The Color Purple
by Alice Walker
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Table of Contents
The Color Purple: Introduction
1.
Overview
2.
Alice Walker Biography
3.
One−Page Summary
4.
Summary and Analysis
5.
Quizzes
6.
Characters
7.
Themes
8.
Historical Context
9.
Critical Overview
10.
Essays and Criticism
11.
Suggested Essay Topics
12.
Sample Essay Outlines
13.
Compare and Contrast
14.
Topics for Further Study
15.
Media Adaptations
16.
What Do I Read Next?
17.
Bibliography and Further Reading
18.
Introduction
The Color Purple, Alice Walker's third novel, was published in 1982. The novel brought fame and financial
success to its author. It also won her considerable praise and much criticism for its controversial themes.
The Color Purple
1
Many reviewers were disturbed by her portrayal of black males, which they found unduly negative. When the
novel was made into a film in 1985 by Steven Spielberg, Walker became even more successful and
controversial. While she was criticized for negative portrayal of her male characters, Walker was admired for
her powerful portraits of black women. Reviewers praised her for her use of the epistolary form, in which
written corresponden