The Essays I wrote

Views of Names in The Color Purple (Updated)

Names of characters in The Color Purple, particularly in use by other characters, are significant in not only to show how much respect the character gains, but how they impact themselves and those around them. Names show the character's strength and the independence that they have. Two character names pop out and change: Celie, Albert.

In the beginning of the novel, Nettie (and also Addie Beasley, with her one-time appearance) is the only character who does not speak to Celie demandingly or negatively. Alphonso was always ordering Celie around, and Mr. _'s children were also very demanding. Celie shows that they use her passiveness, her lack of authority, and the fact that she is not their mother to push her around as, "They say Celie, I want dis. Celie, I want dat. Our Mama let us have it" (Walker 16). Mr. _ never speaks to Celie unless he has to. When Celie was still living with Alphonso, Mr. _ always spoke about her with Alphonso while never talking directly to her. Mr. _ avoiding to speak directly with Celie until they are married adds support that Celie is not valued and is seen as an object owned by Alphonso. The first time we hear Mr._ say Celie's name, it is to say, "Celie, git the belt" (22). Mr._ is harsh, abusive, and does not value Celie, and she knows it. When Mr. _'s sister is visiting, she tells him that Celie needs new dresses. Celie notes that his eyes 'say' "It need somethin?" (20). Using 'it' instead of 'she' to show dehumanization. It is obvious that Celie shows no strength or independence, until later when she finds her self-worth and realizes that she herself has value. With the help of Shug standing up to defend Celie, teach her things, motivate her to be independent, and uncovering Nettie's letters and her actual biological parents, Celie finds the strength to achieve self value. In response to Celie's self-discovery and self-acceptance, other characters respond by understanding her value. Before leaving for Memphis, Celie has the strength to ask Mr. _ if any more letters have come from Nettie. This is the most prominent example of her newfound individuality, for when he tries to beat her down, she responds fiercely. Celie curses him out, saying, "I curse you...Until you do right by me, everything you touch will crumble...Until you do right by me...everything you even dream about will fail. I give it to him straight, just like it come to me. And it seem to come from the trees" (206). Mr. _'s attitude toward Celie is completely different when she seems him next, and it shown the moment he speaks to Celie, formally saying, "How you do Celie" (223). Celie, in recognizing her own value and strength, gained the respect of those around her.

Mr. _'s name changes not unlike Celie's own. Celie refers to Mr._ as such throughout almost the entire novel. At one point Celie implies that she forgot his first name, until Shug reminded her, when she says, "Who Albert, I wonder. Then I remember Albert Mr._ first name" (47). The first time Celie refers to Mr._ as Albert is when Shug asked her if she minds if Albert sleeps with her. Celie thinks, "I don't care who Albert sleep with" (76). Celie calls Mr._ how Shug calls him. This is significant because she was just asked what her own opinion was, and so Celie feels a little more important because nobody in Mr. _'s house ever asked her for her thoughts. In the entire book, Celie actually says, "Albert" twice. (284, 287) The rest of the time she calls him Mr._. There are several theories as to why Celie never omits his last name. One is that Walker based him off a real person, and, while not including his name, still wanted readers to know that abuse and domestic degradation of woman is very real and true. Another is that Celie omits the name because she herself obtains the last name, but does not love Mr._ and does not believe that she is truly his wife; therefore, she cuts off his last name to show how she cuts off their relationship. The characters, to show different feelings and views on the same person, use Mr._ or Albert. Those who mainly refer to him as Mr. _ are those who are not emotionally close to him, such as Sofia, Nettie, and Celie. Those who are intimate with him, like Shug, or see themselves superior to Mr. _, like his father, refer to him as Albert. Celie shows the bond she acquires at the end with Mr. _ by calling him and introducing him, along with Shug, to Nettie by his first name: Albert. By introducing Albert and referring to him with, and only with, Shug as her "peoples" (287) to the sister that she has not seen in years, Celie shows that she has an incredible amount of care and emotion for him.

Names carry weight and significance. In The Color Purple names are changed based on the view of the character themselves and the others around them. Their respect they have for themselves and the opinions they have gathered are shown by what they are called. Character development can be shown through the names that are given to the characters and the feelings and respect that they invoke.