Color Purple a Classic

“We use the words "classics" for books that are treasured by those who have read and loved them; but they are treasured no less by those who have the luck to read them for the first time in the best conditions to enjoy them,” stated Italo Calvino. The novel “The Color Purple” written by Alice Walker is suggested to be a classic book, for it’s reflect on the social conflicts, its writing structure and the complexity of the plot. Celie being the protagonist and narrator is face with many struggles from being rape and abused to not fully knowing who she is and truly being happy. Celie is a female African American, poor, ugly, and uneducated, who is dominated by males.

A classic book usually is a book showing social conflicts and traditional views of the time. The novels main conflicts were racism and sexism. The racism taken place was both white on black and black on black. Sofia known as Harpo’s wife was very independent. She refused to submit to anyone that tries to dominate her, so she ends up slapping and denying the mayors wife request, for Sofia to become her maid. This resulted in Sofia being brutally beaten and forced to be the mayor’s maid for 12 years. Later on Sofia has an encounter with Eleanor Jane, mayor’s daughter, and her newborn child. She expects humble words but receives none from Sofia. Sofia stated that his child will grow up to be a racist. This is showing that the racism between black and white is a problem of the time and will take a lot to overcome this. doesn’t want his son to marry Sofia, since she is of low class. This demonstrates the separation between the African American race, allowing to also be mistreated by others. Also the view of the women being the house wife and being beaten by the males was seen as stereotypical view of women. Women being beaten by there husbands were taught to be right in the eyes of Celie, since she was beaten by her stepfather and husband. Celie even suggest Harpo to beat his wife Sofia, to show her who’s authority. But the women of this novel find away of breaking the cycle by talking back and forcing them to change.