Garrett:
Was Olivia Celie's daughter or not?
Why doesn't Mr._ want Harpo to marry?
197
Why does Shug ask Celie to come to Tennesee with her? (i.e. the sudden shift to her running away)
Is Celie's loss of faith a good thing or a bad thing?
Ali: What does "I say Write. She say, what? I say, write. She say, Nothing but death can keep me from it. She never write" (18). Is Nettie dead?
Why is Celie so obsessed with Shug Avery?
Does "A girl at church say yo git big if you bleed every month. I don't bleed no more" (5) mean that Celie is pregnant?
What does Mr _ mean when he says, "Yeah, I see now she going to switch the traces on you?" (34).
Why does Celie say to beat Sofia? (36).
Does Celie like Shug Avery more than she should?
Is Shug bi-sexual? and Is Celie a Lesbian? (113)
Why does Albert hide Nettie's letters to Celie? (117)
Why does the Reverend and his family try to take Nettie around all the time?
Why do you think Walker made this statement seem to important? "A girl is nothing to herself; only to her husband can she become something" (155).
Do you think Mr. realized that when he hid the letters he would be hurting Celie to and not just Nettie?
Why do you think Walker had it that Nettie is with her children? Why do you think Mr. _ Didn't tell Celie or Nettie that he is not their real father?
Why do you think Celie really says she doesn't believe in GOd even though really she does?
Does this quote, "I think is pisses GOd off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it" (196). mean for Celie that she has been living her life wrong because she hasn't stop to enjoy and admire anything for herself? Why is Shug's house covered and filled with turtles and elephants? (208)
Why does Celie say that a Duck will represent her in the house? (209)
Why do pants that have one leg that is red and one leg that is purple represent Sofia? (216) What does the analogy of frogs as men mean? - p254 Why is God different to Nettie and Samuel after all these years? Is it the same God that Shug is referring to? -257 When Mr. _ says, "The more I wonder, the more I love," what is he wondering about? -p 283
What does the fact that Mr. carves Celie a purple frog mean? -p 284
Why do you think Celie says she feels yonger than she has ever felt? Does this mean she is just beginning to live? - p. 288 Kim Roy:
(32)
What is it about Shug Avery that impresses Celie? Is it her masculinity, as "her mouth [is] open showing all her teef and don't nothing seem to be troubling her mind" (25), in contrast to Harpo's sadness that makes his "face begin to look like a woman face" (27)? Or is it her femininity, as a woman "ten thousand times more prettier than [Celie]" (6)?
What is the significance of the color purple, as the color that Celie believes queens and Shug Avery would wear?
What are the grounds for Celie's insistence that her submission keeps her alive?
(64) What silences Celie--her own discipline, Mr.'s influence, or her society's dictations?
Why is Harpo threatened by Sofia's capability to fend for herself?
Why does Celie continue to admire Shug, despite Shug's questionable treatment of Celie? Does Shug care about Celie?
(129) By contrasting the abusive relationships within Celie’s family (though Shug says that Celie and Albert “feel just like family now” (109)) and the loving relationship between Corrine, Samuel, Nettie, and their children in the Reverend’s household, is Walker implying that it takes “God’s help” (126) to support a good family?
Many of the characters in the novel have nicknames or are unnamed. What is the significance of Lillie being nicknamed Shug? Is this degrading, like Squeak for Mary Agnes, or a positive good?
Why doesn’t Harpo want Mary Agnes to sing?
(162)
Nettie finds that Tashi’s parents, and all parents in Olinka, believe that women do not have a place in society except in their husband’s home. Poor treatment of women, Nettie finds, is universal. Despite Nettie’s discovery, does she feel that girls like Tashi can help transform their society? Will part of Nettie’s mission be empowerment for women?
A white female missionary says of Africans and Europeans, “an African daisy and an English daisy are both flowers, but totally different kinds” (136). In what ways are Africans and English similar yet different?
Despite their similar responsibilities as essentially maids for their families, why are Sofia’s and Nettie’s reactions to their jobs so different?
(197) Is Walker arguing that male greediness is the most destructive force on earth?
(in Olinka, if the child of a husband’s favorite wife dies, women’s friendships break down; Samuel, compassionate and understanding, is Nettie’s only male friend, God is not a he or she but an It; Shug believes that “man corrupt everything” (197), such as by interrupting both prayers and metaphorical clarity in vision)
Olivia’s menstrual cycle began immediately after her mother’s death. Is there any significance in the timing of the arrival of her “friend” (188)?
(240)
How much power is there in a name?
What is the significance in Celie's new skill, making pants? How have pants changed her attitude and the amount of power she has?
Is it God that curses Mr. right along with Celie? 276 Is it ironic that Mr. describes the early Celie as similar to a bird, as birds are usually free creatures?
Are Shug’s qualities more “manly” or “womanly” (269)?
Whose society is more “backward,” (242, 272) Celie’s or Nettie’s in the Olinka tribe
288
Why does Celie now call Mr. by his real name? How has their relationship changed?
How has Celie grown since the beginning of the novel? Instead of being weary from hard experiences, why is Celie the “youngest [she] ever felt” (288)? Brianna:
(32)
1) Do women have any rights at all in this book? If yes, is it Celie's fault for being so taken advantage of? If no, how does Shug Avery and Sophia Butler have so much independence and power?
2) Why doesn't Harpo stand up for Sophie or at least follow her after Mr. offends her? If men are supposedly so strong in The Color Purple, why doesn't he go against his father? (64)
1). Celie realizes Sophia feels bad for her; does she really understand her own position?
2). What is the significance of Harpo eating so much food to make up for the fact he can't make Sophio mind him?
3). Sophia has a lot of strength and independence, why doesn't Celie admire her, too? Are looks that important to Celie? (129)
1). How do you think Shug sees her relationships w/ Celie, Albert _, and Grady? Does she love any of them? All of them?
2). Do you think of Mr. Albert _ now that we know he has been taking all of Nettie's letters?
3). Do you think Celie actually tries to kill Mr. _? (120) If so, why now does she have emotions, etc., and why after does she feel "dead?" (120) (162)
1). Now that Celie has renewed reason to live, Nettie and the children, why does she feel numb and dead?
2). Even though Nettie is independent, free, and taken care of, what is the significance of everyone in the Olinka village looking down on her?
3). Why do you think Walker includes that the Olinka treat their women the same as Pa did?
4). Does Corinne's jealousy say something about religion not being able to keep a family happy? (197)
1). Why does Pa get to hurt everyone in his family, have them leave, and live an even better, more fruitful life w/ a doting young wife? (178-182)
2). Do you think now that Celie thinks of God as an It she will become more religious since God is not a man? (195)
3). What do you think is "the color purple" to Celie or in Celie's situation? (197) (240)
1). What is the significance of Shug liking elephants, turtles, and round houses?
2). What is the significance of Celie deciding pants is her calling?
3). How does Mr. _ feel about Celie now? Why has his feelings changed?
4). Is Celie alive now? (276)
1). Why did the female initiation change Tashi so much? (p 242)
2). What does Shug's fortune signify? (p 248)
3). Why does Celie like birds? (p 253)
4). Why can't Sofia make herself tolerate Stanley Reynolds Earl? (p 264) (288)
1). Is it significant that Adam changed to match Tashi instead of vice versa?
2). Do you think it's true "the more you wonder the more you love?" (p 283)
3). Celie asks herself if life is about being "calm," is it? (p 283)
4). What is the significance of Celie and Nettie crying like babies and feeling the youngest they've ever felt? (p 288)
Traci: Why is Celie so obsessed with Shug Avery and her thoughts?
Why does Celie never use names for the men (he, Pa, Mr. _)?
Why does Celie constantly talk about death, killing?
(page 64)
What's the importance of Harpo's constant want for food in Celie's letters to God?
If we think Celie admires/obsesses over Shug because she can hold her own, why doesnt Celie admire Sophia in the same way?
---Celie tells Harpo Sophia's strong and can't be beat. (page 129):
What has become of Shug and Celie's relationship up to this point? (They've kissed and Shug admits Celie loves her [pd 118])
In Nettie's letters, she mentions Corrine and Samuel a lot. Will this lead to Celie reconnecting with her children?
(page 162)
Tashi's parents seem to believe the women should be inferior to men.
Are Nettie's letters about Tashi's parents' ideas of the role of women and men in society trying to push Celie to overcome Mr. ?
Is the story of the roofleaves implying something that will happen to either Nettie or Celie?
What pushes Corinne over the edge when she tells Nettie to call each other brother, sister, not share clothes, not allowing the children to call her Mama Nettie? p158
(197)
What causes Celie to lose faith in God?
The phrase "the color purple" is written a couple times in this section. What does it mean and why would Walker make this her title?
Why is it that Nettie says, "She (Corrine) gets weaker and weaker, and unless she can believe us [...], I fear we will lose her" but when Corrine finally says to Samuel, "I believe," she dies?
(240)
What makes Celie finally stand up for herself?
Why does Celie believe so strongly about her curse?
How will her new pants company affect her?
(276)
What connection does Adam have with Tashi? What makes him go find her?
Is Celie officially "in love" with Shug now? (Celie is disappointed/mad Shug loves the nineteen year old Germaine)
(end)
What does Walker say having Celie hire Sophia? (Sophia is strong and self-confident-the characteristics Celie dreamed to possess)
What lesson was Celie supposed to learn?
What is meant when Celie says she feels younger than she has ever felt but looks old to the children?
Preston: Does Celie have any power?
What is Celie trying to tell god? 129
Where does Nettie learn to write the way she does?
Is Albert a bad person? and why would he not show Nettie's letters to Celie?
162
What is Alice Walker trying to say about men when she has Nettie describe what happens in the village?
What does the teeth mean on p. 149?
197
Why does Celie stop writing to God?
What is Alice Walker trying to say when she talks about the Olinka land getting destroyed for rubber trees?
204
Is Albert and Celie better off separated from each other?
What does the Harvard student add to the story?
279
Does Celie love the new Mr, ?
Is Nettie really dead as Mr. says?
End
Do you think Shug will ever settle down?
How is Nettie and the children alive after the telegram said that they probably died?
Jared Hara: 1. Why does Celie admire Shrug Avery with such a burning passion?
