Color Purple Comparison

It is often thought that a film based on a novel will rarely fulfill the expectations of readers due to the vast differences and artistic interpretation that is incorporated into the cinematic piece. Fortunately, the Steven Spielberg film The Color Purple is not an example of this Hollywood disappointment. This film adaptation - based off of Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize winner, The Color Purple - is beautifully produced and was awarded the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture. The film stays true to the novel almost word for word throughout the majority of its playing time. Despite this, there are few instances in which Spielberg excluded or altered important ideas in his film that are crucial in the novel. Although the film is powerful and holds many similarities with its printed counterpart, the nonexistent romantic relationship between Shug Avery and Celie, the omission of Celie’s denouncement of God, and the misrepresentation of Sofia all distort the original telling. As an important theme in the novel, Celie disbelieves that anyone could ever love her. Celie has only experienced abuse from older men her whole life and therefore has a strong disposition against them. Celie’s husband, who she refers to as “Mr. ____”, forces her into an abusive relationship. Mr. ____ openly brings the woman he truly loves …show more content…
Both are beautifully written and convey powerful messages about misogyny and racism while telling of the struggles of African American women during the early 1900s. However, there are few discrepancies that alter the main ideas of the original story when both are analyzed. In the film, Spielberg excludes the romantic relationship between Celie and Shug Avery, Celie’s relationship with God, and the profound symbolism that Sofia embodies. Due to this, the novel contains significant and elaborate themes and motifs that the film