4) How do gender roles, racial discrimination, and other social norms seem to be changing throughout the years the novel covers? Shug is shocked for Celie when she describes the sexual encounters that she has had, all of which were unenjoyable and horrible. Rather, this act further emphasises the sexist attitudes of 1930s America where women are undervalued and treated without equal respect or consideration because of their gender. Through this, Celie is able to maintain hope to discover ways to find belief and goodness and be spiritually fulfilled. Examples from the text: Page 23- Harpo ast his daddy why he beat me. Throughout the novel, Walker wishes to emphasise that gender and sexuality are not as simple as we may believe. Celie is less educated than her sister and it shows in the way she speaks and the incorrect or phonetic English that she uses in her letters. 1. However, as the story process she has a slight change of heart as sees Shug as evil. The fact that Harpo is questioning why his father was beating his stepmother shows his naivety and curiosity of the interactions between married people. Celies lack of education also reflects upon her identity and shows how her education is limited due to the obsessive and controlling nature of the male characters in the book, specifically Alfonso and Mr. ___. Mr - continuously hides the letters Celie is receiving from Nettie which forces Celie to believe that Nettie is dead. Celie went from being raped and beaten by her father to another terrifying sexual relationship with Albert. The men (Harpo in particular) are incredibly surprised when the women exert their newfound independence. 4. Discuss how the following examples convey this theme try to focus primarily on Celie for this activity. Thus, the novels narrative structure has everything to do with the novels main thematic motifs of gaining an identity, of rebirth, of survival. Discuss the key moments in the novel that define Celies growth and development. Although Shug is as glamorous and beautiful as a movie star, Celie's calm life seems desirable to her. 1. First, because of the new realisation she gains about herself worth thanks to Shug and secondly, the fact that he had been hoarding Netties letters. What does this reveal about Celies relationships with women in her past? In actual fact, she was resilient (constantly surviving abuse and the grief of supposedly losing her sister and her children) and resourceful (keeping her and her sister alive and eventually making a living off designing and creating/sewing pants for a living. Pages 182-3- Celie, Shug and Squeak leave. Celie is oppressed emotionally because she is deprived of love and support from anyone. In what ways does language capture a particular experience? The Color Purple Themes and Analysis | Book Analysis Look at you . Voe 8. Discuss how the following examples convey this theme try to focus primarily on Celie for this activity. Abstract assertions that Celie believes include the idea that women cannot be independent or stand up to domineering men. She was able to trust Shug and reveal dark times without receiving judgement or abuse. This bond is highlighted as leaving together, emphasises the strength they have built together to stand up for their rights and self-worth in society. 1. How do Celie and Shug get the rest of Nettie's letters without Albert's realizing they have them? The Color Purple STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS These can be concrete (Celies impression that Pa is too poor to provide properly for her, and the later realization that he had more resources than he ever lets on) or abstract (the assertion that Celie is unintelligent, though she demonstrates constant intelligence in planning for her safety and that of her sister). Shugs improved disposition does not change the disdainful way she treats Mr. _____, whose first name, we learn from Shug, is Albert. By the end of the novel, Celie has not only gained the financial means to reject oppression especially evident when she inherits her mothers estate. The Color Purple Letter 89 Summary & Analysis 1. Celie begins to read Netties letters. Celie keeps much of her past life to herself, she used her journal as a way to vent her issues. Final question: How does Celie challenge the traditional gender roles of the time? Themes The Color Purple Essay 3. The following conversation ensues. THE POWER OF STRONG FEMALE RELATIONSHIPS 2. Feeling further betrayed but knowing it immoral to violently act against Mister, Celie invests her energy into making pants. Discuss the way confusion and deception become powerful tools for those characters who want to take advantage of Celie. He does this by confusing her of who she truly is and manipulates her to believe she is nothing , however , she becomes confused in this time and questions If she really is ugly or if she really isnt a good partner. Shug leaving Celie being able to live on her own and be independent from a woman who Celie is quite emotionally dependent on For the first time in a long time, Celie is able to confide in another person her true feelings and past. What does it take for Celie to finally reach her boiling point and reject oppression? She is seen as a sex object to please Mr and give him satisfaction. It is later revealed that in her past Celie had always admired and looked up to Shug. Discuss the way confusion and deception become powerful tools for those characters who want to take advantage of