Sofia and Celie converse about the men in their lives and what they do when they get mad. Sofia shows her strong, instinctive reaction to men: 'You ought to bash Mr___________ head open, she say. think bout heaven later.' (how is this AAVE? - see below for answer).
Answer: (use of ellipsis - 'about' rather than 'bout)
Think about how Celie reacts to Shug's arrival; it is somewhat surprising:
1: There is no sense of jealousy at her husband being infatuated by Shug.
2: Celie is attracted to Shug and isn't afraid to admit it - as if this love is the most natural and honest thing in the world.
3: There is a shared attraction to Shug from both 'Albert' (as Shug calls her husband) and Celie. Strangely this almost becomes a point of understanding between them. Their attraction to the same woman unites them.
Page 52:
Note this interaction between Mr_________ and his father. Here we can see the patriarchal society at work - how the father tries to influence the son:
'she black as tar, she nappy headed. She got legs like baseball bats.'
It suggests that race is an important factor to the father, as if he is ashamed of his own cultural heritage.
'Next time he come I put a little Shug Avery pee in his glass. See how he like that'
'Harpo. I say, giving him a shake, Sofia love you. You love Sofia....
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.
What does the above quote suggest about Celie's views on marriage?
Page 66:
Sofia leaves Harpo, and he begins to fend for himself - he begins to realise that he can do things after all - like build a 'jukejoint' - it doesn't do very well until he invites Shug Avery to sing there.
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Historical facts:
'Jukejoints' were the forerunners of the jazz clubs and in a way, heralded the birth of rock and roll when musicians such as Robert Johnson were rumoured to have sold their soul to the devil in order to play the blues - music that eventually inspired the Rolling Stones in 1960. By then Robert Johnson was long dead - 1938 at the age of 27). So you can see how The Color Purple is an important historical document that charts the birth of early African American Culture.
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Epistolary style:
1:Note how she initially starts each letter with 'Dear God'- then becomes 'Dear Nettie' as she discovers her sister and children are alive.
2:Her style is confessional - she speaks her innermost thoughts to God.
3: She writes her letter phonetically and in AAVE - this gives us an idea of her character and lack of formal education.
4: Nettie's style connotes education - her grammar and spelling are indicative of having gone to school.
5: Celie begins addressing her letters to Nettie instead of God (after the talk with Shug about the Color Purple)
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Page 75:
Shug explains to Celie how she might still be considered a Virgin since she has never really experienced sex properly. As a result she doesn't really care whether Shug continues to see Albert - it is Shug she has feelings for.
Page 76: Sofia turns up with new boyfriend - Henry Broadnax.
Squeak and Sofia might be considered to be two different approaches as to how to behave as a black woman in early 20th century Georgia. How do their approaches differ? (why is she called Squeak?)
Miss Millie
Miss Millie is a white woman who regards herself as benevolent and caring because she raises money for charity and is involved in philanthropic projects. However, she cannot understand how Sofia would be offended by suggestng she is unemployed and would be honoured to be her maid; Sofia's reaction is 'hell no!' which results in a slap from the Mayor and her punching him to the floor. Miss Millie's inherent racism and bigotry ultimately causes Sofia to be placed in jail.
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Page 90:
Squeak is raped trying to visit Sofia, but a change occurs as a result.
Why do you think she demands to be called Mary Agnes afterwards?
Page 93:
Sofia Comes out of jail after three years.
Page 96:
Sofia ends up working for Miss Millie - ironic after her refusing to work for her as a maid was what got her into trouble in the first place; as if the power of the white man will always get its way.
'He say, Don't say slaving, Mama.
Sofia say, Why not? They got me in a little storeroom...They won't let me see my children. They won't let me see no mens...what would you call it?'
Page 99:
Shug turns up with new husband - Grady
Page 103:
Shug and Celie rekindle their relationship.
