the color purple research paper topics

The Color Purple Research Paper Topics

Delving into The Color Purple research paper topics offers students a rich tapestry of themes, characters, and sociocultural discussions stemming from Alice Walker’s seminal novel. As a pivotal piece in African American literature, the novel provides a wealth of avenues for scholarly exploration, ranging from intricate character studies to broader thematic analyses. This guide aims to furnish students with a plethora of research topics and insights to enhance their academic endeavors surrounding this iconic work.

100 The Color Purple Research Paper Topics

The Color Purple research paper topics present an expansive opportunity for students to dive deep into Alice Walker’s world, unearthing the various layers of meaning, symbolism, and character development present in the novel. From the in-depth exploration of individual character arcs to broader thematic elements tied to race, gender, and socio-cultural dynamics, The Color Purple remains a timeless work of literature, ever relevant to multiple generations of readers and scholars. Here’s a comprehensive list of research topics for students to consider:

Academic Writing, Editing, Proofreading, And Problem Solving Services

Get 10% off with 24start discount code.

1. Character Deep Dives:

• Celie: A journey of self-discovery and emancipation.
• Shug Avery: Music, spirituality, and love.
• Nettie’s perspective: Reconnecting with African roots.
• Mister’s evolution: Villain to understanding figure.
• Sofia’s resistance against societal norms.
• Harpo’s quest for masculinity and identity.
• Squeak: A tale of reclamation and voice.
• Eleanor Jane: The complexities of privilege.
• Alphonso’s power dynamics within the family.
• Adam’s relationship with heritage and family.

2. Major Themes:

• The healing power of storytelling.
• Sisterhood as a sustaining force.
• The intersecting oppressions of race and gender.
• Religion and spirituality in personal transformation.
• Sexual exploration and self-empowerment.
• The consequences of domestic abuse.
• Liberation and independence.
• The impact of education and literacy.
• Love as a transformative force.
• Music and its cathartic influence.

3. Symbols and Motifs:

• The significance of letters.
• Color symbolism: Purples, reds, and blues.
• Quilting: Binding stories and memories.
• Nature and its manifestations.
• The razor and its multifaceted symbolism.
• The significance of names and naming.
• Eyes: Windows to suppressed emotions.
• Land and property: Symbols of autonomy.
• Trees and their role in personal grounding.
• Miss Celie’s pants: Symbol of empowerment.

4. Historical and Sociocultural Context:

• The American South in the early 20th century.
• Examination of the Jim Crow era.
• Black womanhood in the 1930s.
• The missionary movement and its implications.
• The Harlem Renaissance and The Color Purple .
• Racial dynamics within Southern communities.
• The great migration’s impact on character dynamics.
• Economic disparities and their influence on character choices.
• Gender norms of the early 20th century.
• Role of church and community.

5. Literary Techniques and Structure:

• The use of the epistolary form.
• Dialect and language in conveying authenticity.
• Walker’s narrative pacing and sequencing.
• Symbolism and allegory in storytelling.
• The juxtaposition of African and American narratives.
• Themes of silence and voice.
• The role of music and song in narrative progression.
• Walker’s approach to character development.
• The importance of setting in the narrative.
• Point of view and its impact on reader engagement.

6. Comparative Analyses:

• The Color Purple and Their Eyes Were Watching God : A study of Black womanhood.
• Parallels between The Color Purple and Beloved : Trauma and healing.
• Comparing the familial structures in The Color Purple and Song of Solomon .
• The exploration of the South in The Color Purple and Go Tell It on the Mountain .
• The Color Purple and Sula : Feminism and community.
• Relationships and sexuality: The Color Purple vs. Giovanni’s Room .
• Examining the quest for identity in The Color Purple and Invisible Man .
• The Color Purple and The Joy Luck Club : Exploring womanhood across cultures.
• Oppression in The Color Purple and The Handmaid’s Tale .
• Spirituality: The Color Purple and The Autobiography of Malcolm X .

