Throughout The Color Purple, by Alice Walker, Celie and Nettie both go through phases of religious beliefs. For the two sisters, God is a very important figure in their lives. As the book comes to a close, their religious beliefs are changed.
In the beginning of the book, Celie experiences harsh times and talks to God as a way of letting her feelings out. Celie explains to her mother about her new born baby when she says,
It is obvious that in her time of need Celie depends on God to help her through her problems. Her child was a baby from God and by saying so it proves that she has enough faith in him to tell her mom that. Also in the beginning of the book, Nettie makes no reference towards God and it doesn’t seem as though she cares much for him. Celie is at first more concerned about staying in touch with Nettie, telling her,
Since Celie believed in writing letters to God she believed it would be best for Nettie to do the same. Although this quote was trying to portray the idea of Nettie writing to Celie, I still believe that it could be interpreted in a different way. This way is that, it would be best for Nettie to write letters to God to aid her yet she never did. For this reason, Nettie’s faith in God has not yet been outlined in the book. In the beginning, Celie and Nettie have different feelings towards God and how necessary it is to converse with him.
Later on in the story, the girls view on religion has changed. Celie begins to lose faith in God when she starts to address her letters to Nettie instead of God. Here she proves that Nettie is more important to her than God is,
I feel that, because Celie is finally seeing the better side of things that she begins to loosen up and not feel like there is nobody to talk to her. God is now a back up support system to Celie and now that she no longer feels as much pain then she has before, she no longer needs a very strong support system. This is why she begins to write to Nettie. Also since Nettie has written her letters she feels like she should write back to Nettie. A letter that Nettie sent from Africa refers to her new profession as a missionary. The letter states,
Here, it is obvious that Nettie is making improvement and her religious beliefs are finally becoming highlighted more carefully. As a missionary, Nettie has the responsibility to share her religious beliefs with the people of Africa. This has forced her to become more religious. God is now a very important aspect in her life. By now, the two sisters remain on different sides when thinking about God. Celie’s vision has turned around as she begins to write letters to Nettie. On the other hand, Nettie shares her beliefs with other people to inspire the people of Africa of the fortunes that come from believing in God.
In the book, the faith in God is very important, yet it can be questioned as to how powerful the belief in him is. Could some of the characters be expressing their feelings to God but not actually feeling complete faith for him? What I am trying to point out is, Celie only writes to God when she needs help. While Nettie although she did not show her faith in God in the beginning still tries to share the religion with others. This proves that Nettie does believe that there is a God and that he is the answer to people’s problems. To prove that Celie’s faith in God is questionable she states,
What this is saying is that Celie would be happy if she was dead, then she wouldn’t have as many problems. On the other hand, her feelings of death is allieved when she thinks about God aiding her. This proves that Celie mainly looks to God as the answer to the multiple problems she faces in her life. Although she feels that she strongly believes in God, she never really expresses it without having to ask him for a favor. Is this really having true faith in God?
Nettie on the other hand, shares the beauty of religion to other members of the Olinka tribe. God has become a major aspect in her life. Nettie expresses her true belief in God when she states.
Obviously, Nettie has not lost faith in Celie’s existance and trusts in God that she is okay. Her knowledge about him is very strong and she understands what it means to sacrifice something for what you love. Her view on God has changed drastically since the beginning of the book.
Nettie makes a good point when she says that God is not to be looked at as a figure but as a spirit. If referred to as a roofleaf or a white man, it takes away from the essence and true nature of believing in God. God is a spirit that helps guide many believers. As a missionary, Nettie has become very knowledgeable about religion especially about God.
Nettie and Celie’s views on God have changed many times during the book. In the beginning Celie was a strong believer in God, while Nettie had no reason to have as much faith in him. Later on, Celie’s faith in God decreases as Nettie shares her religion with the Olinka tribe as she did so her appreciation of God rose. In the book, Celie’s belief in God could be questioned as fake, yet Nettie’s is proven to be pure and loyal to God. Religion was a major aspect in The Color Purple.
