The Color Purple Spirituality and Religion - 1486 Words

Alice Walker states that ‘The Colour Purple remains for her the theological work examining the journey from the religious back to the spiritual. How successful is she in revealing her purpose to the reader? br brIn the preface to ‘the Colour Purple Walker identifies her religious development as the inspiration for her novel and labels religion and spirituality as the principle themes in the book. There are a number of principle characters who complete this journey however in many instances the religious element of the novel is overshadowed by other prominent themes such as personal development, female relationships and racial issues. These must be taken into consideration when assessing Walkers success in delivering her†¦show more content†¦As Shug explains to her the church is somewhere people go to share God, not to find God. According to Shug, it is not surprising Celie felt isolated as she had not yet found God within herself so made it impossible for her to share Him with any one else. br brShug, who was a dominant factor in her personal development, helped Celies desperate situation. This personal development gave Celie the courage Walker refers to in her preface, to bring alive her dormant spirituality and abandon the prescribed form of church based Christianity. Shug builds Celies confidence and in turn helps her to break away from her oppressive lifestyle including Mr., her household duties and the repressive church community. She provides her with a home and the money to start her own business making pants. Shug replaces Nettie as Celies immediate source of strength and hope, although Netties presence returns later when Celie discovers the letters. Again this may not have happened without Shugs help, as she was the one who gave Celie access to her sisters letters. br brWe observe Celies gradual spiritual development throughout the book from the point when Shug arrives to the very end when Celie first addresses her letters Dear God. Dear stars, dear trees, dear sky, dear peoples. Dear everything. Dear God. Her journey can beShow MoreRelatedWomens Rights In Alice Walkers The Color Purple1249 Words   |  5 PagesThe Color Purple, by Alice Walker should not be banned because of many different learning areas throughout the book. These points include Womens Rights, the theme of standing up for yourself, and in the authors perspective of spirituality and religion. The author relates to many features that have occurred in her past. So, in conclusion, although the book as some inappropriate parts, there are many more positive and realistic learning aspects throughout the novel. 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