"The Color Purple" by Alice Walker.

Essay by Laska_plHigh School, 12th gradeA+, October 2003

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The book The Color Purple was written by Alice Walker. The book was not written in a conventional manner. It was a series of letters spanning the life of Celie, the main character. Most of the letters were written by Celie and some by her sister Nettie. The theme of the book is to be true to yourself in spite of difficulties and never let go of what you believe in. Do not let people make you think you are something that you are not, then you have the will to survive during the worst of times.

The Color Purple is about Celie's life. In the beginning of the novel, we learn that Celie was raped by her father. We also learn that Celie's mother is ill and is unable to take care of the family. Celie is forced to cook and clean for her family. Celie conceived two children because of her father's continuous raping.

She never sees her children and believes that her father killed them. A man from town wanted to take Celie's sister Nettie as a wife, but her father convinces the man to take Celie instead. Celie is now forced to marry an older man who already has children. Celie's husband constantly beats and rapes her without any remorse. He even made Celie nurse Shug Avery, his mistress, when she was ill. It is now that Celie learns from Shug Avery about love. Shug Avery encourages Celie not to take the abuse from her husband anymore and that she deserves better. Celie would finally leave her husband when she found out that he kept her sister's letters from her. Nettie was the sole reason why Celie had managed to survive. Celie could not tolerate any more abuse and left with...