In the Book "the color purple"?

Question

In the book the color purple, what does the color purple actually signify or what does it symbolieze

Answer 1

Hi Clint,

Though Catfight correctly identifies the scene in which the title is explained, I disagree with her interpretation. I think the color purple signifies and is a metaphor for Miss Celie. "It pisses God off" when you walk by the color purple. And all her life, people have been "walking by" Celie without noticing her. {To support this idea that Celie is the purple wild flower, remember, when Celie finally buys her first new dress, it is purple.}

She is possessed of all the beauty of the color purple, but she is noticed by nobody because she's not bold and vibrant. Like the field of purple wild flowers she and Shug are walking through, Celie just "is" and has always been unappreciated. But even though the wild flowers require no special cultivation like prize winng roses, they are, in their way, just as beautiful. Likewise, Celie can never achieve the dazzling beauty of Shug, but she possesses the same unaffected grace of the wild flower.

I believe the color purple is Miss Celie.

Hope this helps. Cheers, mate.

Answer 2

The title represents a complex symbol: Wherein, at first Celie has no decent garment, only drab cast-offs; what she longs for is a sexy dress. When she is able to buy one, she chooses the bold, affirmative color purple. The purple flowers in the field signify joy and freedom. It explicitly states that her womanism is to feminism what purple is to lavender: that black womanhood asserts strength and creativity.

When Celie inherits a house from her stepfather she decorates Shug's room in brilliant colour, symbolizing her new economic choice and an intention of affirming her personality. When sewing trousers she selects materials and colours to suit diverse personalities. They bring beauty and colour into everyday design, for the use of friends and families.

The word 'colored' had been used, like the word '*****', to denigrate a whole race. Therefore the use of colored metaphors signals a bold denial of humiliating associations. Many will lovingly describe different shades of blackness; making the admired Shug very dark, and beautiful.

I hope this answer helps...I had to give examples to properly explain my theory..

Answer 3

The title might come from a part close to the end of the book in which Shug says that she believes that 'I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.' But then if you think about literally what the color purple is supposed to symbolize, like each color symbolizes something different, purple is truth, understanding, strength, royalty, wisdom, dignity, and independence, then the title makes sense that way too.

Answer 4

Wow! Such great answers and each are different. I gave Jack my vote though, I think what he said was very impressive and I agree with him.... The color purple IS Miss Celie. Give him the 10 points!

Answer 5

Hm, Red 1) Something important is happening? Red 2) Something evocative? Red 3) To do with Wicca? Red 4) Hm...a blackbird which is red....pass Red 5) Blood? Red 6) Leading us all up the garden path