2. Why are the names always blank?
3. Is Celie a lesbian because she is scared of men, but can look at women? (15)
4. Is Celie truly alive even though her main goal is to stay alive? (17)
(64)
1. Is it important that Sophia becomes submissive like Celia? (88)
2. Does Shug feel love or lust for Albert? (76)
3. Is it important that Shug names a song after Celie? (73)
(129)
1. If Shug admits that Albert is the man she loved, why didn't she just marry him? (121)
2. Is Walker trying to parallel the characters of Shug, or does Shug know that the kind of love that Celie feels for her is more than just familial? (118)
3. Why does Shug marry Grady even though he doesn't seem to respect her? (116) eg (uses her for money, calls her Mama when she tells him not to) 4. Why does Walker portray Sophia as such a submissive character when she is the one who brought Celie hope about fighting? (103)
5. Why is it important that Sophia teaches Ms. Miller how to drive? (103)
(162)
1. Why does Walker make Shug the character to pacify Celie's anger? (144)
2. Why does Nettie emphasize that Celie's children were sent by God? (133)
3. Why is it important that Samuel realizes the advantage that Africans have with their common goal? (137)
4. Why does Walker parallel the Senegalese to the white French people? (141)
5. Are pants a symbol of something such as power or a change in mindset? (146)
(197)
1. Does the road the splits the village in Africa symbolize anything in the story or perhaps represent a theme? (169)
2. Why does Walker include Nettie's letters about the way women are treated? How does this add to the plot with Celie? (166)
3. Does Celie feel that she is not apart of her family simply because she discovers she is not blood related to them? (177)
4. Why does Walker say that Pa looks young? (180)
5. Why does Walker not have Celie find her mother's and father's grave? Does this symbolize something in the plot? (183)
6. Is Walker implying that believing keeps an individual alive? (185)
7. Why does she have Corrine say she "believes" right before she dies when earlier in the story Shug says that Corrine must believe to stay alive? ANother alternate message from Walker? (187)
8. Why does Walker have Shug tell Celie about God? (192)
9. Why does Walker have Celie parallel God and man? (197)
(240)
1. Is Sophia a submissive character even though she takes care of the white family? (204)
2. Is it important that Squeak goes to North and not Sophia? (202)
3. Why does Shug's house look this way? (209)
4. Is it important that Celie berates Mr. blank before she leaves? (207)
5. Why do pants seem to be so important? Are they a symbol of something? (211)
6. What is up with the UMMMMs that they are hearing when they are high on weed? (220)
7. What is Walker trying to say by portraying Mr. blank as such a weak guy? (224)
8. Does Nettie lose any faith when she finds out that her role model is a fraud? (230)
(276)
1) Why does Walker use the fortune cookies in order to get across that Shug fell in love with another man? (248)
2) Is it significant that Celie’s house is bigger than Shug’s? (245)
3) Why does Tashi go through the female initiation is she is ashamed of it? (242)
4) Why does Celie use notes to communicate with Shug her disapproval of Shug’s actions to fall in love with the young man? (250)
5) Is there significance to appreciating the birds or seashells? Why those particular entities? Symbolism? (253)
6) Did Celie fall in love with Shug too fast or was this a good thing for her to do? (259)
7) Is the relationship between Sofia and Ms. Eleanor genuine or one of worker and employer? (265)
8) What is the significance of the new story of Adam and Eve? What can we understand about the people of Africa? Does this parallel the way the whites treat Africans? (275)
(288)
1. What is the significance that Adam gets the same scars to match African traditions? Why not just have Tashi not go through that scarification? (279)
2. Why is it important that Celie consoles Albert about his wrongdoings? Does this portray Celie as more of a victim or strong woman? (283)
3. What is the importance of the entrance into the letter with Celie's emphasis on nature and God? Does Celie really believe in God now? (285)
4. Why doesn't Celie try to make Shug more jealous to repay her for her promiscuous actions? (284)
5. Is Celie weaker because she just lets Shug walk right back into her life? Is she stronger? (284)
6. What is the significance in the manner that Nettie and Celie meet each other again? (286)
7. Does Nettie and her family have any ill feelings towards Albert? (287)
8. Why is it that Celie feels the youngest she's ever felt although she is actually the oldest she's ever been in the story? Is Walker trying to commenting about what it means to be alive or what it means to live? (288)
Ali Goo: (32)
1. How does Celie percieve Shug Avery? How is this important?
2. How does Celie view "fighting" versus "staying alive"? (Nettie?) What is the significance of this to the novel?
(64)
1. How is Mr._ a contradiction? Weak vs. strong/powerful?
2. What is revealed about Mr._ when he learns of Shug's sickness?
(129)
1. How has Shug's perception of Albert changed?
2. Why is Celie so drawn to Shug?
(162)
1. What does Nettie's adventures symbolize for Celie?
2. What could singing represent in this novel?
3. In what way has Celie regaind emotion, after saying she feels nothing at the beginning of the novel?
(197)
1.Why does Celie no longer address her letters to God? How does she feel about Him? What does this reveal about Celie's character?
2. How are Nettie and Shug alike and differemt (in relation to Celie)?
3. How does the novel discuss the issue of women's roles?
(240)
1. How has Celie stood up for herself? What does this say about her development as a character?
2. What is the significance of pants to Celie and to the novel?
(276)
1. How has Mr. and Celie reconnected? What are Celie's feelings about Mr.? And what similarities do they share with one another?
2. In what ways have Shug's new love affected charater development in Celie?
(end)
1. In what ways has Celie changed into an independent woman? (Consider painting her room purple and calling Mr. by his first name, Albert)
2.How is the theme of family used through out the novel? How does the ending complete the "circle?"
Logan:
(32)
1. Why is Celie practically obsessed with Shug Avery?
2. Why does the woman at the store call her daughter Olivia and not Pauline? Is there a reason why she wants to call her daughter by her real name?
3. How are women treated in this book? (Mr. beats up Celie because "she is his wife.")
4. Why are the men referred to as Mr ?
(64)
1. Why does Celie continue to look up to Shug Avery? Is it because Shug behaves unlike any other typical woman during this time?
2. Why does Shug Avery behave so badly? Does it have anything to do with Mr._ comment "Nobody fight for Shug?"
3. Why doesn't Shug Avery simply ask for food instead of taking it when nobody is watching?
(129) 1. Who does Shug love? Grady, Celie, or Mr._?
2. Is Mr._ hiding the letters form Celie or going against Nettie's wishes? In other words, by hiding Nettie's letters is Mr._ opposing Nettie or Celie or both?
3. Is Celie a lesbian or are her feelings for Shug out of admiration? (162)
1. Corrine says God sent her Olivia and Adam, and Nettie does not tell her that they were Celie's children. Does this somehow imply that Celie is a God?
2. When Shug tells Celie that if Albert dies and Grady is all she has left, where does Shug place Celie?
3. In Africa, is Corrine jealous of Nettie?
(197)
1. The Olinka never set foot on the road, but still pay rent and treat the roadbuilders with respect. Do they represent women?
2. What is the significance of Corrine turning to Samuel and saying "I believe," then dies?
3. Does Celie truly believe in God?
(240)
1.Why does a dust devil fill Celie's mouth with dirt while she is cursing Mr.?
2.What is the relationship between Grady and Squeak?
3.Why is Mr. completely different when Celie comes back for the funeral? Does it have anything to do with their previous conversation?
(276)
1. Why is Pa's name revealed only after he dies?
2. Does Shug actually love Celie and did she ever?
3. How can Celie and Mr. have such good relations even after all that occurred in the past?
(End)
1. What does Mr.'s children's personalities say about Mr.?
2. Why doesn't Shug want to sing aymore?
3. Now that the book is complete do you think Mr. redeemed himself? Are men always being discriminated throughout the entire novel?
Bailey: 1. Why doesn't Celie do anything to stand up for herself? (because she doesn't feel she has the right to? too scared?)
2. Why does Mr. want his sister to leave?
3. Are all the men not called by their name because Celie is too afraid or them?
4. Why is it that Celie conveys no emotion when she gets raped, her sister dies, and she gets beaten by her husband?
5. Is Celie a lesbian? Or has she just grown up around men she is afraid of and has come to associate men with fear so she thinks she loves women (Shug) instead?
6. What makes Celie believe that her sister is still alive even after she received a telegram stating differently? What does she define as "alive"? (with her in spirit or breathing?)
7. What reason(s) does Celie have to forgive Mr._?
8. What should Celie do after Shug left her? Is there any way she could have stopped her?
9.
Daiva: (to 32):
1. Why does Celie only talk about her son Harpo and not her other children?
2. Why doesn't Celie love her children?
3. "I don't fight, I stay where I'm told. But I'm alive" (21). What does this mean? Is Celie jealous of her sister's ability to fight?
(to 64):
1. With Shug Avery staying with her, is Celie becoming stronger?
2. Why does Celie tell Harpo to beat Sophia when she knows what it's like to be on the other side?
3. "I notice something crazy in his eyes. I been scared, he say. And he cover up his eyes with his hands" (52). What does this quote reveal about Mr. 's character? Could there be a caring man behind that tough exterior?
(to 129):
1. Why doesn't Harpo originally want Mary Agnes to sing?
2. Why do both Shug and Nettie refer to Mr._ as Albert but Celie doesn't?
3. Why does Sofia do Miz Millie a favor by teaching her to drive after the way she has treated her? Is she becoming weaker?
(to 162):
1. What is happening between Corrine and Nettie's relationship? Why does Corrine suddenly feel the need to declare her status?
2. The motif of teeth shows up periodically throughout the novel, what do teeth symbolize in this society?
3. "A girl is nothing to herself; only to her husband can she become something" (155). Why is this Olinka woman so convinced that only men can have opportunities?
(to 197):
1. "Us each other's peoples now" (183). What does Shug mean?
2. Why does Celie think of God as a white man?
3. Why has Celie lost faith in God?
4. "I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it" (196). What does the color purple represent?
(to 240):
1. "You a lowdown dog is what's wrong, I say. It's time to leave you and enter into creation. And your dead body just the welcome mat I need" (199). What suddenly gives Celie the confidence to stand up to Mr.?
2. What do Celie's pants symbolize?
3. What is the significance of the word "Amen" that is suddenly appearing at the end of Celie's letters?
4. Mr.'s life seems to fall apart as soon as Celie leaves, do you think he actually does love and miss her after all?
(to 276):
1. What is the correlation between the characters and their favorite animals? (Shug and an elephant, Celie and a bird)
2. Why does the thought of anyone getting pregnant make Celie want to cry?
3. Why have Celie and Mr. suddenly become so much closer?
4. After hearing about the story of Adam and Eve, is there a relation between Celie's son Adam and the biblical Adam?
(to the end):
1. Where did Mr.'s sudden wisdom come from?
2. What is the significance of Celie's purple, red, and yellow room?
3. Why is Celie starting to use Mr.'s real name, Albert?
4. Is Celie finally "alive"?
Tia (64)
1) Why doesn't Shug want to take food from Celie?
2) Why do you think Mr. is so sensitive and emotional when it comes to Shug? (He cries, laughs, etc)
3) Is it good that Celie and Mr. are getting closer? (pg 55 "This the closest us ever felt")
(162)
1) Why does Corrine feel threatened by Celie?
2) Why do you think that Walker decides to make it seem as though Nettie is breaking down?
3)What is the importance of the quote "Tashi knows she is learning a way of life she will never live" (60)?
(197)
1) How can "time move slowly, but pass quickly" (164)?
2) Why doesn't anyone want to hear about slavery?
3) Do you believe Americans think "they are the center of the universe and that everything that is done is done for them" (168)?
(240)
In what ways has Celie changed since the beginning of the book?
Do you think Mr. is truly trying to change?
What is the significance of the story of the the white lady on the boat that Nettie writes?
end
What does it mean by "this the youngest us ever felt"?
In what ways has Celie developed as a character?
Why would Walker have Nettie "die" twice throughout the novel but have her return at the end?
Spencer: Why does Pa not want Nettie to marry Mr. ?
How are Pa and Mr. similar? What is the significance of this?
Why does Celie refer to men as Mr. ?
To 129:
Why does Ms. Millie find it acceptable to require Sofia to sit in the back after all Sofia has done for her?
Why does Grady call Shug Mama? What is the significance of this?
Why would Mr._ Hide Nettie's letters? What is the significance of this? What does it foreshadow?
To 162:
What is the parallel between the attitudes of African American men towards women in Africa compared to America?
