The Color Purple

The Color Purple

by

Alice Walker

The Color Purple: Letter 52 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Nettie's first letter describes the immediate aftermath of her departure from Celie's and Mr. ____'s house, when Mr. ____ chased her down the road and tried to drag her into the woods and rape her. Nettie fought back, and Mr. ____ vowed that she would never again be able to communicate with Celie.
Mr. ____ was not content simply to let Nettie leave. Instead, he did everything he could to get her to become his mistress, and his desires for Nettie, here, perfectly echo Pa's desires for his own children.
Themes
God and Spirituality Theme Icon
Men, Women, and Gender Roles Theme Icon
Violence and Suffering Theme Icon
Self-Discovery Theme Icon
Nettie fled into the town and stopped at the Reverend's house, where Celie had told her to go. Nettie recognized the young girl, the Reverend's daughter Olivia, as having Celie's eyes.
Nettie, like Celie, recognizes Olivia's parentage by the color and shape of her eyes, which resemble her mother's to an uncanny degree.
Themes
God and Spirituality Theme Icon
Men, Women, and Gender Roles Theme Icon
Violence and Suffering Theme Icon
Self-Discovery Theme Icon