Existential Predicaments of Celie in the Color Purple of Alice Walker

Abstract

The novel, “The Color Purple” is a triumphant story of Celie. The chief character Celie’s narrative begins with her victimization. She suffers the tyranny of the people and gradually overcomes her disadvantages and achieves a sense of self-worth. She begins to write letters to share her extreme depression and suppression. Her letters are addressed to God who is her usual addressee as she does not know to whom else she can write and share her inner conflict and silent suffering. This is because of her being raped repeatedly by her stepfather and also warned by him that it would be better for her not to communicate it anyone about this at least not anyone except to God. And also she convinces herself that she has been a constant source of exploitation and had no hope (or) desire to know her body. She shows a state of her degradation and fear of losing her life and shelter once for all.