What is the significance of the color of skin of the Africans (blue black)? The white teeth?
How is Nettie as a missionary similar to Celie at home?
To 197:
Why does Corrine focus on whether the children are Nettie's after they arrive in Olinka?
Why did Pa do what he did? Is he manipulative or evil?
What is the significance of the different views of God that Shug and Celie take?
To 240:
What is the purpose and significance of the "dust devil" (207)?
Why does Celie find a calling in making pants? What do these pants and Celie's attitude towards making them represent?
What does the trip to England and back to America for Nettie represent?
To 276:
Why is it hard for Celie to accept that she has inherited a house?
Why can Celie and Mr talk so freely and openly now? What does Germaine represent?
What are the similarities between Nettie's freedom through God and Celie's?
To End:
Who is the antagonist in the story?
What does Mr.'s realizations signify in Celie's life?
What is the significance of Nettie coming home? What was the main conflict of the story?
Sara:
(till pg. 32)
1. What is the importance of including the lightness of ones skin in descriptions of characters in the novel. Why is this important? (especially because the book is written in the perspective on Celie's)
2. "Trying to believe his story kilt her" (5). What story killed Celie's mother? Was it that she suspected the child Celie was carrying was fathered by her own dad?
3. What does Shug Avery represent to Celie? to Mr. ? To the novel in general?
(till pg 64)
1. Why does Celie have such an easy time admitting (out loud) that she's a "fool" and "jealous" of Sophia (40) ?
2. What does the quilt represent as a theme of the novel?
3. There are a few times throughout these chapters that Mr. is shown as a weak man. What does this say about his character and how power is passed down through male father- son relationships?
(till pg 97)
1. Do you think that Celie and Mr._'s relationship is improving because of Shug being present at the house?
2. Are Celie's feelings for Shug changing? Does she view Shug in a sisterly way or is there something more there?
(till pg 129)
1. How does Sofia, who ends up working with Miss Millie or the woman she assaulted, show the still present racial divisions between Black folk and White folk during this time?
2. Is Celie a lesbian? Is Shug bisexual? What does their evolving relationship say about the changes that Celie herself has made thus far?
3. How will Celie, knowing that Mr._ kept Nettie's letters from her, change her relationship between her and Mr. ? Her and Shug? Her and herself?
(till pg 162)
1. Why do you believe that Alice Walker includes so much in Nettie's letters about the belief of the Olinka tribe that women are not at all equal to men and should only do "womanly" tasks?
2. What does the motif of the roofleaf represent?
3. What are the changes that are occurring to Catharine and what do you think will happen to her later in the novel?
(till pg 197)
1. What is the importance of the letters changing from 'Dear God' to 'Dear Nettie?' What does this say about the importance of Nettie in Celie's life?
2. What does purple represent for Celie? for the novel?
3. The idea of the "white man in charge" is seen both in Celie's life as well as Nettie's. What do you believe Alice Walker is trying to convey with this overarching theme?
4. Why do you think Alice Walker includes such a contrast in the way that Celie views God in comparison to the way that Nettie's views Him/Her/It?
(till pg 240)
1. What does the switch from the Roofleaf to tin represent? How is this change paralleled in Celie's life?
2. Why exactly does Mr. change and eventually die? Does karma exist (in a way) in this novel?
3. What are pallbearers?
4. The motif of pants is extremely important in this reading. What do the pants represent for Celie? And how do they show the changes that Celie has made in her life?
5. What is the importance of Shug wanting a "round house?"
(till pg 276)
1. What is the significance of Mr._ taking up sewing?
2. How has Celie's outlook on life, as well as her views of love, changed from the beginning of the novel?
3. Why does Walker choose to have Celie's room be painted purple?
4. What is the significance of Mr. and Celie's 'reconciliation' and his gift to her? (the purple frog)
5. Is Shug in love with Celie? or does she just love her?
(till the end)
1. Would you call this story 'happily ever after?'
2. "I think this the youngest I ever felt" (288). Why do you believe Alice Walker chose to use this as the last line in the novel?
3. What is the significance of Celie addressing the last letter as "Dear God. Dear stars, dear trees, dear sky, dear peoples. Dear Everyting. Dear God" (285)
4. What is the message of the novel?
Kelly H:
1. Why do you think Celie admires Shug Avery? Should she be considered as a role model?
2. Do you think it is better to stay alive than fight? or vice versa?
3. What are some of the stereotyping about a good wife, or women in general? (page 64)
1. What do you think about Sophia? Is her abusing of Harpo justified?
2. Why does Harpo keep on eating?
3. What does it mean when Celie says, “for the first time in my life, I feel just right?” (57) What kind of influence does Shug has on Celie?
(page 99)
1. What is the relationship between Celie and Shug?
2. Do you think it is worth it for Sofia to fight even if the consequence is being put in jail? (85)
(page 129)
1. Do you think it is better for Sofia to stay obedient under Miss Millie as her maid or should she fight back? 2. Do you think Shug likes Celie the same way Celie likes Shug? (113)
3. If Shug doesn't find out Mr. beats Celie, would she have marry Mr.?
(page 162)
1. Why do you think Nettie says Celie's children are “sent by 'God'”? (133)
2. Do you think an African daisy and an English daisy are totally different kinds? (136)
3. What is the significance when Nettie mentions the difference in Africans' and English people's teeth? (149)
4. Why do you think the Olinka continues to keep the traditional gender roles? (161)
(page 197)
1. Why do you think Corrine dies right after she says she believes Nettie's story about the children not being hers? (187)
2. Why do you think the Olinka men don't want the women to be educated? (170)
2. What is the significance when Celie describes God being like all the other men? (192)
3. How do you think Shug's view point on God will influence Celie? (195) page 240 1. What do you think make Celie have the courage to rebel against Mr.? (199)
2. Do you think it is okay for woman especially a mother like Squeak to leave home? (202)
3. On the top of page 201, why does all the women laugh after Grady says, “a woman can't git a man if people talk”?
4. How is making pants important to Celie? (211-213)
(page 276)
1. If Tashi is ashamed of facial scarification and female initiation, why does she still do it? (242)
2. Do you think Shug ever loved Celie as more than just friends or sisters?
3. What does it mean when Mr. Says, “Sofia and Shug not like men […] but they not like women either” (269)
4. What do you think about the story of Adam and Eve? What is the message in the story? (275)
(page 288)
1. Why do you think the last letter starts with “Dear God. Dear stars, dear trees, dear sky, dear peoples. Dear Everything. Dear God”? (285)
2. According to “I think this the youngest us ever felt” (288), what does Celie mean by being young? What does it mean to be young?
NicoleP: 1. Why does viewing the picture of Shug Avery bring so much light into Celie's life?
2. Does she refer to Mr._ because of the way he treats her?
3.Why is Shug so deadset on rejecting help from others?
4. Why does Harpo want to become as big as Sofia?
5. What does Sofia stand to gain by sassing the mayor's wife?
6. Is Celie really a lesbian or just has no standards to compare men to women?
7. Who would Harpo choose, Sofia or Squeak? 8. Why does Shug first kiss Celie, out of sisterly love and pity? Or actual longing?
9. How could Mr. keep Nettie's letters from Celie?
10. When Nettie is talking to Sofia, what does she mean by describing her as "nothing living"?
11. Does Nettie have feelings for Samuel that go deeper than friendship?
12. What is going to happen in Tashi's future? She seems like she is destined for more than being the chief's wife?
Why Brock:
1. Why don't Mr. _ have a name? Is it to protect himself?
2. Why is Celie compared to a tree on page 22?
Nestor
(page 32)
1. Why does the author, or rather the speaker, not name any of the husbands?
2. What is the biggest influence in Celie's current personality?
3. What is the role of Shug Avery in the relationship between Celie and her supposedly husband?
(page 64)
1. Did anyone's opinion towards Harpo's personality change?
2. What is the role of Shrug Avery in the novel?
3. Based on what we have read, is this novel about the struggle between sexes? or a violent culture?
(page 129)
1. How would one describe Celie and Shug's relationship? 2. What is Walker's intent on including Nettie's letters? What is the purpose of Nettie on the novel's entirety?
(page 162)
1. Why did Walker include the story about the corrupt leader of the tribe that failed and expelled? What is its significance?
2. What is the significance on Nettie's comment on the tribal members white teeth?
(page 197)
1. What is the significance on the difference of Celie's view of God and Shug's view of God?
2. What is Walker trying to say concerning the workers building a road through the Olinka village?
(page 240)
1. Why does Walker decide that Celie's "calling" be pants making?
2. What is the significance of the argument between square and round houses?
(276)
1. Why does Walker include the Olinka's belief towards Adam and Eve?
2. Do you think that there is a future between Mr. _ and Celie? Can the reader fully conclude that Mr. _ is sincere?
3. What is your opinion towards the argument about Sofia and Shug's masculanity/femininity?
Mackenzie:
1. Why is Celie seem so obsessed with Shug Avery? (25,26)
2. Why is Celie so good to Mr. 's children even though she says she doesn't care about them and they are mean to her? (29)
3. Will Sofia become an influence in Celie's life in regards to fighting back? (42)
4. Would Mr. _ beat Shug?
Up to 129:
1. Why does Shug say "June a good time to go off into the world"? (74)
2. What are Shug's feelings toward Celie? What sexual orientation is she of? ("I love you, Miss Cellie") (113)
Up to 162:
1. What is Walker's purpose in providing so much detail in Nettie's letters?
2. Why did Corraine bring all these changes upon Nettie? (158)
Up to 197:
1. Do you think that Celie stopped writing to God just because Shug is the one who gave her a new perspective? (192)
2. Does Pa mean it when he says, "Too sad a stroy to tell pitiful little growing girls,...Any man would have done what I done"? Was this the real reason he took them?
240:
1. Despite how Mr. treats Celie, do you think that he will miss her?
2. Who has been the biggest influence in Celie standing up for herself and telling off Mr. _? Shug or Nettie?
276:
1 Celie tells Mr. _ that she likes birds. Is she using a bird as a symbol of herself?
2. Does Celie start to have affection for Mr. _? or is she just content with his company? (273)
3. Does Celie forgive Mr. _?
To the end:
1. By using the color purple in her room, what does this say about Celie's attitude at the end of the novel? (284)
2. Is Celie right when she says that Shug is jealous? (284)
3. Why does Celie associate youth with happiness? (288) Pualani:
(up til. 32) 1)Why doesn't Celie love Mr.'s children, and why do they not love her?
2)When Celie is picking out a dress, why does she choose purple and red as her wanted colors, what do each of the colors mean?
(up til. 64) 1) What is it that makes Shug "evil" and how does that keep her alive?
2) What is the significance of the yellow power which Shug wears? Is Shug hiding something with her appearence?
3) Does Mr. hold more power/ have more meaning now that we know his name is Albert?
(up til.129) 1)Does Shug really love Grady? Why did she marry him?
2)Why does Celie love cutting hair?
3) Why is Shug now allowing herself to feel connected to this "family"?
(up til.162) 1) Why does Nettie tell Olivia that Tashi will grow up to be a strong women when she knows it is not possible?
2) What is the meaning of the roofleaf story and the new growth of the cassava?
3) What do the pants represent? Power?
(up til. 197) 1) Why do the Olinka people treat the workers and invading men so politely when they are ruining the tribe's life?
