The Color Purple

I'm currently taking Black Women Writers with Dr. Liggins. We just finished reading Alice Walker's The Color Purple, as well as watching Stephen Spielberg's film adaptation by the same name.

I found it very interesting to learn of all of the backlash against the novel. Apparently many black men were angry at the way that black men were being portrayed. In the beginning of the novel many of the men were abusive and controlling, but throughout the novel they undergo transformations that allowed them to respect women as well as themselves. The main character, Celie, also undergoes a transformation that allows her to love and respect herself, and brings her to stand up for herself.

I suppose I'm still trying to understand all of the hate for the novel. Some say that it is because the way that Mr. ____ , Old Mr. ____ , and Harpo treat women hits too close to home. You know, the whole, "methinks the lady doth protest too much" mentality. There's also the argument that blacks are frequently portrayed negatively in the media and The Color Purple was no different. Personally, I think the novel is about women and their experiences, with race just being one factor among many.

Victoria Rader Post 13