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Squeak becomes Harpo’s girlfriend after Sofia leaves him. Her real name is Mary Agnes, but because she’s submissive to Harpo, he calls her Squeak to further indicate her timidity and obedience. The nickname implies that Harpo, despite wanting a codependent, doting lover, does not respect Mary Agnes. Squeak’s personality stands in contrast to Sofia’s defiance and independence – through Squeak, Harpo finally gets the deferential behavior he expected and wanted from Sofia. However, it’s clear that Harpo still has feelings for Sofia despite his past attempts to belittle and dominate her, suggesting that he may be less attracted to submission than he thinks he is. Tensions arise between Squeak and Harpo when she realizes that Harpo is still attracted to Sofia despite their separation. Still, Squeak is ultimately a kind person, a trait that is evidenced by her horror at the news of Sofia’s brutal arrest. She does everything she can—which includes allowing herself to be raped—to save Sofia from what would be a fatal prison sentence. Squeak’s behavior is another example of how, despite the rampant abuse inside Mr. ______’s household, the family, and especially the women, put aside their differences to face their common enemy: the white people and racist society that oppresses them.
Early on in Harpo and Squeak’s relationship, Celie encourages Squeak to make Harpo call her by her real name to establish some sort of power and respect between them, but it takes a long time for her to gather up the courage to enact this change. However, as the narrative progresses, Squeak begins to gain more autonomy and confidence in her relationship with Harpo. The family becomes increasingly made up of Black women who protect and encourage one another, and through her relationships with Celie, Shug, and Sofia, Squeak learns about the opportunities available to her outside of men. Her pivotal moment occurs when she decides to go on tour with Shug, wanting to try her hand at singing. Like many of the other women in The Color Purple, Squeak’s main character arc revolves around liberating herself from physical and emotional male abuse. At the end of the novel, Squeak is living in Panama with Grady, making good money from their marijuana farm. Her decision to remove herself from Harpo’s controlling presence allows her to enjoy a life with more variety and opportunity than she ever would have experienced had she remained submissive.