2) Why does Corrine not want her children near her?
3)Why is it in so many culture that girls are not able to please their families/fathers?
(up til.240) 1) Do Adam and Olivia seen Nettie or Corrine as more of a mother to them?
2) Do people in other countries really want our help or are we forcing our ways on them?
(up til. 276)1) What are the qualities that Tashi and Celie share, and what does they say about the other?
2) Is this inherited house, Celie's first home, and why?
3) What has allowed this connection to form between Albert and Celie?
4) Is Shug more womanly or manly?
(up til.end) 1)What urged Mr _ ask Celie to marry him?
2) Why does Shug want to stop singing in public, does this say anything about her personality changing?
Tawni:
1. Who do you think is the author of the letters thus far?
2. Why doesn' the author of the letters say what Mr. 's name is?
3. How much time do you think passes between each letter?
4. Why is it important that Celie teach Sophia how to drive?
5. Nettie's letters mentions Celie's children a lot. Do you think that this will lead to Celie reconnecting with her children?
[240]
6. What do you think makes Celie stand up for her self?
7. What is the significance of Jack's Pants? [213] [276]
8. Did Celie fall in love with Shug too fast? [259]
9. Do you precieve Shug as being more masculine or more feminine?
10. What did you think of the new Adam and Eve Story?
[to the end]
11. Why do you think the last letter is written to everyone?
12. Why do you think that "this is the youngest that they ever have felt." (last page)
Karla:
1. Why is Shrug Avery so important to Celie?
2. Why does Harpo decide to confide in Celie?
(129)
1. Why does Mr. hide Nettie's letters from Celie?
2. Who does Shug love most: Celie, Mr. _, or Grady?
(162)
1. The Olinka's believe that girls can only become something to their husbands. During this time, is this view same in America?
2. Why is Corrine becoming jealous of Nettie?
3. What life will Tashi never live?
(197)
1. How does Pa make himself look heroic to Daisy?
2. Why does Corrine not believe Nettie and Samuel with regards to Olivia and Adam?
3. Why does Celie suddenly turn on God?
4. What is so important about the color purple?
(240)
1. What makes Celie gain the courage to stand up to Mr. and leave with Shug?
2. Why does Mr. care that Celie is leaving?
3. In what ways did Mr. change after Celie left? Why is he now scared of Celie?
(276)
1. Why would Tashi undergo the facial sacrification and female initiation ceremony if she previously opposed it?
2. Why didn't Celie want to own her old house? What does God have to do with the house?
3. What does it mean when Celie says "But I'm a woman (251)."
4. Does Mr. love Celie more now?
5. Does liking to sew make Mr. less of a man?
(To end)
1. In what way is Adam a man?
2. What is the lesson that Celie is supposed to learn (283)?
3. Is there any significance in the fact that Celie's room is purple?
4. Why might Celie have addressed her last letter to God and everything else?
Rachel: (32) 1. Why does Celie admire Shug Avery so much? Is it a look-based admiration because Celie does not know Shug Avery personally?
2. Why doesn't Celie put Mr.'s last name in the blank she leaves?
3. What is "it" (2) that was taken and killed by Him?
(64)
1. What do you think about Old Mr.? Do you have a good or bad first impression of him? Why?
2. Why does Celie feel "just right" (57) sitting between Shug and Mr.?
3. What do you think is the cause of Harpo's constant eating?
(129)
1. Where does the "Old Albert" that Shug describes (122) go?
2. What do you think about the sexual orientations of Shug and Celie? Bisexual? Lesbian?
(162)
1. What is the "light" that Nettie talks about (132)?
2. Why does Corrine ask Nettie to change (157)?
3. What are similarities in Celie's and Nettie's new lives? What about comparisons between their new lives and their old lives with Pa?
(197)
1. Why doesn't Corrine want to believe Nettie's story about her relation to Adam and Olivia at first?
2. Why does Celie stop writing to God and start writing to Nettie?
3. How do you think Celie feels about God changing from a Him to an It?
4. Do you notice parallels in Celie's and Nettie's lives?
(240)
1. Is the humming Harpo, Celie and Sofia hear (220) a hallucination or is it really there? What is it?
2. Why does Mr._ fall apart when Celie leaves? Is it because Shug leaves as well?
(276)
1. Why doesn't Adam accept Tashi after her facial scarification is done if the children love her so much (242)?
2. Why does Celie refuse to speak to Shug and choose to write her responses down on paper instead (250)?
3. Why does the thought of pregnancy make Celie want to cry (254)?
(END)
1. What is the "lesson" Celie talks about (283)?
2. Why does Celie feel "young" again (288)?
3. How did Celie, Shug and Mr._ change? Who changed the most?
Preston: (64)
1) Is it right for Sofia to never back down from fights even if it is against her husband?
2) Why is Celie attracted to Shug so much even if she is not what a normal person would look up to?
Tawni: (page 64)
1. How is Celie's character reflected when she says that she doesn't react physically when she gets mad? (41)
2. What does Celie mean when she says "but she more evil than my mama, and that kept her alive?" (47)
3. What is Celie scared of at the end of her letter on page 52?
Brock (64) 1. What is the significance of the quilt Sophia and Celie are making?
2. Why is Shug Avery so mean when someone else is taking care of her?
(to 129)
1. Why is, "White folks is a miracle of affliction,..." ?
2. Why are Celie's tears so important?
1. On page 132, in the middle paragraph why is the word ignorant italicized and then the know is italicized in the same paragraph?
2. Why would Mr._ wear Shug's dress?
1. Why would talk about God so negatively even though she writes to him?
2. What is "dark" on page 167?
1. What is the significance about singing?
2. What is important about the ending line on page 207?
3. What is so important about the pants? Business?
1. Why does the message in the fortune cookie match Celie's current situation?
2. Why does Tashi decide to run away?
Kelli K
(64)
1. Why does Celie seem surprised by Harpo when he hits Sophia? Wasn't that her advice to him?
2. What is the root of Harpo's sudden eating binge? Is it related to his lack of power over Sophia?
3. What is the situation with Shug Avery and Mr._? Celie? Is she dying? (129)
1. What's the problem with Celie sitting in the car (104) in this time?
2. What does Sophia mean when she says, "White fols is a miracle of affliction." (106)
3. Why is the Reverend Mr._ left blank in Nettie's letter? (126)
4. What is Walker trying to do by creating this love triangle with Shug, Celie, and Albert? Grady? (162)
1. Do you think that the Olinka's belief that girls should not be educated (155) was accepted at that time? How would that belief be perceived today?
2. Is Nettie's understanding that Africans helped to play a part in their own slavery (139) justified? How does it make her feel towards her own race?
3. What is the significance of Corrine asking Nettie to change? (157) (197)
1. What does Celie mean in her last letter to God when she says, "You must be sleep" (177). Is she trying to reason why bad things happen?
2. How do Celie's and Shug's idea of God differ from each other?
3. What is the significance of the title now that we have seen the title line (196-97)? (240)
1. What compelled Celie to finally stand up for herself and to be so forceful?
2. What is the significance of Celie's new pants/clothing line?
3. What impact does Celie ultimately have on Mr._? (276)
1. Now it seems that Celie and Mr._have a cordial relationship. What does this relationship change say about Celie's growth?
2. How has Celie's love for Shug changed?
3. Nettie reveals that she know views God as everything like Shug, versus a specific person. Has Celie's image of God changed as well>? (to end) 1. What is the significance of Celie feeling the youngest she ever felt?
2. How has Celie progressed as a character throughout this novel? How has her perception of God evolved?
3. What is the significance of Adam also receiving facial scars? How does this action portray African males?
4. What do you think Walker's main message is? Is she commenting on living, independence, etc.?
ristin
1: Why do you think the theme of being "alive" is important?
2: Do you think Squeak's "incident" was a matter of gender or race or something else? Why?
1: In your opinion, is Celie a lesbian?
2: How has the relationship between Celie and Shug changed?
3: Do you think Celie's reaction to Nettie's letters is more of shock, surprise or anger?
(162)
1: What is the significance of Nettie writing "Tashi knows she is learning a way of life she will never live"? (160) Does this parallel something else in the novel?
2: Why do you think Nettie mentions teeth in her letter? (149)
3: Does your view of Shug's intentions change when she says "Think about me a little bit. Miss Celie, if you kill Albert, Grady be all I got left. I can't even stand the thought of that." (145)
Lori
(32)
1. Why does Celie address God in her letters?
2. Why do you think Celie is content with doing and feeling nothing? Is she content?
(64)
1. What is the differences between Sophia and Celie? and Shug? What do they each respresent?
2. What is Harpo trying to do when he is constantly eating? What is the importance of this?
(129)
1. Do we see a change in Celie when she says "Make Harpo call you by your real name" to Mary Agnes?
2. How are gender roles switched in the relationships of Sophia and the prizefighter and Shug and Grady?
3. Why is Shug so interested in Nettie? Does this reveal anything about Shug and her relationship with Celie?
(162)
1. What is the differences in the societies in America and that which is in Africa, where Nettie is?
2. How has God played a role in Nettie's and Celie's life? Does Walker intend to relate the message that everything happens for a reason?
3. Is everything coming full circle for Celie?
Corey Kozuma
(32)
1) What is the significance of Celie writing to god in all of her letters?"
2) Why is Celie so attracted to Shug Avery?
(64)
1) How does Celie view Sophia in her own eyes?
2)Why can't Harpo accept the fact that Sophia is bigger than him?
(129)
1)Why does Celie enjoy cutting hair so much?
2)What is the significance of Shug and Celie's talks?
(162)
1) What is the effect of Nettie's letters on Celie? How does Celie resond to them?
2) What is Shug's role during this time while Celie is reading through Nettie's letters?
Rachael 32
1) What is the significance of the author not including names in this book?
2) What does Pa do with the children that he takes from Celie?
3) Why won't Pa let Harpo marry that girl? 64
1) Why does Celie encourage Harpo to beat his wife?
2) why does it always seem like Celie is unaffected by the fact that her husband is in love with Shrug Avery? 129
1) Does Shug really love Mr., Grady, and Celie? Or does is she merely using them for selfish pleasure?
2) What purpose does Shug serve to Celie?
3) Is Shug a reliable character?
4) Why does Millie make Celie sit in the backseat of the car? 162
1)What does Nettie mean on page 160 by "Tashi knows she is learning a way of life she will never live"?
2) Why does Nettie put quotations around "God" on page 133. Does this mean she does not actually believe a god exists? 198
1) What is the significance of the color purple?
2) Why does Celie stop writing to God?
3) Why does Nettie keep repeating the fact that many people think that Celie's children are hers? 240
1) If Celie is not writing to God anymore, but rather Nettie, why does she still say "Amen" at the end of each of her letters?
2)Is Shug a good person?
3) Why does Mr_ have a breakdown after Celie leaves? Does he realize her importance or is it merely just a cry for attention? 276
1)What is the significance of Mr. and Celie's new friendship?
2) Do you think Mr.___ is being honest? End
1) Celie starts her last letter, "Dear God. Dear stars, dear trees, dear sky, dear peoples. Dear Everything. Dear God." From this, what can we conclude about Celie's perception of God.
2) Does this view change from the beginning of the book?
3) What is the significance of age in this book? Why does Celie always compare happiness with how old she is?
Was Olivia Celie's daughter or not?
