The Color Purple By Alice Walker: Literary Analysis

The Color Purple by Alice Walker is an extremely emotional book that has touched the lives of many. Alice Walker was born and raised in Georgia, which at the time this book was written, was an area where abusing women was okay. Where Walker grew up is a key factor into the book because it takes place in Georgia. While the novel touches some very controversial topics, such as rape and god, it does it in a unique way. Celie, the main character, finds her spiritual and personal growth throughout the book. To have a deeper understanding of this novel, it is important one analyzes character vs. character conflict, character vs. self conflict, and symbolism. One of the literary elements discussed in The Color Purple is character vs. character conflict

self conflict with Celie. Character vs. self conflict is a literary element where oneself has to overcome their own feelings. “I ast him to take me instead of Nettie while our new mammy sick (7).” Celie asks Albert to take her instead of Nettie even though she knew what kind of man he was. She got over her fear and stood up for her sister since she was too young. Throughout the book Celie continues to have a battle with herself. “Yeah I say, but don’t let’s do it in here, let;s go in you and Grady room (126).” In this quote, Celie is talking to Shug after they found the letters that Albert was hiding from her. Celie questions the opening of the letters and makes sure it is done in a secret place so Albert will not find out. The author's purpose in this novel is to show that while one may have a conflict with their self in the end it can be for the good. Along with these two kinds of conflict, Walker expresses

When Celie was with Albert she was never seen as a person, she was seen as an object. She was never allowed or socially accepted to wear pants. Pants were not a thing for women to wear. They were seen as men's clothing. “I dream Sofia wearing these pants, one day she was jumping over the moon(219).” Celie dreams that Sofia will one day wear the pants and break out of all the social norms. When Celie leaves Albert she starts wearing pants. She then realizes that pants made her feel like a person and not just an object. She then makes a successful business out of pants. She starts her own business where she sews and sells her own pants. Celie broke out from the normal thing that people did and defied gender