The Color Purple Themes

Questions and Answers

What does 'ITSTBL, TLTBS...IGU, TOAH' represent in Celie's identity?

It too short to be long, too long to be short...I give up, tie on a headrag.

What does 'MMMTTCOHC.IMMBMDMM' signify in Celie's relationship with Mr.?

Mr marry me to take care of his children. I marry Mr because my daddy made me.

What does 'WILC.YHTLEKWGTUH' indicate about marriage and gender conflicts?

Wives is like children. You have to let 'em know who got the upper hand.

What does 'BICLYHC.SOTMF.SST' illustrate about Marriage and Family?

But I can let you have Celie. She ought to marry first. She spoiled twice. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'SHBHAC, OHRTSHHTDI' express regarding Ethnicity and Marriages?

So he bought her a car, only he refuse to show her how to drive it. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ATPLITCCTWTHAAAORF.IATWWLTC' reveal about marriages in Olinka?

All the people left in the compound came to wish them happiness and an abundance of roofleaf forever. Immediately after the wedding we left the compound. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'STEFT.TLMGH, SSTM' indicate about women's struggles?

She too evil for that. Turn loose my goddam hand, she say to Mr. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'SGLLBB' suggest about men's perceptions of women?

She got legs like baseball bats. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'IDLSIOMW' illustrate about women defending one another?

Mr don't say nothing. I drop little spit in old Mr water. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'IANPCSC' mean regarding unity among women?

It's a nice pattern call Sister's Choice. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'MDATC.HAG.MASC, T, CTH, T, FUTT' say about gender roles?

Mr drink all through Christmas. Him and Grady. Me and Shug cook, talk, clean the house, talk, fix up the tree. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'HHHDIHA' indicate about the bond between fathers and children?

Harpo holding his daddy in his arms. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ISGTI.HTI' convey about the power of fathers?

I say God took it. He took it. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'SUH, SM, UTTT' mean about fatherly control?

Shut up Harpo, say Mr, us trying to think. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'IDKNOMOWETS' reveal about education?

I don't know no other man or what else to say. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'SSU.MNMA, SS' signify about the strength of women?

She stand up. My name Mary Agnes, she say. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'NYW.NFBFKN.TFSIA' emphasize regarding violence?

Naw you won't. Nobody feel better for killing nothing. They feels something is all. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'SIGSWIS.SMDCU' express about women's resilience?

Spose I git sick while I'm singing. Spose my dress come undone? Signup and view all the answers

What does 'BTWPTKC.SUH' reflect about the cyclical nature of violence?

Blow the whole prison to Kingdom come. Shut up Harpo. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Identity is Imperfect' signify?

It too short to be long, too long to be short. Too nappy to be kinky, too kinky to be nappy. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Can't change identity - Letter 70' suggest?

Stretch marks go right into the skin, and a woman's stomach stretches enough so that it keeps a little pot. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Can't change physical identity - Letter 81 (Olinka)' indicate?

Carving their identification as a people into their children's faces. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Can change inner identity - Celie's identity being around pleasing others and being oppressed' express?

I have always been a good girl. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Can change inner identity - Celie - Letter 89' imply?

If she come, I be happy. If she don't, I be content. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Duty of marriage - Mr.and Celie - Sexual relationship' reveal?

Just do his business, get off, go to sleep. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Duty of marriage - Mr.and Celie' demonstrate?

Mr marry me to take care of his children. I marry Mr because my daddy made me. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Marriages are for public display/show' signify?

So he bought her a car, only he refuse to show her how to drive it. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Olinka marriages are for love and not public display; juxtapose that of white people' suggest?

All the people in the compound came to wish them...immediately after the wedding...riding in a lorry. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Marriages restrict women - Doris' convey?

Besides, she wanted to write books. Her family were against it. Totally. They hoped she'd marry. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Marriages restrict women - Celie' indicate?

Wives is like children...nothing can do that better than a good sound beating. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Women have the power to escape their dire situation - Letter 49' illustrate?

I'm sure Albert still the only one to take mail out of the box. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Women have the power to escape their dire situation - Letter 74' suggest?

You a lowdown dog is what's wrong. It's time to leave you and enter into the creation. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Women defend and empower each other - Letter 27' reveal?

She got legs like baseball bats. I drop little spit in old Mr water. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Women defend and empower each other - Letter 28' indicate?

It a nice pattern call 'Sister's Choice'. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Gender inequalities - Mr + Grady/Shug and Celie' show?

Mr drink all through Christmas. Him and Grady. Me and Shug cook, talk, clean the house. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'IJAS, AWWFCHOIAJAN' suggest about gender inequalities?

It just a scandless, a woman with five children hanging out in a jukejoint at night. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'MDSN.IDLSIOMW' indicate about the strong bond between fathers and children?

Mr don't say nothing. I drop little spit in old Mr water. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'HHHDIHA' reflect regarding the strong bond between fathers and children?

Harpo holding his daddy in his arms. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ISGTI.HTI' suggest about fathers' control over children?

