Walker, A. (1982). The Color Purple. Orlando, Fl: Harcourt. ISBN: 9780156028356.
Plot Summary:
The book begins with Celie writing to God about her miserable childhood, where she is raped by a man she calls Pa and her children are taken away from her. Even when she’s married off to a brutal man, her living conditions don’t get any better. Her husband, Albert, sends off her sister, Nettie, beats Celie daily, and dares to bring home a woman whom he’s having an affair with, Shug Avery. Celie tells God everything, including the life and troubles of her stepson, Harpo, her daughter-in-law Sophia, and Harpo’s girl friend, Squeak. They all have hardships and sorrow.
Yet despite all this, she finds a way to enjoy the simple things in life, by befriending Shug, who teaches her about love and self-confidence. Celie finds Nettie’s letters, which her husband had been hiding from her, which tell of her children, growing up in Africa with missionaries. Nettie continues to be a source of comfort and her letters reveal major secrets, including news that Celie’s “Pa” was not her father.
Celie begins writing to Nettie instead of God and with Shug's help, she keeps up her faith and eventually leaves her husband. Shug and Mary Agnes move with her to Memphis, find self-supporting careers and a very different life. When she returns home to an inherited house, Celie runs her own business and makes peace with Albert. The book ends with joy at the reunion of Celie and Nettie, who also brings home Celie’s children.
Critical Evaluation:
This book is a gem for many reasons: it’s a snapshot of the lives of the black people in the American South during the 1920's thru the 1940's before the Civil Rights movement; it’s a portrait of injustice, desolation and victimization; and its moving story about a woman’s journey from a miserable childhood filled with pain and struggling transformed into a meaningful life as an independent and wise woman. Celie is a character that no one would ever expect to be heroic and yet she is absolutely remarkable. The writing of this novel is simple, yet powerful, and the story is rich with emotional value. This is a book that teens can easily jump into, then soon become consumed by its evocative, bittersweet narrative. It’s a masterpiece!
Reader’s Annotation:
Two African American sisters, separated as teenagers, remain loyal to one another across time, distance, and silence. Through their letters, we discover how they learn about passion, pain, promise and a love for life.
Information About the Author:
Alice Walker's parents were sharecroppers, and she grew up in a small Georgia town. When she was eight, an accident with a BB gun damaged one eye, resulting in a partial loss of sight. She studied at Spelman College and received her degree from Sarah Lawrence. After college, she worked at the Head Start program in Mississippi and the welfare department in New York City. She married a civil rights lawyer, whom she divorced ten years later. The Color Purple won the 1982 Pultizer Prize and was made into a successful movie, directed by Stephen Spielberg. She is the mother of a daughter and continues to serve as a spokesperson for the value of African-American traditions and culture, and for the common people who cannot speak for themselves.
Genre:
Teen Issues: Pregnancy and Teen Parents, Racism, Physical and Emotional Abuse, Sexual Abuse
Contemporary Life: Coming of Age
Historic Novels: Twentieth Century (1920-1940)
Multicultural Fiction: African Americans
Alternative Formats: Epistolary Novels
Curriculum Ties: English class, Ethnic Studies class, Social Studies class, History class, Book clubs
Booktalking Ideas:
1.) The symbolic value of the book title
2.) The narrative structure and the use of letterwriting in this novel
3.) The significance of Celie and Netties return home
4.) The oppressive life of these African American women during this time and place
5.) The portrayal of male characters in this story
Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 16 – adult
Challenge Issues/Defenses:
Potential Challenges:
• Depictions of Violence
• Depictons of Sexual Behavior
• Depictions of Homosexuality
• Content includes references to drinking
Defense Strategy:
• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp
• Refer to awards won by this book from reputable organizations:
• Provide book reviews by actual readers on a publicly accessible website:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Color-Purple/Alice-Walker/e/9780156028356
• Provide discussion questions book clubs have used to address issues or book content:
http://www.litlovers.com/guide_colorpurple.html
• Provide advisory reviews for parents about this book’s content and age appropriateness:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/color-purple
Why This Book Was Included: I loved the movie version produced years ago and always meant to read the original book version. This story is such a revelation and has so much value in its content. It explores concepts about American history, about women of color, about courage, about forgiveness, about love and life…It would be a wonderful contribution to any older teen (and adult) collection.
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