The Color Purple Report
The Color Purple Report
The Color Purple is a fictional story about black women in abusive relationships that try to gain their independence. This book let’s the reader in on Celie, the main character’s, life. She starts out as a poor, pathetic object and becomes a self-confident loved woman. At the time of publication, The Color Purple was a very controversial novel. Many thought it was a bad portrayal of men and whites. Alice Walker, though, tries to focus on “womanism” which is a main topic in her books.
The Color Purple is about a poor black girl, Celie in the early 1900’s. The unique format of all letters from Celie to God give us an insight into her life. The reader is able to follow Celie through years of growth and maturity. The book begins with the reader finding out the protagonist, Celie, was raped by a man known as “Pa” and gets pregnant twice by him . Soon after her mother dies, Celie is left with the role of housekeeper and is soon forced to marry Mr._______, a man with many kids. This man, whom the reader only knows as “Albert ______”, is really in love with Nettie, Celie’s sister and only friend. “Pa” convinces him Celie would be more efficient as far as child-rearing is concerned. Her relationship with Mr._____ is very similar to the one with her “Pa.” Soon, Celie learns about Shug, her husband’s mistress. Shug is everything Celie isn’t and comes to their household sick forcing Celie to be her servant. Shug is an important character in the book. Celie begins to see other woman in her life and is jealous of their independence. They are not in the same kind of relationship she and Mr._____ are in. Shug shows Celie new things and allows he to enjoy life a little more. Celie soon learns her husband had been hiding letters that were from her sister, Nettie, who she assumed was dead. From Nettie, she learns “Pa” was not heir father and that Nettie is with Celie’s two children. Celie begins to write to Nettie instead of God. With the strength of her own and Shug, Celie leaves Albert (her husband) to go to Memphis with Shug. In Memphis, Celie has...