7. Adaptations and Media:

• Analyzing the 1985 film adaptation of The Color Purple .
• The musical adaptation: A study of narrative transformation.
• Book vs. Film: Discrepancies and similarities.
• The portrayal of characters in cinematic adaptation.
• Audience reception of the film versus the novel.
• Music in the film adaptation.
• The role of directorial vision in interpreting the novel.
• Adapting historical context: Book and movie comparison.
• Exploring casting choices for the film.
• Critical reception of the film adaptation.

8. Reception and Legacy:

• Initial critical reception of The Color Purple .
• The novel’s impact on African American literature.
• Feminist critique of The Color Purple .
• The Color Purple in academic curricula.
• Public controversies surrounding the novel.
• The novel’s role in modern pop culture.
• Influence on subsequent Black writers.
• Alice Walker’s legacy and The Color Purple .
• The book’s impact on feminist thought.
• Revisiting The Color Purple in the 21st century.

9. Feminist Perspectives:

• The exploration of womanism in the novel.
• Depiction of female relationships.
• Women’s economic independence in the narrative.
• Body autonomy and sexuality.
• The role of motherhood in The Color Purple .
• Sisterhood versus patriarchy.
• Female solidarity as resistance.
• Masculinity in relation to female characters.
• Walker’s critique of traditional gender roles.
• Feminist readings versus intersectional readings of the novel.

10. Broader Discussions:

• The Color Purple in the context of American literature.
• Exploring Black spirituality in the novel.
• The novel’s examination of trauma and healing.
• The intersection of race, gender, and class.
• The depiction of LGBTQ+ relationships in the novel.
• The Color Purple as a coming-of-age story.
• Analyzing the book’s epistolary structure.
• The power dynamics in The Color Purple .
• Love and its various manifestations in the narrative.
• The novel’s exploration of friendship and loyalty.

For scholars and avid readers alike, The Color Purple research paper topics serve as a gateway to deeper understanding and appreciation of Alice Walker’s masterpiece. Whether you’re interested in detailed character analyses, socio-cultural implications, or comparative literature studies, this novel offers an abundance of areas to delve into, ensuring rich, insightful discussions and writings.

The Color Purple

And the range of research paper topics it offers.

Alice Walker’s masterpiece, The Color Purple , has resonated with readers and scholars for decades, and its depth ensures that it remains a prime subject for research. The novel’s complex layers unfold a broad range of research paper topics that can be explored. Whether one delves into the intricacies of character development, societal commentary, or thematic richness, there’s always a new angle awaiting investigation.

One of the significant strengths of The Color Purple lies in its multi-faceted characters. Each individual, from Celie to Mister, offers an avenue for exploration, making the list of The Color Purple research paper topics nearly inexhaustible. The characters’ personal growths, interactions, and conflicts in the backdrop of the American South allow for an in-depth study of the historical, social, and cultural contexts.

Moreover, the themes present in the novel are as diverse as they are profound. The narrative addresses topics like racism, gender oppression, love, resilience, and personal discovery. The exploration of such issues ensures that The Color Purple research paper topics can cater to a wide variety of academic interests. Whether a student is keen on discussing the nuances of Black womanhood, the impact of socio-cultural norms, or the transformative power of love and friendship, Walker’s novel offers profound insights.

Another intriguing angle for The Color Purple research paper topics is the symbolic representation in the story. From the color purple itself to the letters and the motifs of nature, these symbols can be dissected to reveal deeper meanings and interpretations, providing an enriching experience for researchers and readers alike.

Furthermore, the novel’s adaptability into various media forms, such as film and musical theatre, paves the way for comparative studies. Evaluating the differences, similarities, and unique aspects of each adaptation can result in enlightening The Color Purple research paper topics.

In conclusion, Alice Walker’s The Color Purple is not just a novel; it’s a treasure trove of research opportunities. The range of The Color Purple research paper topics it offers is vast, ensuring that every researcher, student, or academic can find an aspect of the book that resonates with them, prompting deeper exploration and appreciation.

iResearchNet’s Custom Writing Services

In the vast world of academic research and writing, students often find themselves in need of guidance, support, and expertise. For those diving into literature studies, specifically around novels like The Color Purple , iResearchNet stands as a beacon of excellence, offering unparalleled writing services tailored to every student’s unique requirements. Our dedication to academic integrity, combined with our passion for literature, ensures that your research paper will not only be top-quality but also deeply insightful.

