The Color Purple

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the color, see Purple.
For other uses, see The Color Purple (disambiguation).
The Color Purple ColorPurple.jpg
First edition cover
Author

Alice Walker

Country

United States

Language

English

Publisher

Harcourt Brace Jovanovich

Publication date
1982
ISBN 0-15-119153-0
OCLC 8221433
Dewey Decimal
813/.54 19
LC Class

PS3573.A425 C6 1982

The Color Purple is a 1982 epistolary novel by American author Alice Walker
that won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for
Fiction.[1][a] It was later adapted into a film and musical of the same name.

Taking place mostly in rural Georgia, the story focuses on the life of AfricanAmerican women in the southern United States in the 1930s, addressing
numerous issues including their exceedingly low position in American social
culture. The novel has been the frequent target of censors and appears on the
American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books
of 2000-2009 at number seventeen because of the sometimes explicit content,
particularly in terms of violence.[2][3]

Contents

1 Plot summary
2 Themes
2.1 Sexism and racism
2.2 Disruption of traditional gender roles
2.3 Sisterhood
3 Motifs
3.1 Letters
3.2 Womens' rights
4 Character analysis
4.1 Celie
4.2 Nettie
4.3 Shug Avery
4.4 Albert (known as Mr.___)
5 Film, theatrical, and radio adaptations
6 Boycotting Israel
7 Editions
8 See also
9 Notes
10 References
11 External links

Plot summary

Celie, the protagonist and narrator, is a poor, uneducated, fourteen-year-old

black girl living in the American South. She writes letters to God because the

man she believes to be her father, Alphonso, beats and rapes her. Alphonso
has already impregnated Celie once, a pregnancy that resulted in the birth of a
girl. Alphonso takes the girl away shortly after her birth. Celie has a second
child, a boy, whom Alphonso also abducts. Celie's ailing mother dies after
cursing Celie on her deathbed.

Celie and her younger sister, Nettie, learn that a man identified only as Mister
wants to marry Nettie. Alphonso refuses to let Nettie marry, instead arranging
for Mister to marry Celie. Mister, needing someone to care for his children and
keep his house, eventually accepts the offer. Mister and his children, whose
mother was murdered by a jealous lover, all treat Celie badly. However, she
eventually gets Mister's squalid living conditions and incorrigible children under
control.

Shortly thereafter, Nettie runs away from Alphonso and takes refuge at Celie's
house. Mister makes sexual advances toward her. Celie then advises Nettie to
seek assistance from a well-dressed black woman that she had seen in the
general store a while back; the woman had unknowingly adopted Celie's
daughter and was the only black woman that Celie had ever seen with money
of her own. Nettie is forced to leave after promising to write. Celie, however,
never receives any letters and concludes that her sister is dead.

Time passes and Mister's children begin to grow up and leave home. Harpo, the
only child of Mister who becomes a major character, falls in love with an
assertive girl named Sofia. Sofia becomes pregnant with Harpo's baby and,
despite initial resistance from Mister, marries Harpo. Harpo and Sofia have five
other children in short order.

Celie is amazed by Sofia's defiant refusal to submit to Harpo's attempts to

control her. Harpo, kinder and gentler than his father, feels emasculated due to
his inability to get Sofia to "mind." Celie advises Harpo not to try to dominate
Sofia; she also tells Harpo that Sofia loves him, admitting that she only obeys
Mister out of fear. Harpo temporarily follows Celie's advice but falls back under
Mister's sway. A momentarily jealous Celie then advises Harpo to beat Sofia.
Sofia fights back, however, inflicting serious injuries on Harpo.

After Sofia confronts her, Celie, who was already feeling guilty about what she
had done, apologizes and confides in her about all the abuse she suffers at
Mister's hands. She also begins to consider Sofia's advice about defending
herself against further abuse from Mister.

Shug Avery, a lounge singer and Mister's long-time mistress, falls ill and Mister
takes her into his house. Celie, who had been fascinated by the photos of Shug
she found in Mister's belongings, is thrilled to have her there. Mister's father
expresses disapproval of the arrangement, reminding Mister that Shug has
three out-of-wedlock children. Mister proudly states that he knows for certain
that all the children have the same father, indirectly admitting to being their
father. Mister's father leaves in disgust after drinking a glass of water that Celie
spit in. Shug is initially rude to Celie, who has taken charge of nursing her, but
the two women become friends. Celie soon finds herself infatuated with Shug.

Frustrated by Harpo's domineering behavior, Sofia moves out, taking her

children with her. Several months later, Harpo opens a juke joint where Shug,
who has fully recovered from her illness, sings nightly. Shug decides to stay
when she learns that Mister beats Celie when she is away. Shug and Celie's
relationship grows more intimate.