In the beginning of the book, Celie experiences harsh times and talks to God as a way of letting her feelings out. Celie explains to her mother about her new born baby when she says,
“She ast me bout the first one whose it is? I say God’s. I don’t know no other man or what else to say.” (2)
It is obvious that in her time of need Celie depends on God to help her through her problems. Her child was a baby from God and by saying so it proves that she has enough faith in him to tell her mom that. Also in the beginning of the book, Nettie makes no reference towards God and it doesn’t seem as though she cares much for him. Celie is at first more concerned about staying in touch with Nettie, telling her,
“I say write. She say, What? I say, Write. She never write.” (18)
Since Celie believed in writing letters to God she believed it would be best for Nettie to do the same. Although this quote was trying to portray the idea of Nettie writing to Celie, I still believe that it could be interpreted in a different way. This way is that, it would be best for Nettie to write letters to God to aid her yet she never did. For this reason, Nettie’s faith in God has not yet been outlined in the book. In the beginning, Celie and Nettie have different feelings towards God and how necessary it is to converse with him.
Later on in the story, the girls view on religion has changed. Celie begins to lose faith in God when she starts to address her letters to Nettie instead of God. Here she proves that Nettie is more important to her than God is,
“Dear Nettie, I don’t write to God no more. I write to you.” (192)
I feel that, because Celie is finally seeing the better side of things that she begins to loosen up and not feel like there is nobody to talk to her. God is now a back up support system to Celie and now that she no longer feels as much pain then she has before, she no longer needs a very strong support system. This is why she begins to write to Nettie. Also since Nettie has written her letters she feels like she should write back to Nettie. A letter that Nettie sent from Africa refers to her new profession as a missionary. The letter states,
“Anyways, when I don’t write to you I feel as bad as I do when I don’t pray, locked up in myself and choking on my own heart.” (130)
Here, it is obvious that Nettie is making improvement and her religious beliefs are finally becoming highlighted more carefully. As a missionary, Nettie has the responsibility to share her religious beliefs with the people of Africa. This has forced her to become more religious. God is now a very important aspect in her life. By now, the two sisters remain on different sides when thinking about God. Celie’s vision has turned around as she begins to write letters to Nettie. On the other hand, Nettie shares her beliefs with other people to inspire the people of Africa of the fortunes that come from believing in God.
In the book, the faith in God is very important, yet it can be questioned as to how powerful the belief in him is. Could some of the characters be expressing their feelings to God but not actually feeling complete faith for him? What I am trying to point out is, Celie only writes to God when she needs help. While Nettie although she did not show her faith in God in the beginning still tries to share the religion with others. This proves that Nettie does believe that there is a God and that he is the answer to people’s problems. To prove that Celie’s faith in God is questionable she states,
“It’s worse than that, I think. If I was buried, I wouldn’t have to work. But I just say, Never mine, never mine, long as I can spell G-o-d I got somebody along.” (17)
What this is saying is that Celie would be happy if she was dead, then she wouldn’t have as many problems. On the other hand, her feelings of death is allieved when she thinks about God aiding her. This proves that Celie mainly looks to God as the answer to the multiple problems she faces in her life. Although she feels that she strongly believes in God, she never really expresses it without having to ask him for a favor. Is this really having true faith in God?
Nettie on the other hand, shares the beauty of religion to other members of the Olinka tribe. God has become a major aspect in her life. Nettie expresses her true belief in God when she states.
“These are the thoughts I don’t pursue with the children, only with my beloved companion, Samuel, who advises me not to worry, to trust in God, and to have faith in the sturdiness of my sister’s soul.” (257)
Obviously, Nettie has not lost faith in Celie’s existance and trusts in God that she is okay. Her knowledge about him is very strong and she understands what it means to sacrifice something for what you love. Her view on God has changed drastically since the beginning of the book.
“God is different to us now, after all these years in Africa. More spirit than ever before, more internal. Most people think he has to look like something or someone-- a roofleaf or Christ-- but we don’t. And not being tied to what God looks like frees us.” (257)
Nettie makes a good point when she says that God is not to be looked at as a figure but as a spirit. If referred to as a roofleaf or a white man, it takes away from the essence and true nature of believing in God. God is a spirit that helps guide many believers. As a missionary, Nettie has become very knowledgeable about religion especially about God.
Nettie and Celie’s views on God have changed many times during the book. In the beginning Celie was a strong believer in God, while Nettie had no reason to have as much faith in him. Later on, Celie’s faith in God decreases as Nettie shares her religion with the Olinka tribe as she did so her appreciation of God rose. In the book, Celie’s belief in God could be questioned as fake, yet Nettie’s is proven to be pure and loyal to God. Religion was a major aspect in The Color Purple.