Here’s what sets iResearchNet apart:

• Expert Degree-Holding Writers: Our team is composed of professionals with advanced degrees in literature and related fields. They bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to each assignment, ensuring comprehensive and critical analysis.
• Custom Written Works: Every research paper is crafted from scratch, tailored to your specific guidelines and requirements. This approach guarantees originality and authenticity.
• In-depth Research: Our writers go beyond the surface. Drawing from a vast array of sources, they ensure your paper is thoroughly researched and rooted in scholarly discussions.
• Custom Formatting: Whether you need APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, or Harvard formatting, our writers are adept at adhering to any academic style.
• Top Quality: Excellence is our hallmark. Every paper undergoes rigorous quality checks to ensure it meets the highest academic standards.
• Customized Solutions: We recognize the uniqueness of each assignment. Our writers are trained to offer solutions that suit your specific academic needs.
• Flexible Pricing: Quality doesn’t always have to come at a high price. We offer competitive pricing models that cater to various budget ranges.
• Short Deadlines up to 3 Hours: Procrastinated a bit too much? We’ve got you covered. Our efficient team can deliver quality work even on tight deadlines.
• Timely Delivery: We understand the importance of deadlines in the academic world. Your research paper will be in your inbox well before your submission date.
• 24/7 Support: Whether you have a query, need an update, or want some last-minute changes, our support team is always available to assist.
• Absolute Privacy: Your personal and academic information remains confidential. We value your trust and are committed to ensuring complete privacy.
• Easy Order Tracking: Our user-friendly platform allows you to track your order’s progress, communicate with your writer, and access drafts anytime.
• Money-Back Guarantee: We stand by the quality of our work. However, if you’re unsatisfied, we offer a straightforward refund policy.

In summary, iResearchNet is not just a writing service—it’s a partner in your academic journey. Trust us with your research paper on The Color Purple or any other topic, and experience the gold standard of academic writing support.

Unlock Excellence with iResearchNet’s Expertise

Embarking on a literary journey, especially with a masterpiece like The Color Purple , requires depth, insight, and precision. While the novel offers myriad perspectives and layers, it’s essential to present them in a structured, scholarly manner. And that’s precisely where iResearchNet shines.

Why tread the challenging path alone?

• Looking to elevate your research paper to academic excellence?
• Need a fresh pair of expert eyes to bring a novel perspective to The Color Purple ?
• Or perhaps, you’re racing against the clock, and the looming deadline seems daunting?

Whatever your challenge, iResearchNet is here to convert it into an opportunity. An opportunity for learning, growth, and academic distinction.

Take the leap. Entrust us with your The Color Purple research paper and watch us transform your academic voyage.

Order Now and embark on a journey of excellence with iResearchNet.

ORDER HIGH QUALITY CUSTOM PAPER

The Color Purple

53 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Pages 57-112

Pages 113-161

Pages 162-206

Pages 207-286

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discuss the title of the novel. How does this title evoke important themes in the novel? Be sure to trace out as well how Walker uses the literal color purple to reinforce these themes.

Walker coined the term womanism to describe Black female identity that centers Black women’s experiences. What makes The Color Purple a womanist novel?

Discuss the significance of letter writing and writing in the novel. What impact does the epistolary form have on how you experience the plot and character development? What role do letters and writing play in the lives of the characters?

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now

Related Titles

By Alice Walker

By the Light of My Father's Smile

Alice Walker

Everyday Use

In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens

Possessing the Secret of Joy

Strong Horse Tea

The Flowers

The Temple of My Familiar

The Third Life of Grange Copeland

The Way Forward is with a Broken Heart

To Hell with Dying

Featured Collections

African American Literature

View Collection

American Literature

Banned Books Week

Black History Month Reads

Books Made into Movies

Books that Feature the Theme of...

Colonialism & Postcolonialism

Pulitzer Prize Fiction Awardees &...

School Book List Titles

SuperSummary New Releases

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books — The Color Purple

Essays on The Color Purple

Prompt examples for "the color purple" essays, character analysis: celie.

Examine the character of Celie in "The Color Purple." How does she evolve throughout the novel? What factors influence her growth and transformation? Analyze her relationships, experiences, and personal development.

