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 45
Synopsis of Letter 45
Shug reappears for a Christmas visit to Albert and Celie, bringing them a surprise - a new dark blue Packard and her new husband, Grady. He is skinny, with big teeth and both Albert and Celie dislike him on sight, although Shug does not notice their jealousy.
Commentary on Letter 45
The story now shifts back to the relationship between Celie and Shug. The reappearance of the singer reawakens Celie's interest in herself and her appearance, although initially she feels plain and insignificant again. Both Albert and Celie are hurt at being displaced by Grady, yet Shug seems totally oblivious.
Note here the way in which Shug takes charge of everyone, ordering Grady about, telling Albert he must learn to drive and behaving in rather a masculine way. She is obviously successful and wealthy, but her behaviour here is not considerate, especially towards Celie.
Investigating Letter 45
- Begin a new character sheet for Grady on a page of A4 paper
- Why do you think Shug behaves in such an inconsiderate way when she comes back to Albert’s home?
- How is the male-female power balance shifting at this point in the novel?
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