Monday, February 23, 2009

Novel vs. Movie

Alice Walker’s The Color Purple has been depicted in two literary forms – a movie and book. The movie is surprisingly true to the book. There are a few differences that I believe take away from the integrity of the novel. In the novel, Celie finds Nettie’s letters that Mr. hid from her in his chest. In the movie the letters were kept underneath a floorboard, underneath the locked chest. I believe that although subtle, this difference is significant. In the novel, Mr. just tucking away the letters in the chest portrayed how Mr. thought of Celie. He knew that she would never go against his wishes and open the chest, so he did not take any extreme measures to conceal the letters. Also, a few of the characters (like Sophie’s children) had more of a presence in the movie than the book. I was glad that the story of Sophie remained the same. It was important for the viewer to see the scenario that unfolded on Christmas with her family and to observe the unjust life that she was forced to lead.

One of the main things that I missed in the movie was the close interaction with Celie (the writer of the letters). The narrator in the movie reads some of her letters at certain intervals, but the innocent, almost child-like voice that I heard in the book was not apparent. I think that the reader doesn’t connect with the main character as much in the movie. Also the story of Nettie in Africa remained the same. Not as much time was spent on her letters (so far in the movie) unlike the book, which I was glad for as I found them rather dull and repetitive. I did enjoy being able to put a face with all of the different characters in the book though. Mr. is not how I pictured him nor was Shug. But Celie was the most similar to what I had envisioned. All and all, I think that the common phrase “the book is always better” remained true for this story.

Monday, February 16, 2009

"The Color Purple"

The Color Purple by Alice Walker was a very powerful and moving piece of literature and I am so glad that we were required to read it. This novel has received nationwide recognition and won many awards. I wanted to respond to a review by The New York Times entitled “Some Letters Went to God.” Mel Watkins, the author, describes the major theme as the “estrangement and violence that mark the relationships between Miss Walker’s black men and women.” I agree with this and can give numerous examples throughout the novel. We are introduced to Celie very abruptly in her first letter to God where she is being raped by her step father. As the book progresses she recounts numerous occasions of beatings and sexual encounters with her stepfather and arranged husband (Mr.). Celie’s letters show a sign of acceptance and resignation at the beginning of the book that this is how life is going to be, and there is nothing she can do about it. As the book progresses and her letters become more defined, Celie gains the strength needed to break away from her oppressive life. It struck me about halfway through the novel that African Americans have been fighting for their freedom for as long as they have had a presence in America. Since this is the case, how could they treat some of their own (women especially) as slaves? This just goes to show that the cycle of hatred and supremacy has effects that last beyond the originator’s lifetime.

Watkins also commented on the authenticity of the novel’s folk voice. I enjoyed reading Celie’s letters and comparing them to Nettie’s. Nettie received an education which reflected in her writing skill. Even though Celie was never formally educated, she possessed an ability to ponder and question things that were well beyond Nettie’s realm. I was much more interested in Celie’s letters and of her lifetime struggle against male dominance.

The New York Times review can be found at the following website: http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/10/04/specials/walker-color.html

Sunday, February 8, 2009

The Reconstruction to the New Negro Renaissance

The literature of “The Reconstruction to the New Negro Renaissance” is very different than our previous reading assignments. My group presented last week on the literature of slavery and freedom which had a completely different approach. The works in the period from 1746-1865 strived to make blacks seen as not a different species, but as part of the whole human race. Different authors such as David Walker and Frederick Douglass stressed the need for a rebellion and to take a stance against white oppression. The literature from 1865-1919 had a completely different feel for me. In a way it seemed utterly hopeless. “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay seemed to accept the fact that lynching’s could occur to anyone at anytime… the only request was for dignity in death.

Another reading that really brought about some strong emotions for me was “The Haunted Oak” by Paul Laurence Dunbar. This work drew an interesting perspective of a lynching from an outside viewpoint (the tree itself). Dunbar wrote of the “the judge, he wore a mask of black, and the doctor one of white, and the minister, with his oldest son, was curiously bedight.” What a horrible line to reference – but it shows how the violent murders of blacks were considered an acceptable event. The judge is one that is supposed to interpret and uphold the law. The doctor takes an oath to care for those in discomfort and pain. Last but not least, the minister took an oath to God and is brutally murdering His children. These 3 occupations are perhaps the most prestigious and respectable positions in society. They call for a lifetime commitment to society to better it – and that is not what this poem shows. I have read multiple nonfiction books about the south back in those days, but nothing can quite evoke the same emotions as a poem like “The Haunted Oak.”