Sisterhood and Female Relationships

Discuss the theme of sisterhood and female relationships in the novel. Explore the connections between Celie, Nettie, Sofia, Shug Avery, and other female characters. How do these relationships empower or hinder the women in the story?

Race and Racism

Analyze the portrayal of race and racism in "The Color Purple." How do characters of different racial backgrounds experience discrimination and oppression? What role does racial identity play in shaping their lives?

Sexuality and Liberation

Examine the theme of sexuality and liberation in the novel, particularly through the character of Shug Avery. How does Celie's relationship with Shug impact her understanding of her own sexuality and self-worth?

Male Characters: Albert, Harpo, and Mister

Analyze the male characters in "The Color Purple," including Albert (Mister) and Harpo. How do their actions and attitudes toward women reflect the novel's themes of patriarchy, power, and transformation?

Religion and Spirituality

Discuss the role of religion and spirituality in the lives of the characters, particularly Celie's evolving spiritual beliefs. How do characters reconcile their faith with their personal experiences and struggles?

Symbolism: The Color Purple

Analyze the symbolism of the color purple in the novel. What does it represent, and how does it change in significance throughout the story? How does the color purple connect to themes of empowerment and healing?

Epistolary Form

Examine the use of the epistolary form (letters) in the novel. How does the narrative structure contribute to the reader's understanding of the characters and their emotions? Explore the significance of written communication in the story.

Social and Cultural Context

Explore the social and cultural context of the novel, considering the time period and location in which the story is set. How do historical and cultural factors impact the characters' lives and choices?

Feminism and Empowerment

Discuss the feminist themes of empowerment and self-discovery in "The Color Purple." How do the female characters reclaim their voices and agency in a patriarchal society? What messages about feminism does the novel convey?

Impact and Legacy

Consider the impact and literary legacy of "The Color Purple." How has the novel influenced discussions of race, gender, and identity? Discuss its adaptation into other forms of media and its relevance today.

The Theme of Sexism and Gender Roles in The Color Purple

Alice walker's use of color in the color purple, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

Defining a Woman in The Color Purple

The fight for female independence as portrayed in alice walker’s "the color purple", celie's transformation in alice walker's "the color purple", hope as the central theme in the color purple, let us write you an essay from scratch.

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Sex Versus Spirituality in The Color Purple

Symbolism of sewing in the color purple, internalization and externalization of color in the bluest eye and the color purple, female marginalisation embodied in the color purple and the yellow wallpaper, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

Relevance of The Color Purple from a Viewpoint of History

Empowering sexual relationship between celie and shug in the color purple, celie's transformation in "the color purple", rebirth and self-discovery in literary works, illustration of victory over hardship in alice walker's "the color purple", how society influences gender as depicted in the color purple and to kill a mockingbird, review of the character of shug and celie in alice walker’s book, the color purple, do not let your struggles overcome you, the color purple and the boys in the boat: two perspectives on american culture, the color purple: the role of female musicians in the early 1900s, the public and private spheres in mrs. dalloway and the color purple, does slavery still remain: leasing of convicts in the color purple, the main characters' personalities in "the color purple" and "a thousand splendid suns", virginia woolf's feminist ideas and its connection to alice walker's the color purple, the color purple: an analysis of alice walker's novel.

Alice Walker

Novel, Epistolary Novel, Domestic Fiction

Celie, Shug Avery, Nettie Harris, Miss Millie, Albert

Relevant topics

• The Outsiders
• Catcher in The Rye
• Between The World and Me
• Lord of The Flies
• Ethan Frome
• The White Tiger
• All Summer in a Day
• A Separate Peace

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

The Color Purple

Alice walker, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Alice Walker's The Color Purple . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

The Color Purple: Introduction

The color purple: plot summary, the color purple: detailed summary & analysis, the color purple: themes, the color purple: quotes, the color purple: characters, the color purple: symbols, the color purple: theme wheel, brief biography of alice walker.

Historical Context of The Color Purple

Other books related to the color purple.

