saved myself. I'm still saving myself. (Harlem Butch, Sapphire). The book's archenemy, Precious' mother, also plays a strong and influential role. In addition to the horrific forms of abuse that “Mom” allows her daughter to endure, it also serves as the most vivid and recurring reminder of all of Precious’ trauma and pain: “Easy Mommy. Mom says; 'Carl had the,.