The Color Purple by Alice Walker, an Epistolary Novel
Epistolary - a novel told through letters written by one or more of the characters.
+The advantage is that it presents an intimate view of the character's thoughts without interference
from the author.
-A disadvantage of the form is that only the character's (writer's) point of view is portrayed and no
other.
Essay Questions Study Guide (use your own notebook paper to organize questions with quotes):
1 quote per question = F, 2 quotes per question = D, 3 quotes per question = C,
4 quotes per question = B, 5 quotes per question = A -, 6 quotes per question = A+
Essay Topics (find word for word examples that prove each questions from the book = direct
quotes- direct quotes are NOT only what people say, it is anything the author wrote in the book)
DON’T FORGET PAGE NUMBERS!!
1. Dynamic Character- Describe how Celie grows through the book (beginning, middle, and end).
2. Parallelism- What are three ways in which Nettie and Celie are living the same things in
different places when Nettie is in Africa?
3. How does Nettie, Sophia, and Shug influence Celie's life?
4. Compare and contrast Nettie and Celie in-regards to personality, education, and life
opportunities.
5. What is the importance of God through the book (beginning, middle, and end)?
6. Symbolism- Why is this book called The Color Purple? What is the relevance of that? Research
at least three concepts that purple symbolizes and analyze what it does and can symbolize in the
story.
"Test" Analysis Essay
Pick ONE of the SIX essay questions to turn into an essay3 quotes (1 quote per body paragraph with page numbers) = F (possibility of 55 pts/55%)
6 quotes (2 quotes per body paragraph with page numbers) = C (possibility of 75 pts/75%)
9 quotes (3 quotes per body paragraph with page numbers) = B (possibility of 85 pts/85%)
12 quotes (4 quotes per body paragraph with page numbers) = A (possibility of 100 pts/100%)