Written By Avila Chidume
[https://www.filmlinc.org/films/the-color-purple/]
The Color Purple by Alice Walker, was originally a novel following Celie, an African American woman, as she wrote letters to God detailing her life in the early 1900s. It portrays Celie’s journey towards empowerment, overcoming oppression and abuse to find fulfilment and independence.
[https://www.philasun.com/entertainment/alice-walker-the-color-purple-30th-anniversary/]
The novel received widespread acclaim for its portrayal of Black female characters, the way it provided marginalised groups a voice, and its use of African-American Vernacular. Additionally, Walker defined the term “womanist”, which celebrates the unique struggles and strengths of Black women while feminism acts as a subtype. Womanist emphasises the importance of intersectionality, Black women’s agency and empowerment which are themes explored in the book and movies. According to Walker, “Womanist is to feminist as purple is to lavender.”
The book was first published in 1982 and critically acclaimed, so much so that it earned Walker a Pulitzer Prize in fiction, making her the first African American woman to win one since the awards began in 1948. Today, The Color Purple is considered an American classic due to its diversity in storytelling and its deep socio-cultural significance, highlighting Black women’s experiences in a white supremacist, patriarchal world.
The book is also included in the Library of Congress. It is now taught in schools internationally and is included in the British education curricula in Key Stage 5 as it contributes to discussions on race, gender and literature.
[https://earlybirdbooks.com/the-color-purple-alice-walker-discussion]
The first movie was released in 1985 and starred a majority Black cast which was not common at the time. The movie was so well received by fans of the book and the wider American public that it was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, and propelled Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey’s acting careers. In 2005, the book was adapted for Broadway with Oprah being one of the producers. The production’s hit music and star studded cast won two Tony Awards in 2016.
The themes addressed in The Color Purple encompass various aspects of societal struggles and personal growth. Firstly, the novel delves into sexism, highlighting the challenges faced by Black women and emphasising the importance of sisterhood, this is demonstrated by the consistent letters Celie’s sister, Nettie, writes to her whilst navigating her own living situation abroad. Both sisters write of powerlessness but from different perspectives but with similar emotions and a need for belonging and reconnection.
Additionally, it confronts racism, depicting the oppression experienced by African Americans in the early 1900s and addressing ongoing issues still relevant today. Furthermore, the narrative explores abuse within familial, platonic, and romantic relationships. We see this through the abuse suffered by the sisters at their father’s hands when young and how that translates to their adult relationships.
It also delves into religious themes, including the questioning of faith and the impact of community beliefs. The novel exists because Celie has turned to her only confidant- God, for comfort following the abuse she has faced.
Finally, the novel addresses themes of sexuality and identity, particularly focusing on the denial of queer love, which was notably censored in the original movie adaptation despite featuring a kiss between two female characters, Celie and Shug, on screen.
[Source: https://www.thecolorpurplefilm.net/]
The latest movie adaptation, released in 2023, is based on the Broadway musical and utilises Black music rooted in the struggles of the Black community to express the emotions and experiences of the characters. The narrative portrays both sadness and the empowerment that comes from overcoming adversity and surviving against all odds. To commemorate the movie’s release, influencers have embraced social media platforms like TikTok, recreating dance numbers and musical moments from the film.
Today, The Color Purple stands as a significant cultural landmark, captivating readers and audiences worldwide. Its themes, especially those on abuse within the home and religious connection, were not openly discussed at the time Walker published her book. The book has received criticism for its raw and unfiltered nature for discussing issues such as child abuse early on, however Walker has defended herself against this criticism, stating statistics on child abuse within the United States. The characters, and the compelling narrative ignite crucial dialogues on intersectionality and social justice, leaving a profound impact on subsequent literary, theatrical, and cinematic creations.
[https://www.filmlinc.org/films/the-color-purple/]
The Color Purple by Alice Walker, was originally a novel following Celie, an African American woman, as she wrote letters to God detailing her life in the early 1900s. It portrays Celie’s journey towards empowerment, overcoming oppression and abuse to find fulfilment and independence.
The novel received widespread acclaim for its portrayal of Black female characters, the way it provided marginalised groups a voice, and its use of African-American Vernacular. Additionally, Walker defined the term “womanist”, which celebrates the unique struggles and strengths of Black women while feminism acts as a subtype. Womanist emphasises the importance of intersectionality, Black women’s agency and empowerment which are themes explored in the book and movies. According to Walker, “Womanist is to feminist as purple is to lavender.”
The book was first published in 1982 and critically acclaimed, so much so that it earned Walker a Pulitzer Prize in fiction, making her the first African American woman to win one since the awards began in 1948. Today, The Color Purple is considered an American classic due to its diversity in storytelling and its deep socio-cultural significance, highlighting Black women’s experiences in a white supremacist, patriarchal world.
The book is also included in the Library of Congress. It is now taught in schools internationally and is included in the British education curricula in Key Stage 5 as it contributes to discussions on race, gender and literature.
[https://earlybirdbooks.com/the-color-purple-alice-walker-discussion]
The first movie was released in 1985 and starred a majority Black cast which was not common at the time. The movie was so well received by fans of the book and the wider American public that it was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, and propelled Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey’s acting careers. In 2005, the book was adapted for Broadway with Oprah being one of the producers. The production’s hit music and star studded cast won two Tony Awards in 2016.
The themes addressed in The Color Purple encompass various aspects of societal struggles and personal growth. Firstly, the novel delves into sexism, highlighting the challenges faced by Black women and emphasising the importance of sisterhood, this is demonstrated by the consistent letters Celie’s sister, Nettie, writes to her whilst navigating her own living situation abroad. Both sisters write of powerlessness but from different perspectives but with similar emotions and a need for belonging and reconnection.
Additionally, it confronts racism, depicting the oppression experienced by African Americans in the early 1900s and addressing ongoing issues still relevant today. Furthermore, the narrative explores abuse within familial, platonic, and romantic relationships. We see this through the abuse suffered by the sisters at their father’s hands when young and how that translates to their adult relationships.
It also delves into religious themes, including the questioning of faith and the impact of community beliefs. The novel exists because Celie has turned to her only confidant- God, for comfort following the abuse she has faced.
Finally, the novel addresses themes of sexuality and identity, particularly focusing on the denial of queer love, which was notably censored in the original movie adaptation despite featuring a kiss between two female characters, Celie and Shug, on screen.
[Source: https://www.thecolorpurplefilm.net/]
The latest movie adaptation, released in 2023, is based on the Broadway musical and utilises Black music rooted in the struggles of the Black community to express the emotions and experiences of the characters. The narrative portrays both sadness and the empowerment that comes from overcoming adversity and surviving against all odds. To commemorate the movie’s release, influencers have embraced social media platforms like TikTok, recreating dance numbers and musical moments from the film.
Today, The Color Purple stands as a significant cultural landmark, captivating readers and audiences worldwide. Its themes, especially those on abuse within the home and religious connection, were not openly discussed at the time Walker published her book. The book has received criticism for its raw and unfiltered nature for discussing issues such as child abuse early on, however Walker has defended herself against this criticism, stating statistics on child abuse within the United States. The characters, and the compelling narrative ignite crucial dialogues on intersectionality and social justice, leaving a profound impact on subsequent literary, theatrical, and cinematic creations.
BLAM UK CIC 