Free Color Purple Essays: How Does Celie Change

1. How does Celie change over the course of the novel? Incorporate evidence from the novel for support.

Over the course of the novel, Celie, became a confident, independent, strong woman. The novel begins with fourteen year old, Celie, As the novel progresses

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2. Write a brief summary of the events that made Celie decide to take control of her life.

Events leading to Celie taking control of her life began with Celie’s relationship with Shug Avery. Shug Avery embodied confidence and what it looked like for a person, particularly a woman to use their voice and defend themselves. Celie desired to inherit traits like Shug and realized how great it would be if she took control of her own life and writes, “My life stop when I left home, I think. But then I think again. It stop with Mr. ______ maybe, but start

up again with Shug” (81). Celie later discovered her sister, Nettie, is alive after Shug found Nettie’s hidden letters which caused Celie to became angry with Mr. ______ and for the first time Celie didn’t want to bear through terrible treatment she’s received throughout her entire life, Celie wanted to retaliate and confront Mr.______. Celie began to think of how joyous her life would be when her sister returned. Celie stopped writing to God as she felt like he hadn’t done anything to help improve her life and become independent. Celie finally takes full control of her life at Thanksgiving dinner and stood up to Mr. _____ and called him a “lowdown dog” (206) and moved with Shug and away from Mr. _____’s control and became her own boss. On the drive away from Mr. ______’s house Celie said with confidence, “I’m pore, I’m black, I may be ugly and can’t cook, a voice to say everything listening. But I’m here” (207).

3. Compare and contrast the problems of Black Americans in the early 1900’s with those of modern Black Americans.

Black Americans have progressed immensely in society, but continue to face issues of racism and systemic oppression. The education that Blacks are provided in urban, government-funded schools continues to be deplorable and make a higher education exceptionally difficult for Black as opposed to historically funded groups. The cycle of poor education has led to a disadvantage of Blacks advancing in society and careers. Violence against Blacks is another problem that continues to plague Blacks. The brutality may have changed in appearance, but has persistently been done by those hired into power. Blacks are killed at an alarming rate by public officials. Despite these ongoing grievances Black Americans have made a steady advance in society. Opportunities have grown for Blacks as Jim Crow laws have been outlawed and steps have been taken in America for equal opportunities such as affirmative action and the creation of the NAACP. A voice in politics was permitted to Blacks when the right to vote was granted and provisions are being continually made for equality of blacks in society.

4. Discuss why the use of dialect and diction are so important of the style of The Color Purple. Were there any passages that were hard to understand? Incorporate evidence from the novel for support. (Syntax)

The use of dialect and diction are important to the style of The Color Purple as they served to emphasize points and convey messages and themes that Walker incorporated into the novel. The novel is written as a epistolary, beginning with letters written by the protagonist, Celie, in dialect Walker describes as “black folk language”. Due to the novel's first person narration in letters written by Celie and later on by Celie’s sister, Nettie, the reader learns of the characters tribulations and understands the characters traits with great intimacy from the characters own personal dialect. Celie writes her letters in “black folk language” which consists of poor grammar and spelling and used through harsh language to describe herself. Walker does this to emphasize that Celie is uneducated and has a low self esteem. An example of this would be when Celie writes, “I feel bad sometime Nettie done pass me in learnin. But look like nothing she say can git in my brain and stay” (10). Later in the novel the reader is introduced to Nettie who is educated, independent and loving as the reader learns through Nettie’s letters to Celie. Nettie’s personality traits become evident when she writes Celie, “Oh, Celie, unbelief is a terrible thing. And so is the hurt we cause others unknowingly” (185). Walker once again uses a character's personal dialect and diction to emphasize the character's traits. In emphasizing different characters traits, Walker exudes certain themes and messages of the novel such love as a reason for growth, strength and the tribulations of blacks in the 1900’s.

5. Explain who you believe is the “hero” of the novel and why. Incorporate evidence from the novel for support.

Shug Avery is the hero of the The Color Purple as it was her that awakened self-esteem and a voice in Celie that empowered Celie to take control of her life. Shug’s care for others, independence, strength and love to bring joy to others through music is what helps to make her the hero of the novel. Shug not only had a tremendous impact on Celie, but on other characters such as Harpo and Mary “Squeak” Agnes. When Harpo’s juke joint wasn’t bringing in any profit it was Shug’s music that attracted customers and brought an income to Harpo. Shug’s musical talents inspired Mary Agnes to pursue a singing career when Shug told her, “You ought to sing in public” (115) and would take Mary Agnes to Tennessee with her to do so. Shug ultimately had the biggest impact on Celie because it was Shug that found Celie’s sisters letters and would be the one to tell Celie, “He been keeping your letters” (119). Shug taught Celie how to love her body, stand up for herself, take control of her life and begin her new life as a single-minded individual and drift away from her previous tendencies of victimhood.

p.144 p.192 p.192-197 p.199 p.206 p.207 p. 213(pants)

6. Compare and contrast the different male characters in the The Color Purple. What generalization does Walker make about males? Incorporate evidence from the novel for support.

Alphonso, Mr.

_______ and Harpo were the most influential male characters in The Color Purple. Each man viewed women as being below men and servants and concluded that violence against women is what made men strong and that wives were meant to be weak and submissive. Celie quotes Mr. ______ saying, “Wives is like children. You have to let’em know who got the upper hand. Nothing can do that better than a sound good beating”(35). Alphonso showed his possessiveness over Celie when he repeatedly raped her and threatened to kill her if mother if she told. Despite Harpo being possessive and abusive, Harpo struggles with dominating over his wife unlike the other characters in the story. Harpo’s first impulse isn’t to be his wife, but does so after be told to do so by his father. Walker generalizes that men are abusive and harmful and hold a meanness that women can’t. This became evident when Celie writes, “I don’t even look at mens. That’s the truth. I look at women, tho, cause I’m not scared of them” (5). Celie doesn’t fear women because she doesn't see women as a threat like men. Celie associates violence and abuse a trait that men

carry.

7. Compare and contrast the different female characters in The Color Purple. What generalization does Walker make about females? Incorporate evidence from the novel for support.

The Color Purple consist of a numerous amount of women. Every woman in the novel is looked down by men as women.

Must fight to get what you want or be oppressed by men
Women together/supporting make them stronger
Women aren’t thought of highly
Women helped to take care of one another
P.9???? P.35 p.81

8. Theorists say that students should read books that present real-life situations in order from them to be able to cope with life better when they are out of school. Sometimes this reality is very harsh. Problems such as rape, profanity, incest, homosexulity, alcoholism, drug addiction, and violence all exist in real-life. But the censor’s motto, according to Worthington (1985), is “better to deny than to face” (p. 48). The following is a list of real-life problems discussed in the Color Purple that censors might cite as reasons to censor the book. Are these reasons “better to deny than to face”? Take a position on whether or not The Color Purple should be banned from the high school classroom. Incorporate evidence from the novel for support.

The Color Purple should not be banned from the high school classroom.