Sofia returns for a visit and promptly gets into a fight with Harpo's new
girlfriend, Squeak, knocking the other woman's teeth out. In town one day, the
mayor's wife, Miss Millie, asks one of Sofia's children to work as her maid. Sofia
rudely refuses. When the mayor slaps Sofia for "insubordination", Sofia returns
the blow. Sofia is subsequently sentenced to twelve years in jail.

Squeak, a mixed-race woman, is Sheriff Hodges' illegitimate niece. Her attempt

to blackmail the sheriff into releasing Sofia result in her being raped by the
sheriff. Squeak cares for Sofia's children while she is incarcerated and the two
women develop a friendship. Sofia is eventually released six months early and
begins working for Miss Millie, a job that she detests.

Despite being newly married, Shug instigates a sexual relationship with Celie
upon her next visit. One night Shug asks Celie about her sister. Shug helps
Celie recover letters from Nettie that Mister has been hiding from her for
decades.

The letters indicate that Nettie befriended a missionary couple, Samuel and
Corrine, the well-dressed woman that Celie saw in the store. Nettie eventually
accompanied the two to Africa to do missionary work. Samuel and Corrine have
unwittingly adopted Celie's son and daughter, Adam and Olivia. Corrine,
noticing that her adopted children resemble Nettie, wonders if Samuel fathered
the children with her. Increasingly suspicious, Corrine tries to limit Nettie's role
within her family.

Through her letters, Nettie reveals that she has become disillusioned with her
missionary work. Corrine becomes ill with a fever. Nettie asks Samuel to tell her
how he adopted Olivia and Adam. Realizing that Adam and Olivia are Celie's
children, Nettie then learns that Alphonso is her and Celie's stepfather. Their
biological father was a store owner whom white men lynched because they
resented his success. She also learns that their mother suffered a mental
collapse after the death of her husband and that Alphonso exploited the
situation in order to control their mother's considerable wealth.

Nettie confesses to Samuel and Corrine that she is in fact their children's
biological aunt. The gravely ill Corrine refuses to believe her until Nettie
reminds her of her previous encounter with Celie in the store. Later, Corrine
dies, finally having accepted Nettie's story. Meanwhile, Celie visits Alphonso,
who confirms Nettie's story. Celie begins to lose some of her faith in God. She
confides in Shug who explains her own unique religious philosophy to Celie.

Celie, having had enough of her husband's abuse, decides to leave Mister along
with Shug and Squeak, who is considering a singing career of her own. Celie
puts a curse on Mister before getting in the car and leaving him for good.

Celie settles in Tennessee and supports herself as a tailor. Celie learns that
Mister, suffering from a considerable decline in fortunes after Celie left him, has
changed dramatically. He gives Celie permission to call him by his first name,
Albert. Albert proposes that they marry "in the spirit as well as in the flesh," but
Celie declines.

Alphonso dies unexpectedly and Celie inherits the land and moves back into
her childhood home. Around this time, Shug falls in love with Germaine, a
member of her band, and the news of this crushes Celie. Shug travels with
Germaine, all the while writing postcards to Celie. Celie pledges to love Shug
even if Shug does not love her back.

Meanwhile, Nettie and Samuel marry and prepare to return to America. Before
they leave, Adam marries Tashi, an African girl. Following African tradition, Tashi
undergoes the painful rituals of female circumcision and facial scarring. In
solidarity, Adam undergoes the same facial scarring ritual.

Just after Celie realizes that she is content in her life without Shug, Shug
returns, having ended things with Germaine. The end of the novel has Nettie,
Samuel, Olivia, Adam, and Tashi arriving at Celie's house. Nettie and Celie
embrace, having not seen each other for over thirty years. They introduce one
another to their respective families as the novel ends.
Themes
Sexism and racism
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Themes of sexism and racism are prevalent in the entire novel, probably as a
reflection of the social contexts surrounding the novel's setting. Celie, as the
main protagonist and narrator, shows some form of internalized oppression
when she advised Harpo to beat Sofia as this was how she was treated by Mr.
____. Shortly after, however, it is revealed that Celie merely advised Harpo in
doing that as she was jealous of Sofia's strong-mindedness and assertiveness.
Later on in the novel, Celie also begins to find strength within her to reject the
violent advances of Mr. _____. Racism as an issue is seen in how Sofia was
imprisoned and violently beaten for rejecting the white mayor's wife's offer to
be her maid (where the offer in itself was a reflection of racist thinking). Nettie,
in her letters, also indicates her reflecting the racial stereotypes held by
American Blacks against their African counterparts. Inscribing a copy of the
novel for a PEN auction in 2014, Alice Walker wrote on the half-title: "I was
mistaken. There is nothing more for me to say about this book."[4]
Disruption of traditional gender roles

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challenged and removed. (January 2015)

