Color Purple Symbolism

The symbolism of the color purple is evident in Alice Walker’s novel, The Color Purple. Celie and Shug bring attention to the abuse women faced in the early twentieth century. Walker wanted to bring attention to the abuse women faced because not many people paid attention to what women had to deal with in that time period. Her novel got mixed reviews from critics due to the bad image they thought Walker gave the black community because the abusers in the story are colored. There were also other people who viewed the story differently and understood what Walker was trying to bring attention and that was the abuse woman faced in the early twentieth (Women’s). Woman were treated very badly in that time period but Walker wanted to put out the

Celie and Shug showed how important those three are. When Shug was able to help Celie through her tough times by showing her love and showing that she cared for her because she knew that Celie did not have anybody in her life who cared for her anymore. Shug showed that by being by Celie’s side and let her talk about her hard life, everything that she went through and her life with Albert, “And because we never believed we were poor, and therefore worthless, we could depend on one another without shame” (Walker). Celie felt comfortable enough to talk to Shug because she did not make her feel worthless. She helps Celie cope with all of the emotions she has been holding in for many years and helps her get to a good emotional state (Proudfit). Celie feels comfortable around Shug and opens up to her quickly by talking about her life before Albert and how she lost the only person who ever cared and loved her, her sister, “I talk so much my voice start to go. Why you want to know so much bout Nettie? I ast. Cause she the only one you ever love, she say, sides me” (Walker, Color 123). Shug soon learns a lot about Celie’s sister, Nettie, and helps Celie get intouch with her by finding letters Albert hid from Celie so he can get his revenge on Nettie after she would not sleep with him. After finding the letters Celie became full of anger and wanted to kill Albert, but Shug stopped her but also understood why she would want to kill him, “I stumble around bout the house crazy for Mr.____ blood. In my mind, he falling dead every which way” (Walker, Color 125). Shug thought it was good that she was releasing her anger after all of these years because she has just been bottling it up(Walker, Color). As Shug continues to help Celie, Celie is becoming a little more stable and a little more hopeful each day that soon she will not have