African American Annotation
Title:
The Color Purple
Author:
Alice Walker
Publication Date:
1982
Setting:
Rural Georgia; Western Africa in a small village
Time Period:
Early 20th Century
Genre:
African American
Summary:
Celia is a black, poor and uneducated fourteen year old girl living in
rural Georgia. She starts writing
letters to God because her father Alphonso rapes and beats her. She is also tasked with cooking and cleaning
for her brothers and sisters. She is pregnant
(again) and her mother is dying. The
first one was taken away and thought to be dead. Once her mother is dead, her father continues
to abuse her. He takes the second child
away and then starts focusing his attention on her younger sister Nettie. Alphonso remarries. Celia marries a widower who mistreats
her. Nettie runs away from her father’s
house to Celia’s and her husband (“Mr.”) who originally wanted to marry her but
got Celia instead tries to initiate an encounter and she runs away. Celia thought she was dead. “Mr” has a mistress, Shug Avery who is a lounge
singer and Celia is fascinated with the picture she found of her. “Mr”’s oldest child, Harpo married an
outspoken and defiant Sofia who is also pregnant. Celia admires her spirit and “Mr” tells his
son to treat her like he treated Celia which results in Harpo getting beat
up! Shug is suddenly ill and Mr. takes
her into the house and has Celia take care of her. They ended up being friends and lovers. Sofia moves out with her children because of
Harpo attempts to subordinate her. He
opens a juke joint where Shug sings nightly.
Sofia ends up being the mayor’s wife maid for twelve years because she
told him she wouldn’t be her maid and the white mayor slapped Sofia who
consequently slapped him back. Shug asks
Celia’s about her sister, Nettie and Celia tells her she thinks she is dead
because she promised to write but never did.
They discover letters from Nettie that Mr. has hidden over the
years. She is in Africa with a missionary
couple named Samuel and Corrine who have adopted two children, Olivia and
Adam. It’s discovered that those two
children are Celia’s and Alphonso is there step-father. After confronting Mr., Shug and Celia move to
Tennessee. Sofia comes home also. Celia has a business there sewing and
designing pants. Celia returns to
Georgia for a visit, and Mr. is a better person. The step father has died and
the house and land is Celia’s now. She
moves in there. She reconciles with “Mr”
and her sister comes back to America with Celia’s children.
Subject Headings:
Domestic Fiction; African American women-Fiction; Sisters-Fiction
Appeal:
This book appeals to anyone that who has been either witnessed or been
the victim of abuse (mentally, physically or sexually). This book is proof of the resilience of the
human spirit.
Tone:
Bittersweet; bleak; and moving
Writing Style:
dialect filled; stylistically complex
3 Terms that best describe this book:
Sisterhood, Painful, and Hopefulness
Storyline: Character-driven
Read-a-likes:
Ruby by Cynthia Bond, Bastard out of Carolina by Dorthy
Allison, Silver Sparrow by
Tayari Jones, Other Voices, Other Rooms by Truman Capote
Great job! You've got a detailed summary that really explains the plot well. Sadly, I've only ever seen the movie.
ReplyDeleteWonderful annotation! You summarized a complex plot very well. Full points!
ReplyDeleteWow! I had no idea what this book was about but had heard about it. Now I may have to read it!
ReplyDelete