The Color Purple: Diction
- “Don’t…”(29).
- “Good enough…”(27).
- “Lay there thinking…”(12).
- “..shame…”(148).
- “…The sky gray…”(182).
- “…. Bright eyes…”(29).
- “…Dear God…”(144).
The bulleted list includes some the interesting diction that can be found in The Color Purple. The diction of the novel is generally low in order to portray Celie’s level of education. In addition, the common use of phrase, “don’t got that…” and “good enough…” reveal an average gloomy tone. However, the author Alice Walker switches back and forth between the uses of average gloomy diction to happy hopeful diction often. I found that the diction was distinctly happier with subject that the main character, Celie, trusts such as her sister Nettie. While there is often more negative diction in reference to people who have treated her wrong, which happen to mostly in men. Likewise the turn in diction leads to overall happier tone in reference to Nettie, which can be seen in the later happier passages of the novel, while it further outlines Celie’s distaste for the male population and Celie’s unhappiness with her life.
I found it very interesting that you made a reference to the fact that the diction used by the author differs when Celie is talking to her sister Nettie rather than when she is speaking about the men in society and her household. I did not notice that deep analysis until you brought it to my attention. I agree that it translates to a much happier tone in association to Nettie's scenes in the novel.
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