The Color Purple Contents
- The Color Purple: Social and political context
- The Color Purple: Religious and philosophical context
- The Color Purple: Literary context
- Textual help
- Letter 1
- Letter 2
- Letter 3
- Letter 4
- Letter 5
- Letter 6
- Letter 7
- Letter 8
- Letter 9
- Letter 10
- Letter 11
- Letter 12
- Letter 13
- Letter 14
- Letter 15
- Letter 16
- Letter 17
- Letter 18
- Letter 19
- Letter 20
- Letter 21
- Letter 22
- Letter 23
- Letter 24
- Letter 25
- Letter 26
- Letter 27
- Letter 28
- Letter 29
- Letter 30
- Letter 31
- Letter 32
- Letter 33
- Letter 34
- Letter 35
- Letter 36
- Letter 37
- Letter 38
- Letter 39
- Letter 40
- Letter 41
- Letter 42
- Letter 43
- Letter 44
- Letter 45
- Letter 46
- Letter 47
- Letter 48
- Letter 49
- Letter 50
- Letter 51
- Letter 52
- Letter 53
- Letter 54
- Letter 55
- Letter 56
- Letter 57
- Letter 58
- Letter 59
- Letter 60
- Letter 61
- Letter 62
- Letter 63
- Letter 64
- Letter 65
- Letter 66
- Letter 67
- Letter 68
- Letter 69
- Letter 70
- Letter 71
- Letter 72
- Letter 73
- Letter 74
- Letter 75
- Letter 76
- Letter 77
- Letter 78
- Letter 79
- Letter 80
- Letter 81
- Letter 82
- Letter 83
- Letter 84
- Letter 85
- Letter 86
- Letter 87
- Letter 88
- Letter 89
- Letter 90
Letter 43
Synopsis of Letter 43
Three years have passed and Sofia has been transferred from working in the prison laundry to work as a full-time prisoner-maid for the mayor’s wife, Miss Millie. Although physically recovered, Sofia still broods on revenge against all white people.
When Celie visits, the Mayor’s six year old son, Billy, tries to kick Sofia, injuring his foot in the process. When Miss Millie tries to blame Sofia for the injury, the youngest child, Eleanor Jane, defends her, though Sofia is not appreciative. However, Celie makes her laugh for the first time in three years.
Commentary on Letter 43
It is ironic that Sofia gets out of prison only to endure another prison sentence as a white woman's maid (the offer she had originally refused). Instead of bringing up her own family, she is made to watch over Miss Millie's children. Sofia and Miss Millie can only have an unequal relationship, the antithesis of that which she has with Celie, Shug, Mary Agnes and her sisters. Despite this, Miss Millie is obviously afraid of Sofia. The depth of Sofia’s antagonism to whites is shown by her contempt even for the one who tries to help her.
Investigating Letter 43
- Begin a fresh character sheet on Miss Millie
- Why do you think she is afraid of Sofia?
- Add to your character study of Sofia.
- Why does she think constantly about killing someone?
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