The Color Purple by Alice Walker an analysis

 

Introduction

The Color Purple is the most celebrated novel written by Alice Walker. It tells about the rights and discriminations occurring in the black American society. Celie, the central character of the story, was depicted as a strong woman who struggled her life in the middle of pressure done by both black (male) and white society. This book generally teaches us how to treat others equally without considering their differences.

Alice Walker is an American author, womanist, and activist who is best known for her novel The Color Purple. She was born on February 9, 1995 in  Georgia. Her father, Willie Lee Walker, was a poor farmer. While her mother, Minnie Lou Tallulah Grant worked as a maid to supplement the family income. Alice Walker married Melvyn Rosenman Leventhal, a Jewish civil rights lawyer on March 17, 1967 in New York City. Later they moved to Jackson, Mississippi, becoming "the first legally married inter-racial couple in Mississippi". They were harassed and threatened by whites, including the Ku Klux Klan. The couple had a daughter named Rebecca in 1969. Alice Walker and her daughter became estranged. Walker and her husband divorced amicably in 1976. Alice Walker's first book of poetry was written while she was a senior at Sarah Lawrence College. In addition, her first novel, The Third Life of Grange Copeland, was published in 1970. In 1976, her second novel, Meridian, was published. The novel dealt with activist workers in the South during the civil rights movement, and closely paralleled to some of Alice Walker's own experiences. In 1982, Alice Walker published what has become her best-known work, the novel The Color Purple. It tells about a young troubled black woman fighting her way through not only racist white culture but also patriarchal black culture and it was a resounding commercial success. The book became a bestseller and was subsequently adapted into a critically acclaimed 1985 movie. Alice Walker has also written several other novels, including The Temple of My Familiar and Possessing the Secret of Joy (which featured several characters and descendants of characters from The Color Purple). She has published a number of collections of short stories, poetry, and other published works. She expresses the struggles of black people, particularly women, and their lives in a racist, sexist, and violent society. Her writings also focus on the role of women of color in culture and history.

 

Summary of the novel

The Color Purple begins with Celie who tells about her past. She is a black woman living with her father; her sister is named Nettie, and her ill mother. Celie is raped by her own father. Upon knowing this event, Celie’s mother’s illness becomes worse, and later she dies. When Celie gives birth to her child, her father steals the baby and sells her to a married couple. One day, a young man named Albert (whom Celie calls him as ‘Mr._____’ in the story) comes to propose Nettie. However, her father does not agree and gives him Celie as a replacement. Then, Celie and Albert gets married and lives together.

Albert treats Celie badly. He often hits her for disobeying him. Her own son named Harpo also does the same thing to her. She feels lonely because Nettie already moves abroad. Celie is told to fight Albert back, but she does not have the courage to do so. One day, Harpo tells Celie that he is fallen in love with a girl named Sofia. Sofia is a different woman. She is not afraid of men, while other girls are. Later Harpo and Sofia get married. Their relationship was more stable compared to others. The main reason was Harpo can not beat her as Sofia was physically more stronger than Harpo. Celie confess to Sofia on how she is jealous of her. Celie is jealous of her because Sofia has the courage to fight back.

 

One day, a famous singer named Shug Avery comes to the village and stays with Celie and Albert. Albert has a feeling toward Shug Avery although she does not care about it. Celie and Shug Avery becomes good friends. They both admire each other. Shug Avery admires Celie for her tenderness, while Celie admires Shug Avery because she finds a different life’s perspective through her. Celie felt safe because Albert will not beat her when Shug Avery is with her.

 

Celie hears bad news that Sofie is arrested in jail. She is arrested because she mocks and beats the White people. Sofie’ friend named Mary Agnes tries to free her by begging to the white warden. However, she is raped instead. Harpo then personally asks the warden himself. They agree that instead of being sentenced in prison, Sofie should be mayor’s maid. Sofie works there for years and gets horrible treatment from them.

 One day, on a Christmas, Shug Avery comes again with her new husband. Albert was totally disappointed. That night, Celie sleeps with Shug Avery. Shug asks her about her sister, Nettie. Celie tells her that she is afraid that Nettie dies because she never sends any letters. With Shug’s help celie finally finds out that Albert was hiding all the Nettie’s letters. From the letters, Celie knows that Nettie is in Africa, becoming a babysitter for Adam and Olivia. In fact, it is revealed that they both are Celie’s children who were sold by Celie’s father. Celie is angry to Albert because of hiding all the Nettie’s letters. Celie wants to kill him, but she is prevented by Shug.

Shug decides to move to Tennesse and she asks Celie to join her. Celie agrees to go with Shug, leaving Albert. Before they go, they visit Celie’s father’s house. It is later revealed that he is not her own father, but a step-father. Celie and Shug move to Memphis and work there. Meanwhile, Sofie is released after becoming a maid for eleven years. Sofie and Harpo decide to go with Celie. Albert becomes weak because he stays alone. Years later, Celie finds out that Albert has transformed into a different person. He becomes a person who works hard and treats people nicely. Celie decides to forgive him because Albert changes into a different person. They both then join and live together.

 One day, Nettie returns to America. She comes to celie’s house along with Adam and Olivia. Celie is very happy because she is finally able to rejoin her sister and her own children.

 

Themes:

Racism and Oppression

The novel is set in the racially segregated American South, and racism pervades the lives of Black characters. They face discrimination, economic hardship, and limited opportunities due to their race. Walker portrays how these oppressive systems trap Black individuals, especially women, in cycles of poverty and servitude. Characters like Celie and Sofia are victims of white dominance, with Sofia facing imprisonment for defying racial hierarchies.

 

Sexism and Patriarchy

Sexism is a pervasive theme as the novel realistically portrays the oppression of women within patriarchal structures. Celie’s life is defined by abuse from her stepfather and later her husband, Albert. The novel explores how women are reduced to possessions or laborers. However, through sisterhood and solidarity, female characters begin to resist these roles.

 

Sisterhood and Female Solidarity

Relationships among women form the backbone of the narrative. Celie’s bond with Shug Avery transforms her life, which promotes self-love and empowerment. Sofia’s defiance and resilience inspire others, while Nettie’s letters serve as a lifeline for Celie. Walker emphasizes the importance of female support networks in combating oppression and reclaiming subjectivity.

 

Power and Transformation

The novel examines how power dynamics shift and evolve. Initially, Celie is powerless, subject to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. However, she gains strength and autonomy through her relationships, financial independence (her pants-making business), and self-expression. Similarly, Albert undergoes a transformation, shedding his controlling ways and forming a respectful friendship with Celie.

Colonialism and Global Oppression

Through Nettie’s letters, the novel extends its critique of oppression to colonialism. The experiences of the Olinka people in Africa highlight the destructive impacts of Western missionary efforts and exploitative capitalism. This subplot parallels the struggles faced by African Americans in the U.S., linking global systems of oppression.

Resilience and Hope

Despite the immense suffering the characters endure, The Color Purple is ultimately a story of hope and resilience. Celie’s transformation from a voiceless victim to an empowered woman embodies the triumph of the human spirit. Walker celebrates the capacity for healing, redemption, and the reclamation of joy, even in the face of adversity