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Now married, Samuel and Nettie return to Africa. Tashi has decided to go
ahead with the female circumcision and scarring ceremony, at which Adam
shuns her.
In America, Alphonso, Celie and Nettie’s stepfather has died. Daisy, his fifteen-year-old wife rang in the night to inform Celie of this. The house – though not the money – now belongs to Celie and Nettie. It belonged to them in the first place but due to his greed and need for power Alphonso kept it from them. In acknowledgement of her new found fortune Celie and Shug go out to celebrate, where Celie finds out to her disgust that Shug has fallen for a nineteen year old flute player, named Germaine.
With Shug away, Celie and Sofia’s friendship blossoms. While sixth child Henrietta is ill other people spend their time trying to fix dishes up to make her better. It would seem Albert’s efforts have been the more successful. In discussing Albert’s new hobby – shell collecting – Sofia and Celie visit his house where Albert boasts of his collection and talks to Celie about her attitudes towards men. A short telegram given to Celie from Albert reveals that a ship with Nettie and Samuel on it has been sunk.
Though despite this Celie still receives letters. In letter eighty-six, Tashi and Catherine have joined the ‘mbeles’ tribe. Nettie is worried about returning to America. At the same time, her concept of God is changing. Letter eighty-six is left unsigned as Nettie is informed of Adam’s disappearance.
In Georgia, Celie looks at herself and wonders how anyone could be sexually attracted to her. Celie frequently gets letters from Shug detailing her life in Arizona. Albert, a critter throughout, is now Celie’s best friend and the two discuss life with Shug. Despite ridding herself of Miss Millie, Sofia has problems with Eleanor Jane. She forces both her racist husband and her destructive baby upon her. Celie and Albert talk and talk about Shug Avery, describing what the woman means to both of them. Sewing together, Celie talks to Albert about the African's attitude towards the first story in the Bible.
With the novel reaching its climax, Adam marries Tashi. He joined her and mother Catherine at the 'mbeles' tribe. Tashi has her preconceptions about America, but Adam assures her that he will love her, if no one else does. In Georgia, Sofia is working for Celie as Shug tries in vain to find out news about Nettie. Eleanor Jane is now caring for Henrietta, having realised the way in which Sofia came about to be her mother’s maid. Shug Avery returns and explains that Germaine has now left for college.
In the final letter Celie addresses the spirit – stars, trees, everything. While out in the front, Nettie returns, with Samuel, Olivia, Adam, Tashi, and Celie introduces herself, Shug Avery and Albert. Ecstatic and overjoyed, she ends the letter by saying that this is the youngest she has ever felt.
Written by Matthew Kane [2001]
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