• Full Title: The Color Purple
• When Written: 1981-82
• Where Written: New York City
• When Published: 1982
• Literary Period: postmodernism in America
• Genre: Epistolary novel; the 20th-century African-American novel; 20th-century feminist writing
• Setting: Georgia and coastal Africa, roughly 1920-1950
• Climax: Nettie and Celie are reunited, just before the novel's end, back in Georgia
• Antagonist: Mr. and Pa
• Point of View: first-person (epistolary, or a novel-in-letters)

Extra Credit for The Color Purple

White-black relations in the film version of The Color Purple. The film The Color Purple was directed by Stephen Spielberg, a white, male filmmaker. The film itself deals almost exclusively with the lives, troubles, and eventual triumph of African Americans, and some complained, during the film's production and release, that Spielberg did not have a right to direct a film running so counter to his personal experience. But Spielberg's efforts and response, implied in the film, point to the universality of Celie's experience, and to the applicability of the novel to people from all walks of life, and of all gender and racial backgrounds.

The Color Purple

By alice walker, the color purple essay questions.

Why was this novel titled The Color Purple ?

Think about when purple is mentioned as a color and as an attribute of something worth admiring. Should all colors be admired equally, all being features of things created by God? Does rarity really make something more precious--purple seems rare in nature, but does this make other colors any more or less valuable? Consider the same question with regard to racial majorities and minorities in Africa and in the United States, which also are often distinguished by color.

Can you find Alice Walker as a character in the novel?

Examine the narrative structure employed by Walker. Remember that ultimately the choices in the narration are all really Walker's. Pay particular attention to the last line in the novel: "I thank everybody in this book for coming." Consider also how Walker might play the role of God in Celie's story, being the one who invests this creation with being and meaning.

How important is it that Nettie returns at the end of the novel?

Consider the ways that Nettie is important to Celie and for the whole narrative in terms of female solidarity, communication, and family struggles. Does the novel require a positive ending for it to be a positive story? Does Celie require such an ending to her own story? Is Nettie's return structurally significant in that once Nettie returns, the letter writing stops and so does the novel?

How do the male characters in the novel shape, break, or have other influence over the females?

A good way to approach such a question is to examine how the choices made by Celie and the other female characters might have been shaped by their experiences with the male characters in the novel. Consider their choices, thoughts, and feelings with regard to independence, family, entrepreneurship, and the other matters of value to the women. Note also that both positive and negative experiences with various men should be addressed.

Celie apparently prefers women to men in general, including sexually. In her case, her terrible treatment by men could be a critical factor. What could be going on in her mind?

There is not necessarily a relationship between Celie's social preferences and her sexual preferences, but there might be. Moreover, there may or may not be a link between her life experiences and her preferences. Use evidence from the text to try out a variety of possibilities to understand why Celie is the way she is. If she has different feelings about different men (likewise for different women), does this mean that we cannot even make a generalization about Celie's preferences? Do her views for or against men and women in general change over the course of the novel?

Sofia goes on quite a journey in the novel. How significant is it that Sofia ends up as a maid in a white family?

A good answer to this question will look deeply into Sofia's character. She is a fighter and seems more independent than Celie, but her journey is far less significant than that of Nettie. Consider also Sofia's relationships with her own family members as well as the portrayal of the white community in conjunction with the black community in Sofia's place and time.

What is the significance of the opening line?

Alfonso's words permeate Celie's life and her writing. Think about the narrative structure and why it is significant that we are reading letters written to God. Also consider the place of family and of males in Celie's life as well as the importance of communication with others.

What is the significance of Nettie's life in Africa?

Consider what themes characterize Nettie's life in Africa and why those themes might be important in Celie's life. Remember that what we know of Nettie's life in Africa is based on what Nettie thought she should communicate to Celie. In addition, Walker might be highlighting significant issues relating to the importance of Africa in black American history and culture.

Although Doris Baines only appears for a brief instant in the novel, she is an interesting and weighty character. What does she contribute to the novel?

This question provides an opportunity for a close reading of the section in which Doris appears. Important features here are her identity as an independent English woman who does not have traditional Christian views, her good work in Africa, her desire to leave her home life, her desire to travel, and her African grandson. More generally, consider how her character develops themes about race, gender, religion, and family in the novel.

Discuss the significance of the written versus the spoken word in this novel.

