How Does Alice Walker Present Racism In The Color Purple

The Color Purple Literature Assignment 1

Alice Walker published The Color Purple in 1982, although the book was set in the early 1900’s. The time is set in the early 1900’s because racism and sexism was a significantly greater widespread problem. Alice Walker vividly portrayed the theme of racism by using setting, harsh language, and the letter format.
The setting and time period of the novel creates instances in the atmosphere where racism is usual, creates disagreements, and affects people’s decisions. Racism is common and apparent in society during the early nineteen hundreds, which justifies the characters actions and discriminations against both women and African Americans. Celie notices Shug and observes, .She busy looking at a magazine.

The harsh language used by the characters in The Color Purple reflects racist thoughts to express the gravity of the situation that hasn’t been addressed in that time. Nettie noticing the popular views of people in the South, “Not only were Africans savages, they were bumbling, inept savages, rather than their bumbling, inept brethren at home,” (Walker, 1982, p. 238). This illustrates the extremity of prejudice, and because of the language used, the theme was more obvious. This intends that what people perceive of colored people is based on little to no fact, and the use of language creates a hostile environment. Racist actions were prominent in the book, created by the time period and setting. Daisy bluntly states, “Whitefolks lynch him,” (Walker, 1982, p. 183). This shows that the actions of “white folks” display racism in the novel. This means that the language used can display the actions of the people in that period, and the effects of their thoughts. The harsh and candid language expresses the severity of racism in the book’s environment. Celie and Mr.___ are discussing terms, when Mr.___ cries, “You black, you pore, you ugly, you a woman,” (Walker, 1982, p. 209). This shows how all of the character’s interact, and displays examples of their lives in that period. This means that the minorities were treated differently, and since Celie was both colored and a woman, she wasn’t as respected as one who was white or