Many characters in the novel break the boundaries of traditional male or

female gender roles. Sofia's strength and sass, Shug's sexual assertiveness,
and Harpo's insecurity are major examples of such disparity between a
character's gender and the traits he or she displays. This blurring of gender
traits and roles sometimes involves sexual ambiguity, as we see in the sexual
relationship that develops between Celie and Shug. Disruption of gender roles
sometimes cause problems. Harpo's insecurity about his masculinity leads to
marital problems and his attempts to beat Sofia. Likewise, Shug's confident
sexuality and resistance to male domination cause her to be labeled a tramp.
Throughout the novel, Walker wishes to emphasize that gender and sexuality
are not as simple as we may believe. Her novel subverts and defies the
traditional ways in which we understand women to be women and men to be
men. Throughout the novel, the assertion of what the African-American
femininity is compared to is the exploration of African-American male struggle
with masculinity. The idea of femininity among African-American women is
focused around the abilities of the husband to care for the wife and family.
Men's normative roles are viewed as the source of oppressive male behavior.
Therefore, if the African American male is not fulfilling his role, it is unlikely for
the African-American woman to fulfill her role of femininity because she is
predicated on his abilities.
Sisterhood

The bond of sisterhood is another major theme in The Color Purple. Walker puts
a strong emphasis in the novel on the sisterhood between the different women
in the story. She not only draws attention to and recognizes the importance of
the literal sisterhood between Celie and Nettie, and how that relationship has
helped Celie get through all the hard times she has had to endure since the
beginning, but it also recognizes the strong relationships that form between
Celie and other characters in the novel such as Shug or Sofia. Celie could not
have made all of the personal and internal advancements that she did if it
werent for her strong relationships that she had with Shug, Nettie, and Sofia.
These women can come to understand who they are because of the ties that
bring them and bond them together.[5] Celie is able to become a fighter and
stand up for what she believes because of the love she is receiving, especially
from Shug.[6] Sisterhood, or love, helps Celie to understand her worth in the
world, what she really wants out of life, and that she can achieve so much

more. This plays a pivotal role in the story and reoccurs as a major contributor
to Celies advancements towards happiness and freedom from oppression.
Motifs
Letters

Alice Walker highlights the power of communication through the characters'

letter writing form.[7] The letters that Celie writes to God, and later to her
sister Nettie, symbolize a certain voice that only Celie has, and through which
she is able to express her true desires in her letters. These letters are very
personal to her, and allow her to display any emotion she wants to convey. In
the beginning, when she was writing letters only to God, the letters were very
private and Celie would not have wanted anyone to see them. The letters are
the only way she can represent her true feelings and despair as she is abused.
Later, the letters she gets from Nettie give her hope that she will be reunited
with her sister again.

Celie writes to God for a lack of someone else to write to. She writes to her
sister because she is angry at God because of her past and the people who
have been hurt because of it. She asks God "Why?" which is a question that
cannot be answered. The last letter she writes is to everyone, including God
showing that she has forgiven Him, and that her story has gone through a full
circle of maturation.
Womens' rights

Alice Walker shows her affection toward the equality of women, specifically
African American women, in The Color Purple in many different ways. Towards
the beginning of the book we see Celie married off to the man that Nettie
loved. Her husband was referred to as "Mr._______", without any real surname
given. Celie was abused throughout her life with Mr._______ and was made to
endure that pain without question. As a woman writing letters to her sister, the
lack of a surname given to her husband could represent a lack of respect she
had for him, in regards to how he treated her. Surnames give meaning to life
and meaning to who they are, and by refusing to give her husband that luxury
we see her asserting what little dominance she has over him. Charles Heglar
wrote an article, "Named and Nameless: Alice Walker's Pattern of Surnames in
The Color Purple", which gives the interpretation that Celie was trying to gain
any foothold over her husband, because she wanted to have some dominance
over him.[8] On the other hand, she could simply be omitting his name out of

respect in case those who read her letters knew who she was talking about.
She may have been giving him the benefit of the doubt and wanted to keep his
name out of it. As we see later in the book she does give her husband a name,
although it is only a first name. That seems to be a turning point for their
relationship and the connection between characters and their names becomes
critical and apparent.
Character analysis
Celie

Celie is the main character and has been oppressed by men her whole life. She
is raped by her step father with whom she has two children during her
adolescence. Her step father gives away her two children. Her father gives her
away to be married to Mr.___ He is in love with Shug Avery, a blues singer. Shug
stays with Mr. ___ and Celie, this leads to a sexual relationship between Celie
and Shug. Shug has a significant influence on the protagonist and Celie begins
to model herself after following her views and opinions, leading her ultimately
to a life of independence. Shug influences not only the way that Celie allows
Mr.___ to treat her, but also her showing Celie that it is all right to commit
actions which others may call 'sin', but still believe in and live for God, she
broadens Celie's views on religion and ethics. It is also Shug who frees Celie
from Mr.___'s bondage, first by loving her, then by helping her to start a custom
sewing business. From Shug, Celie learns that Albert has been hiding letters
written to her from Africa by her sister Nettie, a missionary. These letters, full of
educated, first hand observation of African life, form a moving counterpoint to
Celie's life. They reveal that in Africa, just as in America, women are
persistently oppressed by men.[9]
Nettie