Consider which medium lasts longer, who the audience is or can be, the usual uses of letters versus conversation, the stylistic choices available in each medium, accuracy, spontaneity, and the role of direct versus indirect human interaction (such as voice inflection and gesture in the spoken word, and other kinds of emphasis and subtleties in the written word). Which characters or kinds of characters may make use of each medium, and for which purposes? How does storytelling in each medium function, particularly with regard to self-assertion and ownership over one's language as a proxy for ownership of one's story and one's life?

The Color Purple Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Color Purple is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

How are Shug and Nettie role models for Celie?

In the letter, Celie notes that she sees Nettie as a moral and intellectual role model, whereas, Shug serves as a sexual and emotional mentor. Both characters act as role models, though they do so in completely different ways.

How does Celie betray Sofia?

Celie betrays Sofia when she tells Harpo to beat her.

How does the author present female relationships?

At the start of the novel, the young, black female is presented as about the most vulnerable person in society. Celie epitomizes this female: she is abused and denied a voice by her (supposed) father and then by her husband. Along with the racial...

Study Guide for The Color Purple

The Color Purple is a book by Alice Walker. The Color Purple study guide contains a biography of Alice Walker, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Color Purple
• The Color Purple Summary
• Character List

Essays for The Color Purple

The Color Purple is an epistolary novel by Alice Walker. The Color Purple literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Color Purple by Alice Walker.

• The Color Purple: Literary Techniques Employed by Alice Walker to Develop Celie's Character
• Female Marginalisation Embodied in The Color Purple and The Yellow Wallpaper
• Edith Wharton, Alice Walker, and Female Culture
• Internalization and Externalization of Color in The Bluest Eye and The Color Purple
• Reconciliation Between Public and Private Spheres: Mrs. Dalloway and The Color Purple

Lesson Plan for The Color Purple

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Color Purple
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Color Purple Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for The Color Purple

• Introduction
• Critical reception
• Adaptations
• Boycotting Israel

Essay Service Examples Literature Books

The Color Purple essays

31 samples in this category

The Color Purple centers around difficult aspects of the life of a poor, black oppressed woman in the early twentieth century. Alice Walker, the author of this book, criticizes the way black women were treated in the early twentieth century by incorporating part of her own experiences from her life...

The Color Purple centers around difficult aspects of the life of a poor, black oppressed woman in the early twentieth century. Alice Walker, the author of this book, criticizes the way black women were treated in the early twentieth century by incorporating part of her own experiences from her life to display the social issue of sexism. Celie is a young, uneducated black girl living in Georgia in the early years of the twentieth century. She always writes her letters to God, because she feels that what happened to her is so terrible that she can only talk about it to someone she feels loves her.

Throughout Celie’s life, she has to grow up with her stepfather abusing her and ends up marrying someone who treats her just like every other man. The issue of sexism can be seen everywhere in this novel. For example, Albert’s son Harpo asks his dad why he beats Celie and he responds with,’ Cause she, my wife. Plus, she stubborn.’ And Celie seems used to the male power and never fights for herself. Later on in the novel, sexism develops from just an abuse standpoint to pointing out further how women do all of the housework stating, ‘ His daddy never wash dish in his life.’ giving off the view that men were too ‘high’ to do such a ‘lowly’ thing, so it was left up to the women. The idea of sexism is also demonstrated by Nettie’s letters to her sister. Nettie states that the world is no longer a world just for boys and men. But the villagers of Olinka do not believe girls should be educated. They think a girl is nothing to herself, only to her husband can she become something. ‘ This opened Celie’s eyes that she is not the only one or her society isn’t the only one that goes through this issue of sexism, this issue is a sort of worldwide problem. Eventually, Celie evolves into a mature woman with great confidence after realizing that she cannot see anything at all until she get men off her eyeball.

The theme of females pursuing freedom and achieveing self-expression is present throughout the novel. Celie and Nettie move from a role which is nearly slavery at the beginning to independence at the end. They both find the way to be themselves: Celie evolves into a mature and successful businesswoman with great confidence without men’s help Nettie married Samuel and found her role in society. What’s more, Sofia is finally given freedom to live as she chooses, while Mary Agnes develops her own career rather being tied to domesticity and male requirements. The novel emphasizes the idea that it is possible for every African-American woman to have the chance to live their own lives with the help of other women, and the mutual understanding and reconciliation between the male and female is also possible, leading to a restoration of equality and harmony and an end to misunderstanding, oppression, and violence.

