It is Celie’s perseverance and unwavering hope in the goodness of the strong women around her that allows her to survive even the most devastating personal failures by those she loves. Eventually, Celie finds happiness, talent, and her own inner strength. The novel gives a powerful voice to African American women, and explores themes such as identity, overcoming adversity, true loyalty, defining happiness, and connecting with the spirit.
Student Activities for The Color Purple
Essential Questions for The Color Purple
- What does it mean to be happy?
- What are the ways in which a woman must become resilient?
- What are some of the key differences between religion and spirituality?
- How do people go about finding their own identities?
- Why do people need to love, and be loved in return?
- How can writing be a way to explore one’s own inner self, and to heal emotionally?
- How do people overcome adversities in life?
- Can people maintain true loyalty to one another, even after many years?
What is Sickle-Cell Anemia?
The blood disease referenced often in the novel is actually sickle-cell anemia, called so because of the crescent-shaped appearance that carriers with both copies of the hbb gene have in their blood cells. Sickle-cell anemia actually creates a protection against malaria, but if a child has two parents with the hbb gene, he or she may suffer with many complications. According to the Mayo Clinic, complications of sickle cell anemia include:
- Joint and bone pain
- Swelling of the limbs
- Infections and spleen damage
- Stunting of growth
- Damage to the retina
While there are many medications used to treat the symptoms of sickle-cell anemia, the only real cure is through a bone marrow transplant.
Have students read more on this disease, and its connection to yam farming and malaria here:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sickle-cell-anemia/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20303509
- https://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/chromosomes/features/
- https://biology.kenyon.edu/slonc/gene-web/sickle_cell_project/SocialAspects.html
- https://www.helppeoplenow.com/sickle-cell-anemia.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/biology/sickle_cell.html
A Note about Monrovia, Liberia
Monrovia is the capital of Liberia. Liberia was originally settled by former slaves through the American Colonization Society, which was established to help free African Americans resettle in Africa. Liberia means “Land of the Free” in Latin. From 1820-1838, about 20,000 people resettled in or near Monrovia. In 1847, Liberia declared its independence, although it was not recognized by the United States until 1862. Even then, its existence was ignored and denied throughout the years of the Civil War. Liberia soon became a major player in world affairs, including as one of the founding members of the United Nations. For many African Americans who visited Monrovia, Liberia, as Nettie does in her travels to work with the Olinka, it is a bittersweet moment: it is a land where blacks are leaders, but it is also a reminder of the Blacks who sold their fellow brothers and sisters into slavery. Have students learn more about Monrovia, Liberia’s rich history at the following sites:
- https://history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/liberia
- https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/liberia/essays/history/
- https://www.blackpast.org/gah/monrovia-liberia-1821
Buy The Color Purple on Amazon
How Tos about The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Help students explore themes of identity through creative journaling.
Encourage students to keep regular journals where they reflect on personal experiences and connect them to themes from The Color Purple. This practice helps students build self-awareness and deepens their understanding of the novel.
Provide clear journal prompts tied to the novel’s themes.
Share focused prompts such as 'Describe a time you overcame adversity' or 'What does happiness mean to you?'. Using specific questions helps students relate their own stories to Celie's journey.
Model journal writing to set expectations.
Write a brief journal entry in front of the class, using one of your prompts. This demonstration shows students how to express feelings honestly and makes journaling less intimidating for them.
Create a safe, supportive environment for sharing.
Let students choose whether to share their entries aloud or keep them private. Reinforce that respect and confidentiality are valued, helping students feel comfortable opening up.
Connect journal reflections to class discussions.
Invite students to bring insights from their journals into group conversations about identity, resilience, and hope in the novel. This strategy fosters deeper engagement and encourages personal connections with the text.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Color Purple by Alice Walker
What are some quick lesson ideas for teaching The Color Purple in middle or high school?
Try activities like character analysis, exploring themes of identity and resilience, writing letters from Celie's perspective, and discussing historical context. These help students connect to the novel and its powerful messages.
How can teachers address sensitive topics like abuse and sexuality in The Color Purple?
Use age-appropriate language, set clear guidelines for respectful discussion, and offer support resources. Focus on themes of empowerment and overcoming adversity to guide conversations productively.
What are the main themes explored in The Color Purple?
The Color Purple explores identity, overcoming adversity, loyalty, happiness, spirituality, and the importance of strong women supporting each other.
How does The Color Purple connect to topics like sickle-cell anemia and Monrovia, Liberia?
The novel references sickle-cell anemia to highlight health challenges in African American communities. Monrovia, Liberia is discussed through Nettie's travels, connecting students to African history and the legacy of slavery.
What are effective ways to help students understand Celie's character development?
Encourage students to trace Celie's letters for changes in tone, discuss her relationships with Shug and Nettie, and create visual storyboards to showcase her growth in self-worth and identity.
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