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Letter 87
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Color Purple, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
God and Spirituality
Race and Racism
Men, Women, and Gender Roles
Violence and Suffering
Self-Discovery
Summary
Analysis
Nettie writes to Celie, saying that Adam and Tashi have returned from the mbeles, where they saw a large number of Africans, from various tribes, living together and attempting to counteract English rule.
Again, it is not clear whether the mbeles want a revolutionary overthrow of colonial forces, or simply a space for Africa villages to coexist with the English.
Themes
Samuel and Nettie decide to go back to America, however, because the Olinkan village has shrunk drastically, and most have left it to help the mbeles. Adam wishes to marry Tashi, and to prove this fact, he undergoes her same facial scarification ritual. Tashi takes this as evidence of the seriousness of his request, and their marriage is sealed and celebrated. This new family—Nettie, Samuel, Olivia, Adam, and Tashi—are now to head back to the US.
Adam's gesture to receive the same facial tattooing that Tashi did is an indication of his desire and willingness to be an equal to her. His love is not one of domination but of sharing. The return to America heightens anticipation of a reunion between Nettie and Celie, and Celie and her long lost children.
Themes
