The Color Purple Flashcards
1
Q
When was ‘The Color Purple’ set?
A
1910-1940
2
Q
What is the ONE main setting in the novel?
A
- Rural Georgia (A part of the Deep South)
3
Q
What are the FOUR contexts of ‘TCP’?
A
- Jim Crow Laws
- Civil Rights Movement
- Feminist Movement
- Abolishment of Slavery
4
Q
How does the ‘Jim Crow Laws’ link to ‘TCP’?
A
- A law which encouraged racial segregation in the USA which became prominent in the 19th century.
- Advocated violence when necessary to keep races separate.
- Celie being sold, the slave trade – Sold to Mr.___, aka Albert
5
Q
How does the ‘Civil Rights Movement’ link to ‘TCP’?
A
- Took place between 1954 – 1968
- Aimed to end legalised racial discrimination, disenfranchisement (state of being deprived of a right), and racial segregation.
- Began when Rosa Parks, an African-American woman, was arrested for refusing to move to the back of the bus in Montgomery, Alabama
6
Q
How does the ‘Feminist Movement’ link to ‘TCP’?
A
- Social movement with political campaigns for reforms on women’s issues, created by inequality between men and women.
- Over 4 waves of feminism, each focusing on the reversal of patriarchal oppression
- Literature aims to shine a light onto the inequality women have experienced through displaying their lack of celebration and acknowledgement.
7
Q
How does the ‘Abolishment of Slavery’ link to ‘TCP’?
A
- Slavery in America was abolished in 1865 – Novel was set in 1910 to 1940.
- Shoe shiners – Post abolishment of slavery, shows social injustice and stems off a branch of slavery. Black people were given jobs lower than the white people – builds a social hierarchy
- The behaviour that was presented pre-abolishment is still seen through the slave-like treatment of
8
Q
What are the FOUR themes in ‘TCP’?
A
- Conflict
- Power of the Narrative Voice
- Power of Strong Female Relationships
- Cyclical Nature of Racism and Sexism
9
Q
How does ‘Conflict’ link to ‘TCP’?
A
- Main conflict is based on society’s views of gender and race.
- Major character conflict – Celie, as she is verbally, physically, and sexually abused by several different men, leaving her with little sense of self-worth, no narrative voice, and nobody to run to.
- American Society in the South was heavily one-sided on these topics, women during this time were looked down on and underappreciated
- Women were seen as objects that should cool, clean and have babies for their husbands.
- The main issue Celie encounters is understanding her own self-worth
- Being an African American in a racist society, she has come to believe that she is worthless and ugly, undeserving of love
10
Q
How does the ‘Power of the Narrative Voice’ link to ‘TCP’?
A
- Walker emphasises the ability to express ones thought and feelings and how its crucial to develop a sense of self.
- Walker wishes to explicitly emphasise the power of narrative and speech to assert selfhood and resist oppression, the novel acknowledges that such resistance can be risky.
- Her letters to God are her method of communication with us as a reader and to herself, she uses them as her outlet, pouring out her story. However, because she is so unaccustomed to articulating her experience, her narrative is initially muddled despite her best efforts at total transparency.
11
Q
How does the ‘Power of Strong Female Relationships’ link to ‘TCP’?
A
- Walker portrays female friendships as a means for women to summon the courage to tell stories. These stories also allow women to resist the oppression and dominance. Relationships among women form a refuge, providing reciprocal love in a world filled with male violence.
- Sofia claims that her ability to fight comes from her strong relationships with her sisters. Nettie’s relationship with Celie anchors her through years of living in the unfamiliar culture of Africa. Samuel notes that the strong relationships among Olinka women are the only thing that makes polygamy bearable for them.
12
Q
How does the ‘Cyclical Nature of Racism and Sexism’ link to ‘TCP’?
A
- None of the abusers in Walker’s novel are stereotypical, one-dimensional monsters who we can dismiss as purely evil. Those who perpetuate violence are themselves victims, often of sexism, racism, or paternalism.
- For Example: Harpo beats Sofia only after his father (Albert, aka Mr.___) implies that Sofia’s resistance makes Harpo less of a man.
- Mr.____ is violent and mistreats his family much like his own tyrant like father treated him. Celie advises Harpo to beat Sofia because she is jealous of Sofia’s strength and assertiveness.
13
Q
What are the TWO symbols in ‘TCP’?
A
- Quilts and Patches
2. God
14
Q
What is the significance of ‘Quilts and Patches’?
A
- Symbolises the power women can gain from productively channelling their creative energy.
- Creating unity between black people or women
- The quilt is composed of different patterns, all sewn together, symbolising diverse people coming together, unity.
15
Q
What is the significance of ‘God’ in ‘TCP’?
A
- Celie sees him as a helping hand, a listener who she can vent to about her issues
- She originally pictures God in a patriarchal light, white, saying it doesn’t “seem quite right”
- Later on, Shug helps her move on from her dictating past, inviting her to imagine God radically different, she chased away her patriarchal God, coming up with a new concept of God.
- For example: In her last letter, she writes “Dear God. Dear stars, dear trees, dear sky, dear peoples. Dear Everything. Dear God”
- This alteration of her perception of God symbolises Celie’s move from an object, used by the men in her life, to an independent woman. Also indicates that her voice is now sufficiently empowered to create her own narrative.
