Introduction
Based on the Pulitzer Prize–winning novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple tells the story of Celie, a dark-skinned girl who spends most of her life in the patriarchal South of America. The director immerses the viewer in a difficult social cinema, also raising cultural and religious overtones. However, the main lesson from The Color Purple is that, no matter how desperate the situation may seem, one needs to make every effort to change one’s life for the better, rather than wait for change to happen on its own.
Quote Discussion
Cilly’s life is full of trials – she gives birth to the children of her father twice, and then Cilly is separated from her beloved sister and forcibly made the wife of a certain Mr. He uses her as a babysitter and dishwasher. Only getting to know her husband’s mistress, the free and independent singer ShugaAvory, gives her the necessary impetus to change herself and her life. It is this meeting that gives Strength to understand that “there are no gains without pain”.
When trying to change her life, Cilly faces condemnation not only from whites, but also from her social stratum: “Any woman with character who tries to defend her life, prove that she is not a slave – is driven into the dust and dirt – and not by white exploiters, but by her own black neighbors” (Spielberg, 1985, 0:59:24). It is only after putting in a tremendous amount of effort that Cilly comes to a happy ending.
At the beginning of the film, Cilly is in the position of a victim, and takes the negative attitude of others towards herself for granted. She suffered humiliation from her father, then from her husband, and from society. Cilly says, “I don’t understand how to stand up for myself. I only understand how to live like this, so as not to die”(Spielberg, 1985, 1:54:02). However, after finding her sister’s letters to her husband, Cilly realizes that it is time for a change. She realizes that “one should not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.” Cilly understands that she needs to act right now; otherwise, as during the 20 years that her sister wrote letters, nothing will change.
Cilly is not pretty; she has been insecure since childhood, and she has felt all the horrors of domestic violence. However, despite all the difficulties of life, the woman did not break down; she also showed kindness to everyone she could. Cilly, being despised and humiliated without any reason, was able to keep a human face.
As Nettie said, Cilly “showed her love to everyone who got in her way, even if they did not treat her very well once” (Spielberg, 1985, 1:44:33). She was even able to show sympathy for her husband’s mistress, which is why the latter played almost a key role in Cilly ‘s release. Therefore, the film is also about the need to remain human, even when everything seems to be against you. Anger and hatred will not help; they can only make the situation worse. If a person shows kindness, it is very likely to be returned. Few people can turn away from someone who sincerely wants what’s best for them, so Cilly’s kind attitude toward others also helped her find allies and support in the fight against injustice.
Cilly is getting married, and she has to serve her husband and raise his children from his first wife. She is being separated from her only family member, her sister. Her husband constantly tells her that she is “good for nothing and foolish” and does not consider her opinion in anything (Spielberg, 1985, 0:37:12). From a cheerful teenager, Cilly becomes a frightened woman who is afraid to speak again. She is afraid of change and avoids it, so she remains in a terrible reality.
Another character of this film is Sofia, a brisk woman who decides that a fist is unacceptable when communicating with a woman. Physically strong, she fights back against her father, brothers, and then her husband. She does something completely unthinkable for that era – divorces her husband, not wanting to tolerate such an attitude towards herself. Sofia is not afraid of the changes and difficulties that must be overcome, which is why she successfully steps out of the role of a victim.
Another heroine is the singer Nush, who dresses brightly as a woman and has no shortage of attention from men. She says she is “free to choose a man” (Spielberg, 1985, 0:57:06). Many in that society disapproved of such a person and condemned Nush and her way of life. Cilly, communicating with self–confident women who do not allow men to oppress them, gradually realizes that she is not enslaved. By changing her social circle, she learns from those who have already achieved her goal and applies their experience to her own success.
Cilly felt that she was worse than the others and therefore deserved to be mistreated. She always expected that someday she would become stronger and wiser and be able to protect herself. However, Cilly realized that “he that lives upon hope will die festung”. This thought helps her toaccepted herself for who she is: “Yes, I am a beggar. And certainly, I am black. Maybe I am ugly. I don’t know how to cook. But I exist”(Spielberg, 1985, 1:48:45). Cilly realizes that tomorrow, when she becomes stronger, will never come if she does not act today. This awareness of her importance helped Cilly to defend her rights to a peaceful and happy life.
Conclusion
Thus, the film The Color Purple shows, through the heroine Celie, that wealth can be achieved even when the situation seems hopeless. To do this, one should accept oneself for who one is and understand that, despite one’s shortcomings, everyone deserves to be happy. Moreover, it is necessary to act immediately and not wait for the right time, since the situation will not change through passive observation.
The film The Color Purple promotes the ability to fight for oneself, even if everyone says that a person is not special and will not go far in life. Only energetic, persistent, and self-confident women were able to win their place in life. It was not easy for them, and at the cost of many sacrifices, so the other characters in this picture are trying to humiliate Cilly so that it does not remind them of the fate of those who gave up. Calmness came to the heroines after the significant fatigue of struggle and grief, when the women united and cheered up. Therefore, another important lesson the film teaches is to learn from the experience of those who have already achieved their goal.
Reference
Spielberg, S. (Director). (1985). The color purple [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.