Celie. Making her a somewhat slave to men as she feels she cannot say no because knows no different. How are language and identity linked? Celie had been conditioned to believe that women had to be submissive and obedient, to men, and only men. Explain how Celie is oppressed in each of these ways. Celie reconciling with Albert accepting the role Albert played and a reflection of her own personal development. The yard hasn't been taken care of, and the house is obviously falling apart. At this point Celie stood up for herself and let her become independent in her life choices. WebCelie is able to forgive Albert after she realizes that she no longer hates him because of the love they both share for Shug. Color Purple Final Review Flashcards | Quizlet Celie always looked up to Shug as she was a wonderful blues singer and someone which she admired, however when she saw how her and Albert acted together , she became confused and upset about the way they acted together. The only way for her to free herself is to believe, trust and stand up for herself. Celies transformation from a pain-ridden abused, and tortured black woman is remarkable. Color Purple A3-A5 Comp 1. celies father refuses to let nettie marry mr, but says he can marry celie. It is only towards the end of the book - when Celie's relationship with him improves - that we discover his name. 1. The Color Purple, a novel written by Alice Walker, is based on the abused black woman from Georgia named Celie. Sexual- she is used by Mr._______ as an object to please him sexually, for her it is never a two-way street, Mr.______ takes, takes, takes yet never gives anything in return. c) The literature. 14. 1. They were slaves to their husbands. The Color Purple Albert was struggling with stress and anger through most of his life and unfortunately, takes it out on Celie. Albert becomes a changed and better man and asks Celie for forgiveness, and they both become friends, although Celie refuses to stay married to him. Complete the following focus questions: 1. Netties Death Albert hiding the letters and leading Celie to believe that Nettie was wrong (1) Language can be used to capture a particular experience depending on how it is written; the emotive language used, the descriptive words used, the tense used and the way the experience is written e.g. This is directly linked to the person she is and who she has been made to be by the men in her life, not giving her the chance to educate herself and always suppressing her individuality. Walker uses this contrast between Celie and Netties grammar and level of education to convey Celies predicament and her status in her home. Discuss how each of these examples from the text display the power of strong female relationships in Celies life. Celie struggles with her self-identity and only begins to break through her shell and her disadvantage when Shug convinces her that she has the ability to do so. Webhe got a lot of feeling behind his face" (Walker 280). 5. Albert/Mr This highlights sexism throughout the generations and the inequality of women during this time. Celie is repeatedly raped by her father and then subjected to sex with her husband even though she doesnt want it. How has Walker used language to convey meaning in the text? Having her own home/ her Pas death financial means to secure herself Celie does not understand sex of course she has had sex, but it has never once been an enjoyable experience for her. Who you think you is? Pages 9-10 Celie is given away The Describe who Shug Avery is. it explains how scared she was when her Pa first engaged in sexual actions with her. Celie comes to her rescue herself, with the help of other women, not the noble man. Discuss. Where was The Color Purple filmed? - Giggster The Power of Narrative and Voice 4. Themes Education level? Its time to leave you and enter into the Creation. Question 1: TheBestNotes How has Walker used language to convey meaning in the text? After Mr. _____ and Grady go off in the car together, Shug asks to stay warm in Celies bed with her. Is it a reflection of geography (including rural versus urban areas)? Who comes home in the end? Shug Avery. WebWhen Celie sees Shug unclothed for the first time, she confesses that she feels a sexual attraction. Although never physically strong enough, Celie is able to redefine her attitude and mindset regarding womanly independence which leads her to finding realistic ways to escape and lead a freer and more quality life. Unravel the layers of lies that are told to her throughout the novel, perhaps making lists that compare the fiction she is expected to believe with the truth about her world. Find examples from the text (in relation to Celie) to support this theme. When she feels deserted by God, she places her faith WebSecretly, Celie spits into the man's glass of water and tells God that "This is the closest us [she and Albert] ever felt." This means that she does not have to rely on others for her survival or her wants and needs. Celie struggles to deal with the abuse, and remarks the unfairness she is subjected to when Harpo goes on to ask why she is stubborn, intimating that it is her fault that her husband beats her. The simple act of changing grammar and vocabulary demonstrates the power of language and its ability to reinforce feelings and emotions. 