Achieveing self-expression is present throughout the novel. Celie and Nettie move from a role which is nearly slavery at the beginning to independence at the end. They both find the way to be themselves: Celie evolves into a mature and successful businesswoman with great confidence without men’s help Nettie married Samuel and found her role in society. What’s more, Sofia is finally given freedom to live as she chooses, while Mary Agnes develops her own career rather being tied to domesticity and male requirements. The novel emphasizes the idea that it is possible for every African-American woman to have the chance to live their own lives with the help of other women, and the mutual understanding and reconciliation between the male and female is also possible, leading to a restoration of equality and harmony and an end to misunderstanding, oppression, and violence.

The Color Purple By Alice Walker: Feminist Criticism Approach

Alice walker’s depiction of the importance of friendship in the color purple, the color purple by alice walker: difficult and trifling aspects of the life of african american woman.

800+ verified writers can handle your paper.

The Color Purple' Literary Analysis Essay

The color purple' theme essay, the color purple' compare and contrast essay.

The Color Purple' Book Review Essay

The color purple' comparison essay, representation of women in the color purple and native son, black feminism overview: alice walker's the color purple, the color purple by alice walker: characters development, celie’s identity in alice walker’s the color purple, the color purple by alice walker: responding to a horrible situation but still thrive, underlying eurocentrism in alice walker’s works with particular reference to the colour purple, feminism and pop culture essay, representation of women in the colour purple and native son, purple hibiscus versus the colour purple: comparative analysis, feminism in ‘the color purple’ and ‘a room of ones own’: analytical essay, representation of women in the african american literature: native son and the colour purple, color purple' literary criticism essay, essay on racism in 'the color purple', essay on 'the color purple': sofia's analysis, critical response essay on 'the color purple', essay on 'the color purple' setting, character analysis essay for celie in 'the color purple', essay on the history of 'the color purple', essay on symbolism of 'the color purple', celie's transformation in 'the color purple' essay, essay on plot of 'the color purple', pop culture essay about a woman role in this world.

Top similar topics

Join our 150k of happy users

• Get original paper written according to your instructions
• Save time for what matters most

Fair Use Policy

EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected].

“The Color Purple” by Steven Spielberg: Movie Analysis Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

The film Color Purple has been adapted from the book of the same title written by Alice Walker. The film is plotted in a rural background and focuses mostly on the life of black females in the southern states of the US during the 1930s. The film Color Purple has frequently been subjected to censorship issues because of its explicit violent depictions. Celie is a young black girl and the main character in the film. She is not well educated which is evident from her letters to God, that are not well drafted, as also from her dialect that is rather raw and strong. Her letters reveal her struggles to resist the horrors in her life in clear indication of her immense strength as a young woman.

While Celie is about to cross over into adolescence she is repeatedly raped by her step father and has two children from him that are snatched away from her. She is eventually married off to a man named Albert and is soon made to cohabit with her husband’s mistress Shug. A sexual relationship develops between the two and Shug is instrumental in making Celie realize the hard facts of life and how to confront them with strength and courage. A sexual relationship develops between them and Celie discovers many exciting things about her body and about herself. She is much impressed with Shug and starts modelling her in becoming more and more independent as she adopts the views and opinions of Shug in viewing the world from different perspectives. She learns from Shug how to handle Albert and is much influenced by her in terms of her religious views.

In broadening her view on religion, Celie realizes that even if a person commits sins it is possible to remain in touch with God. Her strength and will power is evident from the fact that she is able to overcome and free herself from Albert’s bondage and to find loving relationship with Shug. Her sister Nettie also loves her although she is very young in understanding the horrible things that have been faced by Celie. She is seen on several occasions to be honest and open about her sufferings, only with God. The viewer can infer the strong instinct for survival that Celie has. In being born within a poor family, her mother being constantly ill and being victimized by the person whom she believes to be her father, Celie feels used and abused. Instead of complaining, she only wonders why all this happened to her and eventually develops a sense of worthlessness and low self esteem. Her reduced self worth is evident when she does not sign her letters written to God.

