Epistolary Form In Alice Walker's The Color Purple

Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple” was written in a unique literary style known as epistolary or letter form. The style was widespread in European literature in the eighteenth century. Contrary to the perceptive narrators common most narratives, walker lets the reader to understand the inner self of a poor black woman. The epistolary method is used throughout the story. Walker seemingly subverts the customary male-dominated literary conventions and affirms her authority as an author by using the genre. It also gives emphasis to the power of letters as a form of communication. Walker purposely uses anonymity by appending her initials as a way of showing the subversion of female voices in life at the time. It could also suggest that she is acting as a representative of the voiceless women of the time.
Walker, in using this genre creates different relationships with the audience reader because the characters seem able to communicate without the author’s restrictions. Furthermore, Walker is able to enhance the …show more content…
By reading Celie and Nettie’s private letters, a reader is able to relate to their characters at a more personal level. Contrary to characteristic epistolary narratives written during this period, Celie is the opposite of a typically courageous, happy and strong protagonist. She is a victim of constant sexual abuse meted by her father. She appears to be in a loveless forced arranged marriage which makes her indecisive and fearful. Nevertheless, readers change with her character and see her develop throughout the novel.
“The Color Purple” is inspirational story. The epistolary connect readers to the protagonist. Use of a personal letter to God offers a believable view of the Celies’ thoughts. Celie’s perspective enables readers to understand her at a more personal level in terms of her life and