Why doesn't Mr._ want Harpo to marry?
197
Why does Shug ask Celie to come to Tennesee with her? (i.e. the sudden shift to her running away)
Is Celie's loss of faith a good thing or a bad thing?
Ali: What does "I say Write. She say, what? I say, write. She say, Nothing but death can keep me from it. She never write" (18). Is Nettie dead?
Why is Celie so obsessed with Shug Avery?
Does "A girl at church say yo git big if you bleed every month. I don't bleed no more" (5) mean that Celie is pregnant?
What does Mr _ mean when he says, "Yeah, I see now she going to switch the traces on you?" (34).
Why does Celie say to beat Sofia? (36).
Does Celie like Shug Avery more than she should?
Is Shug bi-sexual? and Is Celie a Lesbian? (113)
Why does Albert hide Nettie's letters to Celie? (117)
Why does the Reverend and his family try to take Nettie around all the time?
Why do you think Walker made this statement seem to important? "A girl is nothing to herself; only to her husband can she become something" (155).
Do you think Mr. realized that when he hid the letters he would be hurting Celie to and not just Nettie?
Why do you think Walker had it that Nettie is with her children?
Why do you think Mr. _ Didn't tell Celie or Nettie that he is not their real father?
Why do you think Celie really says she doesn't believe in GOd even though really she does?
Does this quote, "I think is pisses GOd off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it" (196). mean for Celie that she has been living her life wrong because she hasn't stop to enjoy and admire anything for herself?
Why is Shug's house covered and filled with turtles and elephants? (208)
Why does Celie say that a Duck will represent her in the house? (209)
Why do pants that have one leg that is red and one leg that is purple represent Sofia? (216)
What does the analogy of frogs as men mean? - p254
Why is God different to Nettie and Samuel after all these years? Is it the same God that Shug is referring to? -257
When Mr. _ says, "The more I wonder, the more I love," what is he wondering about? -p 283
What does the fact that Mr. carves Celie a purple frog mean? -p 284
Why do you think Celie says she feels yonger than she has ever felt? Does this mean she is just beginning to live? - p. 288
Kim Roy:
(32)
What is it about Shug Avery that impresses Celie? Is it her masculinity, as "her mouth [is] open showing all her teef and don't nothing seem to be troubling her mind" (25), in contrast to Harpo's sadness that makes his "face begin to look like a woman face" (27)? Or is it her femininity, as a woman "ten thousand times more prettier than [Celie]" (6)?
What is the significance of the color purple, as the color that Celie believes queens and Shug Avery would wear?
What are the grounds for Celie's insistence that her submission keeps her alive?
(64)
What silences Celie--her own discipline, Mr.'s influence, or her society's dictations?
Why is Harpo threatened by Sofia's capability to fend for herself?
Why does Celie continue to admire Shug, despite Shug's questionable treatment of Celie? Does Shug care about Celie?
(129)
By contrasting the abusive relationships within Celie’s family (though Shug says that Celie and Albert “feel just like family now” (109)) and the loving relationship between Corrine, Samuel, Nettie, and their children in the Reverend’s household, is Walker implying that it takes “God’s help” (126) to support a good family?
Many of the characters in the novel have nicknames or are unnamed. What is the significance of Lillie being nicknamed Shug? Is this degrading, like Squeak for Mary Agnes, or a positive good?
Why doesn’t Harpo want Mary Agnes to sing?
(162)
Nettie finds that Tashi’s parents, and all parents in Olinka, believe that women do not have a place in society except in their husband’s home. Poor treatment of women, Nettie finds, is universal. Despite Nettie’s discovery, does she feel that girls like Tashi can help transform their society? Will part of Nettie’s mission be empowerment for women?
A white female missionary says of Africans and Europeans, “an African daisy and an English daisy are both flowers, but totally different kinds” (136). In what ways are Africans and English similar yet different?
Despite their similar responsibilities as essentially maids for their families, why are Sofia’s and Nettie’s reactions to their jobs so different?
(197)
Is Walker arguing that male greediness is the most destructive force on earth?
(in Olinka, if the child of a husband’s favorite wife dies, women’s friendships break down; Samuel, compassionate and understanding, is Nettie’s only male friend, God is not a he or she but an It; Shug believes that “man corrupt everything” (197), such as by interrupting both prayers and metaphorical clarity in vision)
Olivia’s menstrual cycle began immediately after her mother’s death. Is there any significance in the timing of the arrival of her “friend” (188)?
(240)
How much power is there in a name?
What is the significance in Celie's new skill, making pants? How have pants changed her attitude and the amount of power she has?
Is it God that curses Mr. right along with Celie?
276
Is it ironic that Mr. describes the early Celie as similar to a bird, as birds are usually free creatures?
Are Shug’s qualities more “manly” or “womanly” (269)?
Whose society is more “backward,” (242, 272) Celie’s or Nettie’s in the Olinka tribe
288
Why does Celie now call Mr. by his real name? How has their relationship changed?
How has Celie grown since the beginning of the novel? Instead of being weary from hard experiences, why is Celie the “youngest [she] ever felt” (288)?
Brianna:
(32)
1) Do women have any rights at all in this book? If yes, is it Celie's fault for being so taken advantage of? If no, how does Shug Avery and Sophia Butler have so much independence and power?
2) Why doesn't Harpo stand up for Sophie or at least follow her after Mr. offends her? If men are supposedly so strong in The Color Purple, why doesn't he go against his father?
(64)
1). Celie realizes Sophia feels bad for her; does she really understand her own position?
2). What is the significance of Harpo eating so much food to make up for the fact he can't make Sophio mind him?
3). Sophia has a lot of strength and independence, why doesn't Celie admire her, too? Are looks that important to Celie?
(129)
1). How do you think Shug sees her relationships w/ Celie, Albert _, and Grady? Does she love any of them? All of them?
2). Do you think of Mr. Albert _ now that we know he has been taking all of Nettie's letters?
3). Do you think Celie actually tries to kill Mr. _? (120) If so, why now does she have emotions, etc., and why after does she feel "dead?" (120)
(162)
1). Now that Celie has renewed reason to live, Nettie and the children, why does she feel numb and dead?
2). Even though Nettie is independent, free, and taken care of, what is the significance of everyone in the Olinka village looking down on her?
3). Why do you think Walker includes that the Olinka treat their women the same as Pa did?
4). Does Corinne's jealousy say something about religion not being able to keep a family happy?
(197)
1). Why does Pa get to hurt everyone in his family, have them leave, and live an even better, more fruitful life w/ a doting young wife? (178-182)
2). Do you think now that Celie thinks of God as an It she will become more religious since God is not a man? (195)
3). What do you think is "the color purple" to Celie or in Celie's situation? (197)
(240)
1). What is the significance of Shug liking elephants, turtles, and round houses?
2). What is the significance of Celie deciding pants is her calling?
3). How does Mr. _ feel about Celie now? Why has his feelings changed?
4). Is Celie alive now?
(276)
1). Why did the female initiation change Tashi so much? (p 242)
2). What does Shug's fortune signify? (p 248)
3). Why does Celie like birds? (p 253)
4). Why can't Sofia make herself tolerate Stanley Reynolds Earl? (p 264)
(288)
1). Is it significant that Adam changed to match Tashi instead of vice versa?
2). Do you think it's true "the more you wonder the more you love?" (p 283)
3). Celie asks herself if life is about being "calm," is it? (p 283)
4). What is the significance of Celie and Nettie crying like babies and feeling the youngest they've ever felt? (p 288)
Traci: Why is Celie so obsessed with Shug Avery and her thoughts?
Why does Celie never use names for the men (he, Pa, Mr. _)?
Why does Celie constantly talk about death, killing?
(page 64)
What's the importance of Harpo's constant want for food in Celie's letters to God?
If we think Celie admires/obsesses over Shug because she can hold her own, why doesnt Celie admire Sophia in the same way?
---Celie tells Harpo Sophia's strong and can't be beat.
(page 129):
What has become of Shug and Celie's relationship up to this point? (They've kissed and Shug admits Celie loves her [pd 118])
In Nettie's letters, she mentions Corrine and Samuel a lot. Will this lead to Celie reconnecting with her children?
(page 162)
Tashi's parents seem to believe the women should be inferior to men.
Are Nettie's letters about Tashi's parents' ideas of the role of women and men in society trying to push Celie to overcome Mr. ?
Is the story of the roofleaves implying something that will happen to either Nettie or Celie?
What pushes Corinne over the edge when she tells Nettie to call each other brother, sister, not share clothes, not allowing the children to call her Mama Nettie? p158
(197)
What causes Celie to lose faith in God?
The phrase "the color purple" is written a couple times in this section. What does it mean and why would Walker make this her title?
Why is it that Nettie says, "She (Corrine) gets weaker and weaker, and unless she can believe us [...], I fear we will lose her" but when Corrine finally says to Samuel, "I believe," she dies?
(240)
What makes Celie finally stand up for herself?
Why does Celie believe so strongly about her curse?
How will her new pants company affect her?
(276)
What connection does Adam have with Tashi? What makes him go find her?
Is Celie officially "in love" with Shug now? (Celie is disappointed/mad Shug loves the nineteen year old Germaine)
(end)
What does Walker say having Celie hire Sophia? (Sophia is strong and self-confident-the characteristics Celie dreamed to possess)
What lesson was Celie supposed to learn?
What is meant when Celie says she feels younger than she has ever felt but looks old to the children?
Preston:
Does Celie have any power?
What is Celie trying to tell god?
129
Where does Nettie learn to write the way she does?
Is Albert a bad person? and why would he not show Nettie's letters to Celie?
162
What is Alice Walker trying to say about men when she has Nettie describe what happens in the village?
What does the teeth mean on p. 149?
197
Why does Celie stop writing to God?
What is Alice Walker trying to say when she talks about the Olinka land getting destroyed for rubber trees?
204
Is Albert and Celie better off separated from each other?
What does the Harvard student add to the story?
279
Does Celie love the new Mr, ?
Is Nettie really dead as Mr. says?
End
Do you think Shug will ever settle down?
How is Nettie and the children alive after the telegram said that they probably died?
