American South

Africa

The literal rape of Celie at the hands of Alphonso

The rape of Africa by the missionaries, who take with them relics of Africa’s heritage

Celie’s worship of God as "everything" in nature

The worship of roofleaf, divine protector of Olinka

Mr. _______ spiritual journey of repentance

Nettie’s physical journey through Africa

Celie’s, natural, though cruel family in Mr. _______ and Harpo

Nettie’s conceived, though happy family in Samuel, Tashi, Adam and Olivia

The sexism of Mr. _______, as he tells Celie that only men wear pants

Sexism of a different kind. Tashi’s father believes that women should be looked after by others, and as a result, cannot look after themselves

Shug as metaphorical missionary

Nettie and Samuel as literal but ineffective missionaries in Africa

Pa’s quest for profit, hiring his own white boy to run his business

The Seneglese market people’s quest for profit, not wishing to associate with people unless they buy from them

Sisterhood among Shug, Celie, Sofia and Squeak

Sisterhood among the women of Olinka

Celie gives other people their identity through the pants she makes

Olinka stamp their tribe’s identity onto women’s faces to show that their tradition persists

Celie learns through experiences in the 'school of life'

The Olinka are mass educated by the missionaries

Racism highlighted through Corrine’s altercation with the store clerk

Racism highlighted through the interaction between the road-builders and Olinka