How Does Walker’s Use of Imagery and Symbolism Affect Your Interpretation of the Novel?
In “The Colour Purple,” Alice Walker uses symbolism, and imagery to affect the reader’s interpretation of the novel through very complex themes of religious influence, oppression and emotion developed from these literary devices. This has a profound influence on the reader’s interpretation of the novel as it suggests certain opinions and points of view to them as well as giving them deeper insight to the emotions of the protagonist
In “The Colour Purple” a strong theme of religious influence and interpretation is developed through use of symbolism and imagery. The fact that the letters are initially addressed to God, an entity in whom the protagonist strongly believes, has a significant symbolic impact on the novel. When Celie’s mother asks where her child came from she says “Its God’s” when clearly, it is her father’s child. The elliptical choice of “God” as the father of the baby is symbolic, and shows that the power her Pa wields over her makes him a God-like figure to her. This is ironic the semantic field of the word “God” holds connotations of an all-powerful and infinitely benevolent entity. The irony of this is that whilst the true father of the baby, her “Pa”, holds a great deal of power over her, he is portrayed as anything but benevolent. If anything, he is more like Satan as he is seemingly the source of all the deplorable aspects of her life. This evokes a great deal of pathos from the reader and also antipathy towards her father. This clearly Illustrates for the reader who the protagonist and antagonists of the novel are
Later in the novel, this symbolism is continued as the protagonist’s perception of God is explored through her dialogue with Shug Avery. Soon after discovering that her sister is still alive, she becomes frustrated and against the idea of praising God, exclaiming “What God do for me?” This is a typical reaction of people who have suffered in life to the concept of God. This anger she feels towards God for letting her suffer so
In “The Colour Purple” a strong theme of religious influence and interpretation is developed through use of symbolism and imagery. The fact that the letters are initially addressed to God, an entity in whom the protagonist strongly believes, has a significant symbolic impact on the novel. When Celie’s mother asks where her child came from she says “Its God’s” when clearly, it is her father’s child. The elliptical choice of “God” as the father of the baby is symbolic, and shows that the power her Pa wields over her makes him a God-like figure to her. This is ironic the semantic field of the word “God” holds connotations of an all-powerful and infinitely benevolent entity. The irony of this is that whilst the true father of the baby, her “Pa”, holds a great deal of power over her, he is portrayed as anything but benevolent. If anything, he is more like Satan as he is seemingly the source of all the deplorable aspects of her life. This evokes a great deal of pathos from the reader and also antipathy towards her father. This clearly Illustrates for the reader who the protagonist and antagonists of the novel are
Later in the novel, this symbolism is continued as the protagonist’s perception of God is explored through her dialogue with Shug Avery. Soon after discovering that her sister is still alive, she becomes frustrated and against the idea of praising God, exclaiming “What God do for me?” This is a typical reaction of people who have suffered in life to the concept of God. This anger she feels towards God for letting her suffer so