Jared Hara:
1. Why does Celie admire Shrug Avery with such a burning passion?
2. Why are the names always blank?
3. Is Celie a lesbian because she is scared of men, but can look at women? (15)
4. Is Celie truly alive even though her main goal is to stay alive? (17)
(64)
1. Is it important that Sophia becomes submissive like Celia? (88)
2. Does Shug feel love or lust for Albert? (76)
3. Is it important that Shug names a song after Celie? (73)
(129)
1. If Shug admits that Albert is the man she loved, why didn't she just marry him? (121)
2. Is Walker trying to parallel the characters of Shug, or does Shug know that the kind of love that Celie feels for her is more than just familial? (118)
3. Why does Shug marry Grady even though he doesn't seem to respect her? (116) eg (uses her for money, calls her Mama when she tells him not to)
4. Why does Walker portray Sophia as such a submissive character when she is the one who brought Celie hope about fighting? (103)
5. Why is it important that Sophia teaches Ms. Miller how to drive? (103)
(162)
1. Why does Walker make Shug the character to pacify Celie's anger? (144)
2. Why does Nettie emphasize that Celie's children were sent by God? (133)
3. Why is it important that Samuel realizes the advantage that Africans have with their common goal? (137)
4. Why does Walker parallel the Senegalese to the white French people? (141)
5. Are pants a symbol of something such as power or a change in mindset? (146)
(197)
1. Does the road the splits the village in Africa symbolize anything in the story or perhaps represent a theme? (169)
2. Why does Walker include Nettie's letters about the way women are treated? How does this add to the plot with Celie? (166)
3. Does Celie feel that she is not apart of her family simply because she discovers she is not blood related to them? (177)
4. Why does Walker say that Pa looks young? (180)
5. Why does Walker not have Celie find her mother's and father's grave? Does this symbolize something in the plot? (183)
6. Is Walker implying that believing keeps an individual alive? (185)
7. Why does she have Corrine say she "believes" right before she dies when earlier in the story Shug says that Corrine must believe to stay alive? ANother alternate message from Walker? (187)
8. Why does Walker have Shug tell Celie about God? (192)
9. Why does Walker have Celie parallel God and man? (197)
(240)
1. Is Sophia a submissive character even though she takes care of the white family? (204)
2. Is it important that Squeak goes to North and not Sophia? (202)
3. Why does Shug's house look this way? (209)
4. Is it important that Celie berates Mr. blank before she leaves? (207)
5. Why do pants seem to be so important? Are they a symbol of something? (211)
6. What is up with the UMMMMs that they are hearing when they are high on weed? (220)
7. What is Walker trying to say by portraying Mr. blank as such a weak guy? (224)
8. Does Nettie lose any faith when she finds out that her role model is a fraud? (230)
(276)
1) Why does Walker use the fortune cookies in order to get across that Shug fell in love with another man? (248)
2) Is it significant that Celie’s house is bigger than Shug’s? (245)
3) Why does Tashi go through the female initiation is she is ashamed of it? (242)
4) Why does Celie use notes to communicate with Shug her disapproval of Shug’s actions to fall in love with the young man? (250)
5) Is there significance to appreciating the birds or seashells? Why those particular entities? Symbolism? (253)
6) Did Celie fall in love with Shug too fast or was this a good thing for her to do? (259)
7) Is the relationship between Sofia and Ms. Eleanor genuine or one of worker and employer? (265)
8) What is the significance of the new story of Adam and Eve? What can we understand about the people of Africa? Does this parallel the way the whites treat Africans? (275)
(288)
1. What is the significance that Adam gets the same scars to match African traditions? Why not just have Tashi not go through that scarification? (279)
2. Why is it important that Celie consoles Albert about his wrongdoings? Does this portray Celie as more of a victim or strong woman? (283)
3. What is the importance of the entrance into the letter with Celie's emphasis on nature and God? Does Celie really believe in God now? (285)
4. Why doesn't Celie try to make Shug more jealous to repay her for her promiscuous actions? (284)
5. Is Celie weaker because she just lets Shug walk right back into her life? Is she stronger? (284)
6. What is the significance in the manner that Nettie and Celie meet each other again? (286)
7. Does Nettie and her family have any ill feelings towards Albert? (287)
8. Why is it that Celie feels the youngest she's ever felt although she is actually the oldest she's ever been in the story? Is Walker trying to commenting about what it means to be alive or what it means to live? (288)
Ali Goo:
(32)
1. How does Celie percieve Shug Avery? How is this important?
2. How does Celie view "fighting" versus "staying alive"? (Nettie?) What is the significance of this to the novel?
(64)
1. How is Mr._ a contradiction? Weak vs. strong/powerful?
2. What is revealed about Mr._ when he learns of Shug's sickness?
(129)
1. How has Shug's perception of Albert changed?
2. Why is Celie so drawn to Shug?
(162)
1. What does Nettie's adventures symbolize for Celie?
2. What could singing represent in this novel?
3. In what way has Celie regaind emotion, after saying she feels nothing at the beginning of the novel?
(197)
1.Why does Celie no longer address her letters to God? How does she feel about Him? What does this reveal about Celie's character?
2. How are Nettie and Shug alike and differemt (in relation to Celie)?
3. How does the novel discuss the issue of women's roles?
(240)
1. How has Celie stood up for herself? What does this say about her development as a character?
2. What is the significance of pants to Celie and to the novel?
(276)
1. How has Mr. and Celie reconnected? What are Celie's feelings about Mr.? And what similarities do they share with one another?
2. In what ways have Shug's new love affected charater development in Celie?
(end)
1. In what ways has Celie changed into an independent woman? (Consider painting her room purple and calling Mr. by his first name, Albert)
2.How is the theme of family used through out the novel? How does the ending complete the "circle?"
Logan:
(32)
1. Why is Celie practically obsessed with Shug Avery?
2. Why does the woman at the store call her daughter Olivia and not Pauline? Is there a reason why she wants to call her daughter by her real name?
3. How are women treated in this book? (Mr. beats up Celie because "she is his wife.")
4. Why are the men referred to as Mr ?
(64)
1. Why does Celie continue to look up to Shug Avery? Is it because Shug behaves unlike any other typical woman during this time?
2. Why does Shug Avery behave so badly? Does it have anything to do with Mr._ comment "Nobody fight for Shug?"
3. Why doesn't Shug Avery simply ask for food instead of taking it when nobody is watching?
(129)
1. Who does Shug love? Grady, Celie, or Mr._?
2. Is Mr._ hiding the letters form Celie or going against Nettie's wishes? In other words, by hiding Nettie's letters is Mr._ opposing Nettie or Celie or both?
3. Is Celie a lesbian or are her feelings for Shug out of admiration?
(162)
1. Corrine says God sent her Olivia and Adam, and Nettie does not tell her that they were Celie's children. Does this somehow imply that Celie is a God?
2. When Shug tells Celie that if Albert dies and Grady is all she has left, where does Shug place Celie?
3. In Africa, is Corrine jealous of Nettie?
(197)
1. The Olinka never set foot on the road, but still pay rent and treat the roadbuilders with respect. Do they represent women?
2. What is the significance of Corrine turning to Samuel and saying "I believe," then dies?
3. Does Celie truly believe in God?
(240)
1.Why does a dust devil fill Celie's mouth with dirt while she is cursing Mr.?
2.What is the relationship between Grady and Squeak?
3.Why is Mr. completely different when Celie comes back for the funeral? Does it have anything to do with their previous conversation?
(276)
1. Why is Pa's name revealed only after he dies?
2. Does Shug actually love Celie and did she ever?
3. How can Celie and Mr. have such good relations even after all that occurred in the past?
(End)
1. What does Mr.'s children's personalities say about Mr.?
2. Why doesn't Shug want to sing aymore?
3. Now that the book is complete do you think Mr. redeemed himself? Are men always being discriminated throughout the entire novel?
Bailey:
1. Why doesn't Celie do anything to stand up for herself? (because she doesn't feel she has the right to? too scared?)
2. Why does Mr. want his sister to leave?
3. Are all the men not called by their name because Celie is too afraid or them?
4. Why is it that Celie conveys no emotion when she gets raped, her sister dies, and she gets beaten by her husband?
5. Is Celie a lesbian? Or has she just grown up around men she is afraid of and has come to associate men with fear so she thinks she loves women (Shug) instead?
6. What makes Celie believe that her sister is still alive even after she received a telegram stating differently? What does she define as "alive"? (with her in spirit or breathing?)
7. What reason(s) does Celie have to forgive Mr._?
8. What should Celie do after Shug left her? Is there any way she could have stopped her?
9.
Daiva:
(to 32):
1. Why does Celie only talk about her son Harpo and not her other children?
2. Why doesn't Celie love her children?
3. "I don't fight, I stay where I'm told. But I'm alive" (21). What does this mean? Is Celie jealous of her sister's ability to fight?
(to 64):
1. With Shug Avery staying with her, is Celie becoming stronger?
2. Why does Celie tell Harpo to beat Sophia when she knows what it's like to be on the other side?
3. "I notice something crazy in his eyes. I been scared, he say. And he cover up his eyes with his hands" (52). What does this quote reveal about Mr. 's character? Could there be a caring man behind that tough exterior?
(to 129):
1. Why doesn't Harpo originally want Mary Agnes to sing?
2. Why do both Shug and Nettie refer to Mr._ as Albert but Celie doesn't?
3. Why does Sofia do Miz Millie a favor by teaching her to drive after the way she has treated her? Is she becoming weaker?
(to 162):
1. What is happening between Corrine and Nettie's relationship? Why does Corrine suddenly feel the need to declare her status?
2. The motif of teeth shows up periodically throughout the novel, what do teeth symbolize in this society?
3. "A girl is nothing to herself; only to her husband can she become something" (155). Why is this Olinka woman so convinced that only men can have opportunities?
(to 197):
1. "Us each other's peoples now" (183). What does Shug mean?
2. Why does Celie think of God as a white man?
3. Why has Celie lost faith in God?
4. "I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it" (196). What does the color purple represent?
(to 240):
1. "You a lowdown dog is what's wrong, I say. It's time to leave you and enter into creation. And your dead body just the welcome mat I need" (199). What suddenly gives Celie the confidence to stand up to Mr.?
2. What do Celie's pants symbolize?
3. What is the significance of the word "Amen" that is suddenly appearing at the end of Celie's letters?
4. Mr.'s life seems to fall apart as soon as Celie leaves, do you think he actually does love and miss her after all?
(to 276):
1. What is the correlation between the characters and their favorite animals? (Shug and an elephant, Celie and a bird)
2. Why does the thought of anyone getting pregnant make Celie want to cry?
3. Why have Celie and Mr. suddenly become so much closer?
4. After hearing about the story of Adam and Eve, is there a relation between Celie's son Adam and the biblical Adam?
(to the end):
1. Where did Mr.'s sudden wisdom come from?
2. What is the significance of Celie's purple, red, and yellow room?
3. Why is Celie starting to use Mr.'s real name, Albert?
4. Is Celie finally "alive"?
Tia (64)
1) Why doesn't Shug want to take food from Celie?
2) Why do you think Mr. is so sensitive and emotional when it comes to Shug? (He cries, laughs, etc)
3) Is it good that Celie and Mr. are getting closer? (pg 55 "This the closest us ever felt")
(162)
1) Why does Corrine feel threatened by Celie?
2) Why do you think that Walker decides to make it seem as though Nettie is breaking down?
3)What is the importance of the quote "Tashi knows she is learning a way of life she will never live" (60)?
(197)
1) How can "time move slowly, but pass quickly" (164)?
2) Why doesn't anyone want to hear about slavery?
3) Do you believe Americans think "they are the center of the universe and that everything that is done is done for them" (168)?
(240)
In what ways has Celie changed since the beginning of the book?
Do you think Mr. is truly trying to change?
What is the significance of the story of the the white lady on the boat that Nettie writes?
end
What does it mean by "this the youngest us ever felt"?
In what ways has Celie developed as a character?
Why would Walker have Nettie "die" twice throughout the novel but have her return at the end?
Spencer: Why does Pa not want Nettie to marry Mr. ?
How are Pa and Mr. similar? What is the significance of this?
Why does Celie refer to men as Mr. ?
To 129:
Why does Ms. Millie find it acceptable to require Sofia to sit in the back after all Sofia has done for her?
Why does Grady call Shug Mama? What is the significance of this?
Why would Mr._ Hide Nettie's letters? What is the significance of this? What does it foreshadow?
To 162:
What is the parallel between the attitudes of African American men towards women in Africa compared to America?