I say God took it. He took it. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'SUH, SM, UTTT' indicate about fathers' control over children?

Shut up Harpo, say Mr, us trying to think. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'WILC.NCDTBTAGSB' express about the impact of fathers on society?

Wives is like children. Nothing can do that better than a good sound beating. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'IWHTDWIS, LYDFP' suggest about societal expectations?

I want her to do what I say, like you do for Pa. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'WILC...NCDTBTAGSB' signify regarding the futility of violence?

Wives is like children...nothing can do that better than a good sound beating. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'SSU.MNMA, SS' reveal about the futility of violence?

She stand up. My name Mary Agnes, she say. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'NYW.NFBFKN' demonstrate about women's resilience?

Naw you won't. Nobody feel better for killing nothing. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'SIGSWIS.SMDCU' express regarding women's strategies?

Spose I git sick while I'm singing. Spose my dress come undone? Signup and view all the answers

What does 'BTWPTKC.SUH' imply about the cyclical nature of violence?

Blow the whole prison to kingdom come. Shut up Harpo. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'TFLTM' suggest about violence?

They fighting like two mens. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ISG.IDKNOMOWETS' emphasize about the importance of education?

I say God's. I don't know no other man or what else to say. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'SROATMSMNMWHH' indicate about education's role in gaining freedom?

Addie Beasley: 'She run off at the mouth so much no man would have her'. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'TFTIGBPTMOOS' express concerning gender inequalities in education?

The first time I git big Pa took me out of school. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'TLCPAHWDWCPTL' indicate about educational disparities?

They're like white people at home who don't want colored people to learn. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'HWHNMTTHITF, HEAHOK' reveal about limitations in education?

He will have nothing more to teach him in this field, having exhausted all his own knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'OMLTTHEALWSCFI.HOWMASO' suggest about practical education?

Olivia must learn to take her education about life where she can find it. His offer will make a splendid opportunity. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'IYSATSY, MYSOACFWAL' illustrate about repression?

If you say anything they strip you, make you sleep on a cement floor without a light. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'STCIDBF, UTMAC' indicate about resistance?

So the carving is done by force, under the most appalling conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'BSKO.YGTF.YGTF.BIDKHTF.AIKHTDISA' reveal about resistance?

But she keep on. You got to fight. You got to fight. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'YGTFTC.ICDIFY.YGTFTFY' suggest about self-reliance in resistance?

You got to fight them Celie. I can't do it for you. You got to fight them for yourself. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'YALDIWW.ITTLYAEITC' indicate about taking responsibility for one's actions?

You a lowdown dog is what's wrong. It's time to leave you and enter into the creation. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ICMEBAMWHST.S.SGTSUFS' reveal about female friendships?

I cut my eyes back at Mr. when he say that. Streetcleaner. Someone got to stand up for Shug. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Y, BCG.SIGSWIS.SMDCU?' convey about using gender roles for empowerment?

Yeah, but Celie going. Spose I git sick while I'm singing. Spose my dress come undone? Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Y, SM.BWGBMGDN?' indicate about empathy in friendships?

Yeah, she mad. But what good being mad gonna do now? She not evil, she know Sofia life hard to bear right now. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'GOS, SS, ILATOTYCB' reveal about the kindness in female friendships?

Go on sing, say Sofia, I'll look after this one till you come back. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'SAOSTIMHAEOHLSSWT' suggest about empowering and educating each other?

She and Olivia secret themselves in my hut and everything Olivia has learned she shares with Tashi. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'TAUBSSTMTWO.SIC, BQATT' express about educational impact on friendships?

They are upset because she spends too much time with Olivia. She is changing, becoming quiet and too thoughtful. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'YGDWYMW' illustrate about sexuality inequalities?

You gonna do what your mammy wouldn't. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'MCOTOM, DHB, ITMUBS' indicate about sexual relationships?

Mr clam on top of me, do his business, in ten minutes us both sleep. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'FTIGSOSA...ITIHTIAM' reveal about Celie's struggle with her sexuality?

First time I got sight of Shug Avery...I thought I had turned into a man. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'BTTWISTB.IKT.BITS, WMHHMS?' express about Celie's emotional conflict?

But that the way it spose to be. I know that. But if that so, why my heart hurt me so? Signup and view all the answers

What does 'HDHH.HASBL' indicate about the nature of attraction?

He duck his head. He ain't so bad looking. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'MLAMRT.HNSABLM, YK, WYCRDTI' signify about emotional trust in attraction?

Mr look at me real thoughtful. He not such a bad looking man, you know, when you come right down to it. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ISMBG.IKIWH' reveal about familial bonds?

I seen my baby girl. I knowed it was her. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'HCTA.TACMI, STC' indicate about sisterhood?

Here come the Amazons. They all come marching in, shaking the Church. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'BS, HMAFNMW' illustrate about family expectations?

Bible say, Honor mother and father no matter what. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'IHABAGG' convey about exploitation in family bonds?