Nettie is Celie's younger sister, whom Celie loves and saves from living the
tragic life that she had to endure. Because Nettie is prettier than Celie, who has
been deemed ugly, Mr.___ is originally interested in Nettie as a wife, but settles
for Celie. Nettie runs away from home to be with Celie, but is unable to stay
with Celie as Mr.___ tries to get physically attached to her again. As a result,
Nettie leaves home and before leaving she promises to write to Celie and tells
her that only death can keep them apart. Nettie is eventually taken in by
Samuel and Corrine, a missionary couple, with whom she travels to Africa as a
missionary. While in Africa, Nettie becomes the caregiver of Samuel and
Corrine's children and faithfully writes to Celie for decades. Nettie marries
Samuel after Corrine's death and moves back to America with Celie's children.

Through explaining her experiences to Celie, Nettie encourages Celie to be

more enthusiastic and optimistic about life. Nettie finds that while there is not
racial disparity in Africa, gender disparity exists. The women of the tribe are not
treated as equals, and are not permitted to attend school.
Shug Avery

A sultry blues singer who first appears as Mr.___'s mistress, Shug becomes
Celie's friend and eventually her lover. Shug remains a gentle mentor who
helps Celie evolve into an independent and assertive woman. At first, Shug
doesn't appear to be the mothering and nurturing kind, yet she nurtures Celie
physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Shug helps Celie discover the long lost
letters from her sister Nettie that Mr.___ had been hiding for decades. In
allowing Celie to view these letters, Shug is supplying her with even more hope
and inspiration, letting Celie see that in the end, everything works out for the
best.
Albert (known as Mr.___)

Mr.___ is the man to whom Celie is married. Originally, he seeks a relationship

with Nettie but settles for Celie. Mr.___ mistreats Celie just as her stepfather
had, although Celie does not understand that she doesn't have to tolerate the
abuse. Mr.___ uses Celie to help raise his children, who give her a hard time
because she is not their biological mother. When Shug Avery comes to town,
Mr.___ falls for her and makes her his mistress. Through Shug's seductive and
manipulative influence, Albert begins to treat Celie better. In the end Albert
realizes that he has mistreated Celie and seeks a friendship with her.
Film, theatrical, and radio adaptations
Main articles: The Color Purple (film) and The Color Purple (musical)

The novel was adapted into a film of the same name in 1985. It was directed by
Steven Spielberg and stars Whoopi Goldberg as Celie, Danny Glover as Albert,
and Oprah Winfrey as Sofia. Though nominated for 11 Academy Awards, it won
none. This perceived snubbing ignited controversy because many critics
considered it the best picture that year,[10] including Roger Ebert.[11] Others
were upset by the film's depiction of the black male as abusive, uncaring, and
disloyal. Other critics felt that Steven Spielberg, then most associated with
films such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Indiana Jones, was a poor choice for

such a complex social drama, and that the film had changed or eliminated
much of the book's defense of lesbianism.

On December 1, 2005, a musical adaptation of the novel (based on the film)

opened at The Broadway Theatre in New York City. The show was produced by
Scott Sanders, Quincy Jones, Harvey Weinstein, and Oprah Winfrey, who was
also an investor.[12] It garnered five 2006 Outer Critics Circle Award
nominations, including Outstanding Broadway Musical and Outstanding New
Score. That same year, the show was nominated for eleven Tony Awards,
including Best Musical, Best Original Score Written for the Theater, and Best
Leading Actress in a Musical (LaChanze). LaChanze did win the Tony Award,
though the show itself won no other awards. LaChanze's win was attributed to
the variety of roles for which she had garnered positive attention, as well as for
a powerful backstory. In April 2007, Fantasia Barrino took over the role. The
Broadway production ended its run on February 24, 2008.[13]

In 2008 BBC Radio 4 broadcast a radio adaptation of the novel in ten 15-minute
episodes as a Woman's Hour serial, with Nadine Marshall as Celie. The script
was by Patricia Cumper, and in 2009 the production received the Sony Radio
Academy Awards Silver Drama Award.[14]
Boycotting Israel

As part of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS), the author
declined publication of the book in Israel[15] in 2012. Walker, an ardent proPalestinian activist, said in a letter to Yediot Books that Israel practices
"apartheid" and must change its policies before her works can be published
there.[16][16]