2. WebMr. How are language and identity linked? Walked has captured the accent of Americas South while her dimple dialogue is easy to understand. Peer groups? The Color Purple WebThe Color Purple is an epistolary novel by Alice Walker. The Cyclical Nature of Racism and Sexism Sexual: she is almost used as a prisoner, she is basically raped. WebThat Celie is able to forgive Albert by the end of the story and take him in as a helper reflects Walkers insistence on the redeeming quality of the human heart. 1. She changes her life and saves herself without the aid of a man. With Shug Averys help; Celie is able to realise that she is a person and that she has the capability to be more than the men in her life think she can. No connection was present therefore Celie hadnt truly felt any type of sexual relationship as Mr - would use her for his own pleasure. When Celie sees Shugs photo for the first time. By this point Celie had been gradually getting increasingly mad at Mr. ___. Later in the novel Celie discovers that her pa owned many things such as a store and a house when he died and left it to both Nettie and herself. Celie comes to visit Sofia and Harpo when Pages 182-3- Celie, Shug and Squeak leave. 1. The language of the text displays a lot about the individual and in this case celie . But through her experiences, she learns that women deserve respect, and happiness, they should be equal to men. The Power of Strong Female Relationships he laugh. Example 1. She does write to God but these writings are more like diary entries addressed to Dear God instead of Dear Diary. On page (sorry I dont have my book!!!!!) This example how much pressure and how normal it was to beat the women during this period of time. Celie always admired Shug but comes to idolise her independence and the sway of power Shug has over Mister. this example displays the relationship between Celie and Shug and the feeling of safety and being comfortable with each other. Stating that throughout her life she seems to have chosen her own path, sleeping with whoever she wants and pleasing herself in her lifestyle. Discuss this with reference to Celie. The Cyclical Nature of Racism and Sexism The Power of Strong Female Relationships 2. Giving away these women passes sexism down generations and gives the younger generation the idea that women are inferior to men. This showed a lot of strength and courage something the reader had not seen in Celie before. Peer groups? Why does Celie call Albert Mr.? The above example convey a significant amount of sexism. Celies initial reaction is to pull Shug into her house and tell her that Celie is going to make you will. (Page 44). 6. She must keep them bottled up and play and act the way her father and Mr. ___ want her to be like. Celie is the nexus of alloppressions sexual, physical, social, economic,(7, 120) a critic writes; we can only add emotional, spiritual oppression as well. Shug believes that Celie is still a virgin as she hasnt experience a proper sexual relationship with the pleasure she deserves. WebStudy with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Who is the author of The Color Purple, When does The Color Purple take place?, Who is the protagonist in this novel? WebBy the end of the story, Celie is completely able to forgive Albert for the years of abuse he put her through and finally sees that he has changed for the better. Certainly, Celie could masturbate and bring pleasure to herself, but for the present, she cannot. The Color Purple Film Discuss the way confusion and deception become powerful tools for those characters who want to take advantage of Celie. She works as hard as any man to help her family and she does her best to be unemotional on the outside, putting up a vale of strength and invincibility. 1. In Celies first letter to God, she asks for a sign to let her know what is happening to her. Shug is horrified for Celie when she describes the sexual encounters that she has had in her life, all of them unenjoyable and horrible. 3. Celie has found someone who will listen. WebShug is the only person who Celie loves, besides Nettie. They seem to be in denial that they have ever treated the women wrong and are oblivious to the fact that these women need emotional support and not their money. She breaks away from her husband and becomes a business woman, she does not go with what society expects from her. Examples from the text: Page 23- Harpo ast his daddy why he beat me. WebShug, remember, is still sleeping with Albert. FYR+|f{\]o6JvZ_mY=qujPQ0]cBvE>0C"R 2. Purple by Alice Walker: Redemption of Mr Men have no regard for women. _____ (Albert) Character Analysis. Question 1 Discuss the way confusion and deception become powerful tools for those characters who want to take advantage of Celie. The first true realisation is when Shug Avery comes into her life and demonstrates to Celie that her life doesnt have to be this way . The only time she ever truly experiences any type of positive sexual encounter is with Shug. Since he liked Nettie, it still bothers Celie because she after all is still his wife and feels that there wasnt a good enough reason for him to keep something like this from her. Celie didnt let the constant cycle of abusive relationships and stereotype role get in the way of her changing her life. When this occurs it shows Celies ability to stand up for herself and become independent. At this the women laugh and show the men the power of female relationships. 1. The end of the novel where she finally is able to have a conversation with Mr___ shows how far she has come from a battered housewife to an independent woman.