I have always been a good girl. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'NWBTFOJAUPABFROHAMH' indicate about diversity in families?

Next week be the fourth of July and us plan a big family reunion outdoors here at my house. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ESPTM.TSAHSTHEOATO' reveal about the unity of families?

Everybody say Pleased to meetcha. Then Shug and Albert start to hug everyone one after the other. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'THTS, C, WT!AIEIWSBTEPT' signify about race?

They have the strongest, cleanest, whitest teeth!...And in England I was struck by the English people's teeth. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'TANAMLPAA, OBDLMW' illustrate about perceptions of people?

They are not all mean like Pa and Albert, or beaten down like Ma was. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Futility of black oppression; Celie's family' indicate?

And so, one night, the man's store was burned down, his smithy destroyed, and the man and his two brothers dragged out of their homes in the middle of the night and hanged. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Futility of black oppression: Sofia in prison' indicate?

Say she laugh at the fool she make of the guards. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Colourism; Mary Agnes' song and her question to Harpo' reveal?

Harpo, do you really love me or just my color? But if yellow is a name why ain't black the same. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Black people are brutally oppressed - everything they have is taken away from them - Miss Millie employing Sofia' indicate?

All your children so clean, would you like to work for me, by my maid? Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Black people are brutally and relentlessly oppressed: Miss Millie allowing Sofia to see her children' convey?

I spent fifteen minutes with my children. White folks is a miracle of affliction. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Oppression; black people have power, they just don't realise it - clever plan to free Sofia from prison' suggest?

Say she laugh at the fool she make of the guards. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Oppression; black people have power they just don't realise it; cowardly way in which Celie's family are murdered' highlight?

What does 'White people put themselves above black people in order to suppress them; establish themselves as a 'better' race' indicate?

Olinka: 'They want to work for the white people in order to have these things' and 'And then there are the youngsters who want bicycles and British clothes'. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Christian God holds people back' suggest?

I say God's and 'I say God took it'. Feel like snakes. I pray for strength, bite the insides of my cheeks. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Celie's religious attitudes are changed by Shug - and this enables her to stand up to Mr.' reveal?

There's a lot of other things I can do that I speck God likes. I can lay back and just admire stuff. Every lick you hit me you will suffer twice. Everything you even dream about will fail...and it seem to come to me from the trees. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Religious attitudes are malleable and adaptable: Examples' imply?

Celie trapped by God at the beginning. Celie and Shug's religious debate. Nettie's discussion of the Olinka God. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Identity and Self-Perception

Celie's identity evolves throughout the narrative, reflected in her struggle with self-worth and appearance.
Themes of identity illustrate the complexity of self-acceptance, with Celie recognizing her physical attributes juxtaposed against societal expectations.

Marriage Dynamics

Celie’s marriage is transactional, primarily for domestic duties rather than love; this highlights gender roles within relationships.
The institution of marriage often restricts women, as shown in examples where marriage is seen as a means of control rather than companionship.

Gender and Power Relations

Gender conflicts manifest in the perception of wives as subordinate to husbands, likening them to children needing direction.
Male characters demonstrate a preoccupation with dominance, while women navigate oppressive dynamics and often find empowerment in each other.

Violence and Its Cycle

Violence is illustrated as a recurring issue within relationships, portraying its futility and the psychological impact on individuals.
Characters understand that resorting to violence generates pain without solving underlying problems, reinforcing the theme of cyclical violence.

Female Empowerment and Friendship

Female bonds provide strength and unity in resisting patriarchal oppression, showcasing the importance of solidarity among women.
Empowerment arises through shared experiences, and women support one another by providing emotional strength and encouragement.

Education and Freedom

Education is portrayed as a pathway to liberation; lack of access to education limits personal growth and self-advocacy.
Societal resistance against female education reflects broader themes of oppression, emphasizing the need for self-empowerment through learning.

The narrative addresses the complexities of race and oppression within society, depicting the brutal realities faced by Black individuals.
Character interactions highlight the intersections of race, colorism, and privilege, revealing how societal structures perpetuate inequality.

Spirituality and Religious Beliefs

Celie's journey involves a transformation of her religious beliefs, influenced by her relationships, especially with Shug.
There is a reflection on the role religion plays in oppression, as well as the potential for spirituality to offer comfort and pathways to resilience.

Family Dynamics

Family relationships are explored in depth, revealing both the bonding aspects and the burdens they impose.
The significance of chosen families is prominent, showcasing the diversity of familial structures beyond traditional norms.

Societal Expectations and Personal Choices

Characters struggle against societal expectations, particularly regarding gender roles and personal autonomy.
The narrative emphasizes the importance of self-determination and the rejection of imposed identities, particularly for women seeking to assert their individuality.

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Description

Explore the intricate themes of identity, marriage dynamics, and gender relations in 'The Color Purple'. This quiz delves into how Celie's journey reflects self-perception and the impact of societal expectations, along with the oppressive nature of gender roles. Understand the nuances of violence and empowerment as depicted in the novel.