Analyse The Color Purple – Alice Walker
Direct or explicit characterization
1. “I think this the youngest us ever felt.” (page 261).
Everything ended alright and Celie met her sister, Nettie, again. Although they grew up, this
is the youngest they have every felt.
2. “Sofia look half her size. But she still a big strong girl. Arms got muscle. Legs, too. She swing
that baby around like it’s nothing. She got a little pot on her now and give you the feeling she
all there. Solid. Like if she sit down on something it be mash.” (page 33)
I think it’s pretty obvious what this sentence is saying. Although Sofia is not that all, she
appears as a strong woman. I think this also refers to her mental state. She is a physically and
mentally strong woman.
3. “I don’t even look at mens. That’s the truth. I look at women, tho, cause I’m not scared of
them.” (page 7)
Celie’s father got mad at her for winking at a boy, but she didn’t wink, there was just
something in her eye. This sentence is what she writes in her letter to God. Her father’s
abuse made her scared of men. Celie has a strong connection to the women in her family,
her mother and her sister, and to Shug Avery. She admits she’s scared of men, but not of
women.
4. “I’m so lonely, Celie.” (page 117)
Nettie writes to Celie, knowing Mr--- (his real name is Albert) won’t let her read them. Nettie
feels like she has nobody and writing to Celie is her only way out.
5. “Mr---- marry me to take care of his children. I marry him cause my daddy made me. I don’t
love Mr---- and he don’t love me.” (page 61)"
Celie makes it very clear to Harpo that the relationship between her and Mr---- isn’t like his
relationship with Sofia.
Direct or explicit characterization
1. “I think this the youngest us ever felt.” (page 261).
Everything ended alright and Celie met her sister, Nettie, again. Although they grew up, this
is the youngest they have every felt.
2. “Sofia look half her size. But she still a big strong girl. Arms got muscle. Legs, too. She swing
that baby around like it’s nothing. She got a little pot on her now and give you the feeling she
all there. Solid. Like if she sit down on something it be mash.” (page 33)
I think it’s pretty obvious what this sentence is saying. Although Sofia is not that all, she
appears as a strong woman. I think this also refers to her mental state. She is a physically and
mentally strong woman.
3. “I don’t even look at mens. That’s the truth. I look at women, tho, cause I’m not scared of
them.” (page 7)
Celie’s father got mad at her for winking at a boy, but she didn’t wink, there was just
something in her eye. This sentence is what she writes in her letter to God. Her father’s
abuse made her scared of men. Celie has a strong connection to the women in her family,
her mother and her sister, and to Shug Avery. She admits she’s scared of men, but not of
women.
4. “I’m so lonely, Celie.” (page 117)
Nettie writes to Celie, knowing Mr--- (his real name is Albert) won’t let her read them. Nettie
feels like she has nobody and writing to Celie is her only way out.
5. “Mr---- marry me to take care of his children. I marry him cause my daddy made me. I don’t
love Mr---- and he don’t love me.” (page 61)"
Celie makes it very clear to Harpo that the relationship between her and Mr---- isn’t like his
relationship with Sofia.
