西洋小說賞析西洋小說賞析 : :

中興大學外文系中興大學外文系副教授周淑娟副教授周淑娟Spring 2014Spring 2014

The Film The Film The Color PurpleThe Color Purple

byby

Stephen SpielbergStephen Spielberg

Final Exam: Week 17Final Exam: Week 17

I. Identification: 10%I. Identification: 10%

II. Short Questions: 9% (choose 3 amoII. Short Questions: 9% (choose 3 among 4) ng 4)

III. Essays: 6%III. Essays: 6% 　　 (choose 1 among 3)(choose 1 among 3)

The Novel:The Novel: by Alice Walker by Alice Walker

Epistolary novel Epistolary novel ((書信體小說書信體小說 ))

---Celie (Silly?) writing to God---Celie (Silly?) writing to God Language: Language:

---ungrammatical, informal, Black English ---ungrammatical, informal, Black English

---Ex.: “I ---Ex.: “I ain’t neverain’t never accept a husband who beats accept a husband who beats me.” me.”

---Ex. : “It sure---Ex. : “It sure don’t don’t taste good.” taste good.”

Some issues to note Some issues to note

Patriarchal tyranny (sexism)Patriarchal tyranny (sexism) Racism (oppression & condescendenRacism (oppression & condescenden

ce )ce ) The double victimization The double victimization ((受害受害 )) of wom of wom

enen

After the filmAfter the film

Patriarchy: Submission and Patriarchy: Submission and ResistanceResistance

bully patriarchsbully patriarchs: construction & dupli: construction & duplicationcation

---Celie’s (adopted) father---Celie’s (adopted) father

---Mister’s (Albert’s) father---Mister’s (Albert’s) father

---Mister (Albert)---Mister (Albert)

---Mister’s son Harpo---Mister’s son Harpo

Patriarchy: Submission and Patriarchy: Submission and ResistanceResistance

Celie’s initial submission to and even Celie’s initial submission to and even perpetuation of patriarchy (probably perpetuation of patriarchy (probably out of jealousy). out of jealousy).

The Black Males’ Tyranny The Black Males’ Tyranny

Violence in all aspects: Violence in all aspects:

---mental---mental

---physical---physical

---sexual---sexual

Patriarchy: Submission and Patriarchy: Submission and RebellionRebellion

Black women who fight for their autoBlack women who fight for their autonomy:nomy:

---Nettie---Nettie

---Shug (against social customs)---Shug (against social customs)

---Sofia---Sofia

Black Women as Double VictimsBlack Women as Double Victims

Abused by husbandAbused by husband Abused by the whitesAbused by the whites

Black women characters who Black women characters who gradually awaken the oppression of gradually awaken the oppression of

patriarchypatriarchy

CelieCelie Mary Agnes (SqueakMary Agnes (Squeak 吱吱叫吱吱叫 ))

Irony Irony

Sofia can resist the black males’ Sofia can resist the black males’ tyranny, but is forced to submit to tyranny, but is forced to submit to that of the whites. that of the whites.

Racism Racism

Lynching of Celie’s natural fatherLynching of Celie’s natural father All those racial abuses: SofiaAll those racial abuses: Sofia The whites’ self-centered condescendThe whites’ self-centered condescend

ing goodwill.ing goodwill. The Western colonization of (intrusioThe Western colonization of (intrusio

n into) Africa.n into) Africa.

The Black’s Exertion of Their The Black’s Exertion of Their Culture Culture

Languages; clothing; ritualsLanguages; clothing; rituals

---The black priest---The black priest

---Nettie and her nephew and niece---Nettie and her nephew and niece

The Meaning of the Title:The Meaning of the Title: “The Color Purple” “The Color Purple”

The beautiful purple flowersThe beautiful purple flowers Love—God’s blessing Love—God’s blessing (the colored people?)(the colored people?)

Master vs. Slave: the Dialectics Master vs. Slave: the Dialectics

Albert’s actual reliance on CelieAlbert’s actual reliance on Celie

The Parts to SkipThe Parts to Skip

Side A: Scene 18-19 (01:01:05)Side A: Scene 18-19 (01:01:05) Side B: Side B:

The Parts to SkipThe Parts to Skip

Side B:Side B: Scene: 1; 5; 14Scene: 1; 5; 14

Thank You