The Color Purple
by Alice Walker
Harcourt | 1982
Set in the deep American South between the wars, it is the tale of Celie, a young black girl born into poverty and segregation. Raped repeatedly by the man she calls 'father', she has two children taken away from her, is separated from her beloved sister Nettie and is trapped into an ugly marriage. But then she meets the glamorous Shug Avery, singer and magic-maker - a woman who has taken charge of her own destiny. Gradually, Celie discovers the power and joy of her own spirit, freeing her from her past and reuniting her with those she loves.
The Color Purple is hailed as a Modern Classic and rightly so.
The grammar/writing is unconventional, deviates from the norm, but it delivers the story so well. This style is implemented to "stay true" to the characterization of the narrator and feel as though she wrote it. She speaks colloquially because it's how everyone speaks and she does not have an extensive formal education; hence, certain words are spelled the way they are. It's an effective vehicle because it added personality to the characters, which made them more realistic. Their personalities also created pleasant energy.
The book formatted as letters to God, letters to Celie from Nettie, and letters to Nettie from Celie. I am glad it is told epistolary because I prefer and enjoy this over long chapters. I found myself breezing through the novel because of its format. Each letter has commentary on feminism, imperialism, religion, racism, and sexuality (what a doozy!) It's incredibly illuminating and moving. And because of it's short length, it packs a bigger punch, while being digestible.
The story follows Celie's life after she was raped by her father figure, robbed of her children, forced into marriage, and forced to raise his children. I found her experience harrowing, and I sympathized for her lack of freedom and her abuse from men. Somehow, she is able to endure all of this, such awe-inducing strength! She eventually stands up for herself and makes a remarkable change into a strong, independent woman. She makes something of herself despite the hardships and obstacles in her life while forgiving/making peace with her abusers. She comes to terms with her sexuality. She questions her faith, but it is solidified and strengthened after wavering. She accepts herself. A beautiful metamorphosis. She had the means to transform to the person she is, she just needed that push.
Where Celie's perspective mainly demonstrates internal conflicts, Nettie's demonstrates external conflicts. In Nettie's perspective, she recounts the stripping of African culture, the theft of land, the apathy of European industrialists, and internalized racism. For lack of a better term, her perspective is woke. I seldom see this commentary in novels, so it was a pleasant change in pace. I loved how Nettie's perspective followed one tribe and their experiences; she puts a name to the faces, and she makes them feel like family/real people we see every day through her relationship with them. I already knew the horrors of Imperialism, the novel enforced it.
This book has a cast of amazing women. Sofia and Shug are such empowering figures: forward-thinking, independent, in-charge, courageous. They did not follow the status quo; they took it and turned it upside down. This is a fantastic novel! I wish more people my age knew about this novel and read it. It's a shame this book is banned in schools because it's a great conversation starter and it's enlightening.
The book formatted as letters to God, letters to Celie from Nettie, and letters to Nettie from Celie. I am glad it is told epistolary because I prefer and enjoy this over long chapters. I found myself breezing through the novel because of its format. Each letter has commentary on feminism, imperialism, religion, racism, and sexuality (what a doozy!) It's incredibly illuminating and moving. And because of it's short length, it packs a bigger punch, while being digestible.
The story follows Celie's life after she was raped by her father figure, robbed of her children, forced into marriage, and forced to raise his children. I found her experience harrowing, and I sympathized for her lack of freedom and her abuse from men. Somehow, she is able to endure all of this, such awe-inducing strength! She eventually stands up for herself and makes a remarkable change into a strong, independent woman. She makes something of herself despite the hardships and obstacles in her life while forgiving/making peace with her abusers. She comes to terms with her sexuality. She questions her faith, but it is solidified and strengthened after wavering. She accepts herself. A beautiful metamorphosis. She had the means to transform to the person she is, she just needed that push.
Where Celie's perspective mainly demonstrates internal conflicts, Nettie's demonstrates external conflicts. In Nettie's perspective, she recounts the stripping of African culture, the theft of land, the apathy of European industrialists, and internalized racism. For lack of a better term, her perspective is woke. I seldom see this commentary in novels, so it was a pleasant change in pace. I loved how Nettie's perspective followed one tribe and their experiences; she puts a name to the faces, and she makes them feel like family/real people we see every day through her relationship with them. I already knew the horrors of Imperialism, the novel enforced it.
This book has a cast of amazing women. Sofia and Shug are such empowering figures: forward-thinking, independent, in-charge, courageous. They did not follow the status quo; they took it and turned it upside down. This is a fantastic novel! I wish more people my age knew about this novel and read it. It's a shame this book is banned in schools because it's a great conversation starter and it's enlightening.
Sounds cool! I love a book with empowering women!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chloe! I hope you read it.
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