What is the significance of the color of skin of the Africans (blue black)? The white teeth?
How is Nettie as a missionary similar to Celie at home?
To 197:
Why does Corrine focus on whether the children are Nettie's after they arrive in Olinka?
Why did Pa do what he did? Is he manipulative or evil?
What is the significance of the different views of God that Shug and Celie take?
To 240:
What is the purpose and significance of the "dust devil" (207)?
Why does Celie find a calling in making pants? What do these pants and Celie's attitude towards making them represent?
What does the trip to England and back to America for Nettie represent?
To 276:
Why is it hard for Celie to accept that she has inherited a house?
Why can Celie and Mr talk so freely and openly now? What does Germaine represent?
What are the similarities between Nettie's freedom through God and Celie's?
To End:
Who is the antagonist in the story?
What does Mr.'s realizations signify in Celie's life?
What is the significance of Nettie coming home? What was the main conflict of the story?
Sara:
(till pg. 32)
1. What is the importance of including the lightness of ones skin in descriptions of characters in the novel. Why is this important? (especially because the book is written in the perspective on Celie's)
2. "Trying to believe his story kilt her" (5). What story killed Celie's mother? Was it that she suspected the child Celie was carrying was fathered by her own dad?
3. What does Shug Avery represent to Celie? to Mr. ? To the novel in general?
(till pg 64)
1. Why does Celie have such an easy time admitting (out loud) that she's a "fool" and "jealous" of Sophia (40) ?
2. What does the quilt represent as a theme of the novel?
3. There are a few times throughout these chapters that Mr. is shown as a weak man. What does this say about his character and how power is passed down through male father- son relationships?
(till pg 97)
1. Do you think that Celie and Mr._'s relationship is improving because of Shug being present at the house?
2. Are Celie's feelings for Shug changing? Does she view Shug in a sisterly way or is there something more there?
(till pg 129)
1. How does Sofia, who ends up working with Miss Millie or the woman she assaulted, show the still present racial divisions between Black folk and White folk during this time?
2. Is Celie a lesbian? Is Shug bisexual? What does their evolving relationship say about the changes that Celie herself has made thus far?
3. How will Celie, knowing that Mr._ kept Nettie's letters from her, change her relationship between her and Mr. ? Her and Shug? Her and herself?
(till pg 162)
1. Why do you believe that Alice Walker includes so much in Nettie's letters about the belief of the Olinka tribe that women are not at all equal to men and should only do "womanly" tasks?
2. What does the motif of the roofleaf represent?
3. What are the changes that are occurring to Catharine and what do you think will happen to her later in the novel?
(till pg 197)
1. What is the importance of the letters changing from 'Dear God' to 'Dear Nettie?' What does this say about the importance of Nettie in Celie's life?
2. What does purple represent for Celie? for the novel?
3. The idea of the "white man in charge" is seen both in Celie's life as well as Nettie's. What do you believe Alice Walker is trying to convey with this overarching theme?
4. Why do you think Alice Walker includes such a contrast in the way that Celie views God in comparison to the way that Nettie's views Him/Her/It?
(till pg 240)
1. What does the switch from the Roofleaf to tin represent? How is this change paralleled in Celie's life?
2. Why exactly does Mr. change and eventually die? Does karma exist (in a way) in this novel?
3. What are pallbearers?
4. The motif of pants is extremely important in this reading. What do the pants represent for Celie? And how do they show the changes that Celie has made in her life?
5. What is the importance of Shug wanting a "round house?"
(till pg 276)
1. What is the significance of Mr._ taking up sewing?
2. How has Celie's outlook on life, as well as her views of love, changed from the beginning of the novel?
3. Why does Walker choose to have Celie's room be painted purple?
4. What is the significance of Mr. and Celie's 'reconciliation' and his gift to her? (the purple frog)
5. Is Shug in love with Celie? or does she just love her?
(till the end)
1. Would you call this story 'happily ever after?'
2. "I think this the youngest I ever felt" (288). Why do you believe Alice Walker chose to use this as the last line in the novel?
3. What is the significance of Celie addressing the last letter as "Dear God. Dear stars, dear trees, dear sky, dear peoples. Dear Everyting. Dear God" (285)
4. What is the message of the novel?
Kelly H:
1. Why do you think Celie admires Shug Avery? Should she be considered as a role model?
2. Do you think it is better to stay alive than fight? or vice versa?
3. What are some of the stereotyping about a good wife, or women in general?
(page 64)
1. What do you think about Sophia? Is her abusing of Harpo justified?
2. Why does Harpo keep on eating?
3. What does it mean when Celie says, “for the first time in my life, I feel just right?” (57) What kind of influence does Shug has on Celie?
(page 99)
1. What is the relationship between Celie and Shug?
2. Do you think it is worth it for Sofia to fight even if the consequence is being put in jail? (85)
(page 129)
1. Do you think it is better for Sofia to stay obedient under Miss Millie as her maid or should she fight back?
2. Do you think Shug likes Celie the same way Celie likes Shug? (113)
3. If Shug doesn't find out Mr. beats Celie, would she have marry Mr.?
(page 162)
1. Why do you think Nettie says Celie's children are “sent by 'God'”? (133)
2. Do you think an African daisy and an English daisy are totally different kinds? (136)
3. What is the significance when Nettie mentions the difference in Africans' and English people's teeth? (149)
4. Why do you think the Olinka continues to keep the traditional gender roles? (161)
(page 197)
1. Why do you think Corrine dies right after she says she believes Nettie's story about the children not being hers? (187)
2. Why do you think the Olinka men don't want the women to be educated? (170)
2. What is the significance when Celie describes God being like all the other men? (192)
3. How do you think Shug's view point on God will influence Celie? (195)
page 240
1. What do you think make Celie have the courage to rebel against Mr.? (199)
2. Do you think it is okay for woman especially a mother like Squeak to leave home? (202)
3. On the top of page 201, why does all the women laugh after Grady says, “a woman can't git a man if people talk”?
4. How is making pants important to Celie? (211-213)
(page 276)
1. If Tashi is ashamed of facial scarification and female initiation, why does she still do it? (242)
2. Do you think Shug ever loved Celie as more than just friends or sisters?
3. What does it mean when Mr. Says, “Sofia and Shug not like men […] but they not like women either” (269)
4. What do you think about the story of Adam and Eve? What is the message in the story? (275)
(page 288)
1. Why do you think the last letter starts with “Dear God. Dear stars, dear trees, dear sky, dear peoples. Dear Everything. Dear God”? (285)
2. According to “I think this the youngest us ever felt” (288), what does Celie mean by being young? What does it mean to be young?
Nicole P:
1. Why does viewing the picture of Shug Avery bring so much light into Celie's life?
2. Does she refer to Mr._ because of the way he treats her?
3.Why is Shug so deadset on rejecting help from others?
4. Why does Harpo want to become as big as Sofia?
5. What does Sofia stand to gain by sassing the mayor's wife?
6. Is Celie really a lesbian or just has no standards to compare men to women?
7. Who would Harpo choose, Sofia or Squeak?
8. Why does Shug first kiss Celie, out of sisterly love and pity? Or actual longing?
9. How could Mr. keep Nettie's letters from Celie?
10. When Nettie is talking to Sofia, what does she mean by describing her as "nothing living"?
11. Does Nettie have feelings for Samuel that go deeper than friendship?
12. What is going to happen in Tashi's future? She seems like she is destined for more than being the chief's wife?
Why
Brock:
1. Why don't Mr. _ have a name? Is it to protect himself?
2. Why is Celie compared to a tree on page 22?
Nestor
(page 32)
1. Why does the author, or rather the speaker, not name any of the husbands?
2. What is the biggest influence in Celie's current personality?
3. What is the role of Shug Avery in the relationship between Celie and her supposedly husband?
(page 64)
1. Did anyone's opinion towards Harpo's personality change?
2. What is the role of Shrug Avery in the novel?
3. Based on what we have read, is this novel about the struggle between sexes? or a violent culture?
(page 129)
1. How would one describe Celie and Shug's relationship?
2. What is Walker's intent on including Nettie's letters? What is the purpose of Nettie on the novel's entirety?
(page 162)
1. Why did Walker include the story about the corrupt leader of the tribe that failed and expelled? What is its significance?
2. What is the significance on Nettie's comment on the tribal members white teeth?
(page 197)
1. What is the significance on the difference of Celie's view of God and Shug's view of God?
2. What is Walker trying to say concerning the workers building a road through the Olinka village?
(page 240)
1. Why does Walker decide that Celie's "calling" be pants making?
2. What is the significance of the argument between square and round houses?
(276)
1. Why does Walker include the Olinka's belief towards Adam and Eve?
2. Do you think that there is a future between Mr. _ and Celie? Can the reader fully conclude that Mr. _ is sincere?
3. What is your opinion towards the argument about Sofia and Shug's masculanity/femininity?
Mackenzie:
1. Why is Celie seem so obsessed with Shug Avery? (25,26)
2. Why is Celie so good to Mr. 's children even though she says she doesn't care about them and they are mean to her? (29)
3. Will Sofia become an influence in Celie's life in regards to fighting back? (42)
4. Would Mr. _ beat Shug?
Up to 129:
1. Why does Shug say "June a good time to go off into the world"? (74)
2. What are Shug's feelings toward Celie? What sexual orientation is she of? ("I love you, Miss Cellie") (113)
Up to 162:
1. What is Walker's purpose in providing so much detail in Nettie's letters?
2. Why did Corraine bring all these changes upon Nettie? (158)
Up to 197:
1. Do you think that Celie stopped writing to God just because Shug is the one who gave her a new perspective? (192)
2. Does Pa mean it when he says, "Too sad a stroy to tell pitiful little growing girls,...Any man would have done what I done"? Was this the real reason he took them?
240:
1. Despite how Mr. treats Celie, do you think that he will miss her?
2. Who has been the biggest influence in Celie standing up for herself and telling off Mr. _? Shug or Nettie?
276:
1 Celie tells Mr. _ that she likes birds. Is she using a bird as a symbol of herself?
2. Does Celie start to have affection for Mr. _? or is she just content with his company? (273)
3. Does Celie forgive Mr. _?
To the end:
1. By using the color purple in her room, what does this say about Celie's attitude at the end of the novel? (284)
2. Is Celie right when she says that Shug is jealous? (284)
3. Why does Celie associate youth with happiness? (288)
Pualani:
(up til. 32) 1)Why doesn't Celie love Mr.'s children, and why do they not love her?
2)When Celie is picking out a dress, why does she choose purple and red as her wanted colors, what do each of the colors mean?
(up til. 64) 1) What is it that makes Shug "evil" and how does that keep her alive?
2) What is the significance of the yellow power which Shug wears? Is Shug hiding something with her appearence?
3) Does Mr. hold more power/ have more meaning now that we know his name is Albert?
(up til.129) 1)Does Shug really love Grady? Why did she marry him?
2)Why does Celie love cutting hair?
3) Why is Shug now allowing herself to feel connected to this "family"?
(up til.162) 1) Why does Nettie tell Olivia that Tashi will grow up to be a strong women when she knows it is not possible?
2) What is the meaning of the roofleaf story and the new growth of the cassava?
3) What do the pants represent? Power?
(up til. 197) 1) Why do the Olinka people treat the workers and invading men so politely when they are ruining the tribe's life?
