The Color Purple, a novel by Alice Walker is an accurate description of the life of a black female in racist rural Georgia during the mid 1900's. The main character Celie, with the help of others, learns valuable lessons of faith, sexuality, self-respect, and racism; all lessons that will better her life as well as her as a person as the story progresses. The text is littered with phrases and quotes that describe symbolism, themes, and other important elements of the book. I, however, chose the five that BEST describe the lessons that this book is trying to relate to the reader.

In the beginning of the novel Alphonso, Celie's step-father, is approached by Mr. __ concerning his interest in marrying Celie's sister, Nettie. Nettie is favored by Alphonso over Celie, and he is reluctant to let his favorite daughter marry Mr. _. Alphonso offers Mr. __, his "ugly" daughter Celie...