Celie eventually matures into a woman of powerful confidence but only after she has been misused to the core; her sister Nettie is separated from her and she is married to a cruel person who actually desired to marry Nettie. She is more of a slave to her husband until the time that Shug enters her life in being the mistress of her husband. With Shug’s support and guidance she becomes psychologically stronger. She also receives moral support from Sofia, her daughter-in-law, who encourages and teaches her how to face men and how to challenge and fight against injustice and prejudice. The film is interesting in watching how Celie learns how to communicate her independence. It is difficult for her to take action on the new concepts she learnt but she eventually gets fed up of the intense cruelty inflicted by her husband and is able to get away from her role as his slave. Celie is also able to gather immense strength and benefits from the enduring love she has for her sister. She loves her sister very much because she helped raising her two children. Celie is seen as a strong woman that learns to face challenges and to stand up for herself. She does not lose faith in God and is ultimately rewarded by being united with Nettie as also by surviving spiritually as well as physically in order to develop into a modern twentieth century woman.

The central focus of the film is seen as the mental and emotional rebirth of Celie. Although she is faced with extreme difficulties and violence in her early years as also after her marriage, she is able to create and stimulate feelings of sexual love and self love after she meets Shug. She develops friendship with Sofia who sets before her real examples of how to be courageous. The film depicts the power of these three women which is derived from the sense of caring they have for each other and the opportunities they get in continuing to develop, even in the face of the sexist and racist environment that prevails around them. It is a pleasure watching them crying, laughing and affirming with life together and sharing with each other’s happiness. They respect each other and live together in a manner that Celie could never have thought of until the time that her husband brought home Shug.

Celie is seen as the main character in conveying the dominating theme of the film which is of women coming together. She becomes the cause for the depicted unity in the film. It is an irony to see how the women view men as being careless and unimportant for their life. Women in the film are seen as being constantly suppressed and degraded by men in being used only for sexual pleasures.

List of References

Borysenko Joan, (1996). A Woman’s Book of Life: the Biology, Psychology and Spirituality of the Feminine Life Cycle, Riverhead Books.

Estees Pinkola Clarissa, (1997). Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype , Ballantine Books.

• Gyn-affection in Literature
• "The Color Purple": Oppression and Pain of an African American Woman
• Cultural Issues in Walker's “The Color Purple”
• Polanski, Coppola, and Baudelaire: Comparison of How They Imagined Their Cities
• “Blade Runner”: Movie Analysis
• War in “The Most Beautiful” and “Grave of Fireflies”
• Comparison of Religious Motifs in Hollywood Works
• Seven Samurai (1954) by Akira Kurosawa
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2021, November 29). “The Color Purple” by Steven Spielberg: Movie Analysis. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-color-purple-by-steven-spielberg-movie-analysis/

"“The Color Purple” by Steven Spielberg: Movie Analysis." IvyPanda , 29 Nov. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/the-color-purple-by-steven-spielberg-movie-analysis/.

IvyPanda . (2021) '“The Color Purple” by Steven Spielberg: Movie Analysis'. 29 November.

IvyPanda . 2021. "“The Color Purple” by Steven Spielberg: Movie Analysis." November 29, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-color-purple-by-steven-spielberg-movie-analysis/.

1. IvyPanda . "“The Color Purple” by Steven Spielberg: Movie Analysis." November 29, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-color-purple-by-steven-spielberg-movie-analysis/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "“The Color Purple” by Steven Spielberg: Movie Analysis." November 29, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-color-purple-by-steven-spielberg-movie-analysis/.

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

•  We're Hiring!
•  Help Center

The Color Purple

• Most Cited Papers
• Most Downloaded Papers
• Newest Papers
• Save to Library
• Last »
• Alice Walker Follow Following
• Angielski Follow Following
• Beloved by Toni Morrison Follow Following
• Womanism Follow Following
• Black Women's Studies Follow Following
• English Literature Follow Following
• Black feminism Follow Following
• Teacher Preparation Follow Following
• Minority Studies Follow Following
• Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning Follow Following

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• Academia.edu Publishing
•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024