Study Questions & Essay Topics
Study Questions
1. How would you
describe the relationship between Mr. ______ and his father, and
the relationship between Harpo and Mr. ______?
2. What does the
way the community reacts to Shug's illness say about the status
of women?
3. Why do the
Olinka not identify with Samuel, Corrine, and Nettie on the basis
of race?
Suggested Essay Topics
1. Describe Celie's relationship
with Shug. How does it change? What is significant about Shug's
last fling, with the young man named Germaine?
2. Consider the seemingly ideal
world of family and friends that surrounds Celie at the end of the
novel. What are the gender roles in this world like? Do you see
any benefits or problems with Walker's vision?
3. What role do you think Sofia
plays in the novel? Describe her character and how she contributes
to the themes in the book.
4. How are Celie's letters to
God similar to the African-American slave narratives collected in
the 1930s? How are they
different?
5. Why does Sofia tell Miss Millie
“Hell no” when she offers Sofia a job as her maid? What is offensive
about Miss Millie's behavior prior to Sofia's response?
