Now I know that this was initially Sam Land’s idea, but I think she told everyone about it. What do you guys think about the ending not being real, but a view of Heaven?
When I initially read the ending I was so happy and surprised that The Color Purple ended on such a high note. Then I got a call from Sam and she said that she thinks Celie died, and that the ending isn’t real. No!!! But then I thought about it some more and I think that it might be true.
One obvious factor is the announcement about the Nettie’s boat sinking. “They think you all drowned. Plus, the same day, all the letters I wrote to you over the years come back unopen (255).I think that maybe Celie died of a broken heart or possibly suicide. Right before this announcement, Shug leaves Celie for a younger man. “My heart broke. Shug love somebody else” (247). Celie writes things like “I pray to die,” and “What good is anything? Being alive begin to seem like a awful strain” (255) which may suggest giving up or suicide.
Also, Celie’s relationships start to become reconciled immediately after this, particularly with Mr._____. And the next chapter all seems to be conversations with people about the world, resolving it, and then waiting, sort of like a purgatory.
The last chapter begins very differently than the others, saying. “Dear God. Dear Stars, dear trees, dear sky, dear peoples. Dear Everything. Dear God.” This is the first time she addresses God personally after she starts addressing Nettie. In this chapter, Celie addresses Mr_____ with his real name, Albert, is reunited with Shug and her long lost family, with everyone around her that she loves. Like Heaven.
tori.... you stole my idea!!! ahhh that was one i was gonna write about!!! lol anyways, yes i defintitely believe this is the ending and i believe that it interestingly enough more cathartic than her being alive. just because when you look at everything she has come through and all that she has overcome, it doesnt seem realistic that one, shug is back to her and that nettie survived after her boat sank. it gives us a internal hope that heaven is in her mist and she finally reached a place where hope has been restored for her.
I never even thought of this until Sam brought it up when we were discussing the book. I think that it has its merits, but I don't know if I want the book to end like that. I have mixed feelings about it. I was totally happy with the ending; I was glad that Celie will finally get to form a relationship with her children, and she'll finally be together with all of the people she loves.
As I was reading, I explained the different start of the letter as being different because of the happiness that she was feeling since Nettie was home. She's so happy that she's writing to the whole world; she wants everyone and everything to know that Nettie has come back to her. I just assumed that Nettie's ship sinking was a rumor, and that the information had just been relayed to Celie incorrectly.
So, I'd really be happy with either ending; I just hadn't considered the Heaven one.
Now I know that this was initially Sam Land’s idea, but I think she told everyone about it. What do you guys think about the ending not being real, but a view of Heaven?
ReplyDeleteWhen I initially read the ending I was so happy and surprised that The Color Purple ended on such a high note. Then I got a call from Sam and she said that she thinks Celie died, and that the ending isn’t real. No!!! But then I thought about it some more and I think that it might be true.
One obvious factor is the announcement about the Nettie’s boat sinking. “They think you all drowned. Plus, the same day, all the letters I wrote to you over the years come back unopen (255).I think that maybe Celie died of a broken heart or possibly suicide. Right before this announcement, Shug leaves Celie for a younger man. “My heart broke. Shug love somebody else” (247). Celie writes things like “I pray to die,” and “What good is anything? Being alive begin to seem like a awful strain” (255) which may suggest giving up or suicide.
Also, Celie’s relationships start to become reconciled immediately after this, particularly with Mr._____. And the next chapter all seems to be conversations with people about the world, resolving it, and then waiting, sort of like a purgatory.
The last chapter begins very differently than the others, saying. “Dear God. Dear Stars, dear trees, dear sky, dear peoples. Dear Everything. Dear God.” This is the first time she addresses God personally after she starts addressing Nettie. In this chapter, Celie addresses Mr_____ with his real name, Albert, is reunited with Shug and her long lost family, with everyone around her that she loves. Like Heaven.
tori....
ReplyDeleteyou stole my idea!!! ahhh that was one i was gonna write about!!! lol anyways, yes i defintitely believe this is the ending and i believe that it interestingly enough more cathartic than her being alive. just because when you look at everything she has come through and all that she has overcome, it doesnt seem realistic that one, shug is back to her and that nettie survived after her boat sank. it gives us a internal hope that heaven is in her mist and she finally reached a place where hope has been restored for her.
I never even thought of this until Sam brought it up when we were discussing the book. I think that it has its merits, but I don't know if I want the book to end like that. I have mixed feelings about it. I was totally happy with the ending; I was glad that Celie will finally get to form a relationship with her children, and she'll finally be together with all of the people she loves.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading, I explained the different start of the letter as being different because of the happiness that she was feeling since Nettie was home. She's so happy that she's writing to the whole world; she wants everyone and everything to know that Nettie has come back to her. I just assumed that Nettie's ship sinking was a rumor, and that the information had just been relayed to Celie incorrectly.
So, I'd really be happy with either ending; I just hadn't considered the Heaven one.