2) Why does Corrine not want her children near her?
3)Why is it in so many culture that girls are not able to please their families/fathers?
(up til.240) 1) Do Adam and Olivia seen Nettie or Corrine as more of a mother to them?
2) Do people in other countries really want our help or are we forcing our ways on them?
(up til. 276)1) What are the qualities that Tashi and Celie share, and what does they say about the other?
2) Is this inherited house, Celie's first home, and why?
3) What has allowed this connection to form between Albert and Celie?
4) Is Shug more womanly or manly?
(up til.end) 1)What urged Mr _ ask Celie to marry him?
2) Why does Shug want to stop singing in public, does this say anything about her personality changing?
Tawni:
1. Who do you think is the author of the letters thus far?
2. Why doesn' the author of the letters say what Mr. 's name is?
3. How much time do you think passes between each letter?
4. Why is it important that Celie teach Sophia how to drive?
5. Nettie's letters mentions Celie's children a lot. Do you think that this will lead to Celie reconnecting with her children?
[240]
6. What do you think makes Celie stand up for her self?
7. What is the significance of Jack's Pants? [213]
[276]
8. Did Celie fall in love with Shug too fast? [259]
9. Do you precieve Shug as being more masculine or more feminine?
10. What did you think of the new Adam and Eve Story?
[to the end]
11. Why do you think the last letter is written to everyone?
12. Why do you think that "this is the youngest that they ever have felt." (last page)
Karla:
1. Why is Shrug Avery so important to Celie?
2. Why does Harpo decide to confide in Celie?
(129)
1. Why does Mr. hide Nettie's letters from Celie?
2. Who does Shug love most: Celie, Mr. _, or Grady?
(162)
1. The Olinka's believe that girls can only become something to their husbands. During this time, is this view same in America?
2. Why is Corrine becoming jealous of Nettie?
3. What life will Tashi never live?
(197)
1. How does Pa make himself look heroic to Daisy?
2. Why does Corrine not believe Nettie and Samuel with regards to Olivia and Adam?
3. Why does Celie suddenly turn on God?
4. What is so important about the color purple?
(240)
1. What makes Celie gain the courage to stand up to Mr. and leave with Shug?
2. Why does Mr. care that Celie is leaving?
3. In what ways did Mr. change after Celie left? Why is he now scared of Celie?
(276)
1. Why would Tashi undergo the facial sacrification and female initiation ceremony if she previously opposed it?
2. Why didn't Celie want to own her old house? What does God have to do with the house?
3. What does it mean when Celie says "But I'm a woman (251)."
4. Does Mr. love Celie more now?
5. Does liking to sew make Mr. less of a man?
(To end)
1. In what way is Adam a man?
2. What is the lesson that Celie is supposed to learn (283)?
3. Is there any significance in the fact that Celie's room is purple?
4. Why might Celie have addressed her last letter to God and everything else?
Rachel:
(32)
1. Why does Celie admire Shug Avery so much? Is it a look-based admiration because Celie does not know Shug Avery personally?
2. Why doesn't Celie put Mr.'s last name in the blank she leaves?
3. What is "it" (2) that was taken and killed by Him?
(64)
1. What do you think about Old Mr.? Do you have a good or bad first impression of him? Why?
2. Why does Celie feel "just right" (57) sitting between Shug and Mr.?
3. What do you think is the cause of Harpo's constant eating?
(129)
1. Where does the "Old Albert" that Shug describes (122) go?
2. What do you think about the sexual orientations of Shug and Celie? Bisexual? Lesbian?
(162)
1. What is the "light" that Nettie talks about (132)?
2. Why does Corrine ask Nettie to change (157)?
3. What are similarities in Celie's and Nettie's new lives? What about comparisons between their new lives and their old lives with Pa?
(197)
1. Why doesn't Corrine want to believe Nettie's story about her relation to Adam and Olivia at first?
2. Why does Celie stop writing to God and start writing to Nettie?
3. How do you think Celie feels about God changing from a Him to an It?
4. Do you notice parallels in Celie's and Nettie's lives?
(240)
1. Is the humming Harpo, Celie and Sofia hear (220) a hallucination or is it really there? What is it?
2. Why does Mr._ fall apart when Celie leaves? Is it because Shug leaves as well?
(276)
1. Why doesn't Adam accept Tashi after her facial scarification is done if the children love her so much (242)?
2. Why does Celie refuse to speak to Shug and choose to write her responses down on paper instead (250)?
3. Why does the thought of pregnancy make Celie want to cry (254)?
(END)
1. What is the "lesson" Celie talks about (283)?
2. Why does Celie feel "young" again (288)?
3. How did Celie, Shug and Mr._ change? Who changed the most?
Preston: (64)
1) Is it right for Sofia to never back down from fights even if it is against her husband?
2) Why is Celie attracted to Shug so much even if she is not what a normal person would look up to?
Tawni: (page 64)
1. How is Celie's character reflected when she says that she doesn't react physically when she gets mad? (41)
2. What does Celie mean when she says "but she more evil than my mama, and that kept her alive?" (47)
3. What is Celie scared of at the end of her letter on page 52?
Brock (64)
1. What is the significance of the quilt Sophia and Celie are making?
2. Why is Shug Avery so mean when someone else is taking care of her?
(to 129)
1. Why is, "White folks is a miracle of affliction,..." ?
2. Why are Celie's tears so important?
1. On page 132, in the middle paragraph why is the word ignorant italicized and then the know is italicized in the same paragraph?
2. Why would Mr._ wear Shug's dress?
1. Why would talk about God so negatively even though she writes to him?
2. What is "dark" on page 167?
1. What is the significance about singing?
2. What is important about the ending line on page 207?
3. What is so important about the pants? Business?
1. Why does the message in the fortune cookie match Celie's current situation?
2. Why does Tashi decide to run away?
Kelli K
(64)
1. Why does Celie seem surprised by Harpo when he hits Sophia? Wasn't that her advice to him?
2. What is the root of Harpo's sudden eating binge? Is it related to his lack of power over Sophia?
3. What is the situation with Shug Avery and Mr._? Celie? Is she dying?
(129)
1. What's the problem with Celie sitting in the car (104) in this time?
2. What does Sophia mean when she says, "White fols is a miracle of affliction." (106)
3. Why is the Reverend Mr._ left blank in Nettie's letter? (126)
4. What is Walker trying to do by creating this love triangle with Shug, Celie, and Albert? Grady?
(162)
1. Do you think that the Olinka's belief that girls should not be educated (155) was accepted at that time? How would that belief be perceived today?
2. Is Nettie's understanding that Africans helped to play a part in their own slavery (139) justified? How does it make her feel towards her own race?
3. What is the significance of Corrine asking Nettie to change? (157)
(197)
1. What does Celie mean in her last letter to God when she says, "You must be sleep" (177). Is she trying to reason why bad things happen?
2. How do Celie's and Shug's idea of God differ from each other?
3. What is the significance of the title now that we have seen the title line (196-97)?
(240)
1. What compelled Celie to finally stand up for herself and to be so forceful?
2. What is the significance of Celie's new pants/clothing line?
3. What impact does Celie ultimately have on Mr._?
(276)
1. Now it seems that Celie and Mr._have a cordial relationship. What does this relationship change say about Celie's growth?
2. How has Celie's love for Shug changed?
3. Nettie reveals that she know views God as everything like Shug, versus a specific person. Has Celie's image of God changed as well>?
(to end)
1. What is the significance of Celie feeling the youngest she ever felt?
2. How has Celie progressed as a character throughout this novel? How has her perception of God evolved?
3. What is the significance of Adam also receiving facial scars? How does this action portray African males?
4. What do you think Walker's main message is? Is she commenting on living, independence, etc.?
ristin
1: Why do you think the theme of being "alive" is important?
2: Do you think Squeak's "incident" was a matter of gender or race or something else? Why?
1: In your opinion, is Celie a lesbian?
2: How has the relationship between Celie and Shug changed?
3: Do you think Celie's reaction to Nettie's letters is more of shock, surprise or anger?
(162)
1: What is the significance of Nettie writing "Tashi knows she is learning a way of life she will never live"? (160) Does this parallel something else in the novel?
2: Why do you think Nettie mentions teeth in her letter? (149)
3: Does your view of Shug's intentions change when she says "Think about me a little bit. Miss Celie, if you kill Albert, Grady be all I got left. I can't even stand the thought of that." (145)
Lori
(32)
1. Why does Celie address God in her letters?
2. Why do you think Celie is content with doing and feeling nothing? Is she content?
(64)
1. What is the differences between Sophia and Celie? and Shug? What do they each respresent?
2. What is Harpo trying to do when he is constantly eating? What is the importance of this?
(129)
1. Do we see a change in Celie when she says "Make Harpo call you by your real name" to Mary Agnes?
2. How are gender roles switched in the relationships of Sophia and the prizefighter and Shug and Grady?
3. Why is Shug so interested in Nettie? Does this reveal anything about Shug and her relationship with Celie?
(162)
1. What is the differences in the societies in America and that which is in Africa, where Nettie is?
2. How has God played a role in Nettie's and Celie's life? Does Walker intend to relate the message that everything happens for a reason?
3. Is everything coming full circle for Celie?
Corey Kozuma
(32)
1) What is the significance of Celie writing to god in all of her letters?"
2) Why is Celie so attracted to Shug Avery?
(64)
1) How does Celie view Sophia in her own eyes?
2)Why can't Harpo accept the fact that Sophia is bigger than him?
(129)
1)Why does Celie enjoy cutting hair so much?
2)What is the significance of Shug and Celie's talks?
(162)
1) What is the effect of Nettie's letters on Celie? How does Celie resond to them?
2) What is Shug's role during this time while Celie is reading through Nettie's letters?
Rachael
32
1) What is the significance of the author not including names in this book?
2) What does Pa do with the children that he takes from Celie?
3) Why won't Pa let Harpo marry that girl?
64
1) Why does Celie encourage Harpo to beat his wife?
2) why does it always seem like Celie is unaffected by the fact that her husband is in love with Shrug Avery?
129
1) Does Shug really love Mr., Grady, and Celie? Or does is she merely using them for selfish pleasure?
2) What purpose does Shug serve to Celie?
3) Is Shug a reliable character?
4) Why does Millie make Celie sit in the backseat of the car?
162
1)What does Nettie mean on page 160 by "Tashi knows she is learning a way of life she will never live"?
2) Why does Nettie put quotations around "God" on page 133. Does this mean she does not actually believe a god exists?
198
1) What is the significance of the color purple?
2) Why does Celie stop writing to God?
3) Why does Nettie keep repeating the fact that many people think that Celie's children are hers?
240
1) If Celie is not writing to God anymore, but rather Nettie, why does she still say "Amen" at the end of each of her letters?
2)Is Shug a good person?
3) Why does Mr_ have a breakdown after Celie leaves? Does he realize her importance or is it merely just a cry for attention?
276
1)What is the significance of Mr. and Celie's new friendship?
2) Do you think Mr.___ is being honest?
End
1) Celie starts her last letter, "Dear God. Dear stars, dear trees, dear sky, dear peoples. Dear Everything. Dear God." From this, what can we conclude about Celie's perception of God.
2) Does this view change from the beginning of the book?
3) What is the significance of age in this book? Why does Celie always compare happiness with how old she is?