The Color Purple - The Painful Truth

Jasmine Roberts January 5, 2010 Block 4A The Color Purple Analysis The Color Purple: The Painful Truth In Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, Walker brings the novel to life in ways that many people would find disagreeable. However, her presentation of The Color Purple, as well as Walker’s solution to its conflicts is the truth and is advocated. Walker raises womanish attitude, family struggle, and life abuse to the attention of her readers. A good example of womanish behavior was on page 36, when Harpo was advised to beat his wife, Sofia. To both Albert and Celie’s surprise, Harpo returned to them the next day sporting several injuries generously given to him by Sofia. Sofia’s reaction immediately informed bystanders that she would not tolerate any physical abuse from anyone, unlike Celie. Sofia never fails to restrain herself when she is struck, lashing out at the culprits. Celie first develops her self-expression through her love for Shug; Celie writes to Nettie that her “heart broke” because “Shug [loved] somebody else” (247). Celie’s growing confidence has allowed her to love again, though it is not a man that she loves. After leaving Albert, Celie and Shug escape to Shug’s mansion in Memphis, where Celie is proud enough to begin her own business by sewing pants and selling them; Celie is finally happy because of all the money that she has earned (212). Before the happiness, Celie was abused and raped by her stepfather, resulting in the birth of Adam and Olivia (41). Her mother was deeply ashamed even though she was extremely sick at the time; Celie was eventually sent off to marry Albert, who also abused Celie. Albert also created a large gap in Celie and Nettie’s relationship by pocketing all of the letters that were meant for Celie; thus igniting her hatred for him. Celie begins to write to Nettie and, after receiving her letters, discovers their family history; Celie and

Nettie’s “Pa” was really their stepfather and he went against the wishes of their family’s will keeping the land that was meant for Celie and Nettie. The life abuse Walker placed in the novel is extreme and almost viewed as inhumane. Celie’s unfortunate relationship with men, such as Albert’s negligence and abuse and her stepfather’s harassment, resulted in Celie’s seemingly switched orientation. Tashi’s marking of shame because of her refusal to become circumcised caused her to run away in shame; after Adam proved his love for Tashi, they married. Sofia was sent to prison after attacking the mayor and his wife and her children grew up, either angry at her or not knowing her. Walker’s harsh, but realist literary piece is agreeable; not everyone can advocate her message, but she placed her beliefs and life experiences in the strong female characters of The Color Purple; ergo, her presentation and resolutions are supported.