Alice Walker uses direct characterization in The Color Purple. She thoroughly describes the appearances and the physical activity of the characters through nes, occpations, clothing, speech and dialogue.
Names: Alice Walker gives nicknames to many of her characters in The Color Purple. This device is an indication of personality traits. Shug for example, is named for Sugar because she is so desirable. Squeak exhibits mouselike qualities by acting quite and not standing up for herself by letting Harpo push her around. Mr. is called by the honorific "Mr. _" until Celie recognizes her own dignity and worth alongside of him. She then starts calling him by his real name, Albert.
Occupation: One's occupation or job tells a lot about a persons level of control over their own life. Celie's lack of a position other than a wife and housekeeper makes her powerless. Shug and Squeak, who have voices and can make a living by singing have the power to go and do whenever and with whomever they want. Sofia's role as a maid in the mayor's house makes her similar to Celie-powerless. Nettie's job as a missionary and teacher makes her an independent and driven woman. However, Celie does gain more control of her life when she begins making pants and starts her own business.
Clothing: Alice Walker uses the depiction of clothing to represent Celie and her way of life. When Mr._'s sister visits, they are horrified at what Celie is wearing and persuade Mr. _ to buy her new clothes. Shug's beautiful and sexy clothing she wears represents her power and independence as a woman and as an individual. When Celie starts to wear the pants this symbolizes a change in her relationship with men, especially Pa and Mr..
Speech and Dialogue: Celie speaks in a very rural, Southern speech and consistently uses the word "ast" instead of ask. This effect of dialogue is to put the reader right in the middle of Celie's world. Celie lives in a black, rural and largely uneducated world. Throughout the novel, Alice Walker uses Nettie's narration to contrast with Celie's. Nettie's diction makes it clear to the reader she has received much more education and she knows the ways of the world, working as a teacher. This device used in The Color Purple indicates a difference in Nettie and Celie's level of education and experience of the world.
Names:
Alice Walker gives nicknames to many of her characters in The Color Purple. This device is an indication of personality traits. Shug for example, is named for Sugar because she is so desirable. Squeak exhibits mouselike qualities by acting quite and not standing up for herself by letting Harpo push her around. Mr. is called by the honorific "Mr. _" until Celie recognizes her own dignity and worth alongside of him. She then starts calling him by his real name, Albert.
Occupation:
One's occupation or job tells a lot about a persons level of control over their own life. Celie's lack of a position other than a wife and housekeeper makes her powerless. Shug and Squeak, who have voices and can make a living by singing have the power to go and do whenever and with whomever they want. Sofia's role as a maid in the mayor's house makes her similar to Celie-powerless. Nettie's job as a missionary and teacher makes her an independent and driven woman. However, Celie does gain more control of her life when she begins making pants and starts her own business.
Clothing:
Alice Walker uses the depiction of clothing to represent Celie and her way of life. When Mr. _'s sister visits, they are horrified at what Celie is wearing and persuade Mr. _ to buy her new clothes.
Shug's beautiful and sexy clothing she wears represents her power and independence as a woman and as an individual. When Celie starts to wear the pants this symbolizes a change in her relationship with men, especially Pa and Mr..
Speech and Dialogue:
Celie speaks in a very rural, Southern speech and consistently uses the word "ast" instead of ask. This effect of dialogue is to put the reader right in the middle of Celie's world. Celie lives in a black, rural and largely uneducated world. Throughout the novel, Alice Walker uses Nettie's narration to contrast with Celie's. Nettie's diction makes it clear to the reader she has received much more education and she knows the ways of the world, working as a teacher. This device used in The Color Purple indicates a difference in Nettie and Celie's level of education and experience of the world.