The Color Purple By Alice Walker

Set during the early 20th century in the rural south, the novel, The Color Purple by Alice Walker, portrays the life of a poor African American woman named Celie. Since being published in 1982, this novel was won both the Pulitzer Prize and the American Book Award for Fiction, but is also considered highly controversial because of the references to sexual abuse and female empowerment. Throughout the book, the reader learns from the unexpected events that accumulate Celie’s journey to self-awareness. The lessons that she learns along this journey demonstrate a shift from corrupt views of women, religion and sexuality to common understanding and acceptance of all mankind. This powerful story helps the reader come to the realization of the truth
As previously mentioned, the theme of this novel is fact that an individual’s future does not have to be confined by the limitations of his or her past. The reader comes to the realization of this theme through the author’s use of recurring motifs and symbolism. One of the major recurring images in The Color Purple, is Celie’s passion for sewing. In addition to Celie’s use of religion as an outlet, the reader discovers how Celie uses sewing as release from her troubled reality. Without knowing, as Celie finds her passion for sewing she, which an internal healing process. The reader learns that through sewing Celie was able to connect with “a tangible and rewarding endeavor that has unexpected benefits for those she loves” (Carmen). Not only does sewing allow Celie to channel her emotions into something besides her writing, but also promotes new relationships in her personal life. Standing for a pitvol part of progression, the sewing motif additionally explains how in the end, “all the loose ends is neatly stitched together and each cuff is carefully hemmed” (Carmen). In addition to sewing and God, another recurring element that the author employes is color imagery. The color purple was referenced several times within in the book. “I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it. People think pleasing God is all God cares about. But any fool living in the world can see it always trying to please us back” (Walker, letter 73). The reader can relate this color to something of great importance and worthy of admiration, however it is not always adequately appreciated. Likewise, the author’s use of color imagery, helps the reader to relate to the joy that eventually overcomes Celie. In the end of the story, Celie is no longer overlooked by effects of a crippling authority, but instead is admired and “learns to celebrate life’s