Click on the links below to read information on the key quotations for . . .
Below are the ten most important quotations from letters forty-six to
sixty in the novel. Learning, knowing and having the ability to recall
important quotations in an AS Level examination puts you in an
advantageous position, as it saves you the time of having to search
through the book in attempt to find a relevant reference.
"I don’t sleep. I don’t cry. I don’t do nothing. I’m cold
too. Pretty soon I think maybe I’m dead."
Letter 50, as the old subservient Celie dies away, a new
vindicative one is born in the light of the news that Nettie is alive.
"People who need Christ and good medical advice."
Letter 55, Nettie is here guilty perhaps of seeing Africa through
an American eye.
"That’s why the bible says Jesus Christ had hair like lamb’s
wool. Lamb’s wool is not straight, Celie. It isn’t even curly."
Letter 56, while Celie uncovers the truth about her life, Nettie
realises the truth about God in Africa.
"It is run by white people and they don’t say anything about
caring about Africa, but only about duty."
Letter 56, Alice Walker voices her opinion on Christian charity.
"She says an African daisy and an English daisy are both flowers,
but totally different kinds."
Letter 56, Nettie shares the attitudes of an old English missionary.
"From Africa they have thousands of vases, jars, masks . . . and
they are all so beautiful it is hard to imagine that the people who made
them don’t still exist."
Letter 57, Nettie admires the work in British museums, but like
Samuel’s Aunt Theodosia does not understand the significance of what is
laying before her.
"Millions and millions of Africans were captured and sold into
slavery—you and me Celie!"
Letter 57, Nettie realises why Africa is so weak. The best people
they had were sold.
"The president talked a good bit about his efforts trying to
develop the country and about his problems with the natives, who don’t
want to work to help build the country up."
Letter 58, Nettie, on a man who knows little about the country or
its people.
"Us sleep like sisters, me and Shug."
Letter 60, the theme of sisterhood and idea of unity and sharing is
explored here.
"A needle not a razor in my hand."
Letter 60, economic liberation and independence are things soon to
follow for Celie.
Written by Matthew Kane [2001]
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