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 46
Synopsis of Letter 46
Grady and Albert drink throughout Christmas while Celie and Shug regain a little of their friendly intimacy. Shug tells Celie how she met Grady, not noticing that Celie is upset. She admits that she now regards Albert as a member of the family rather than as a lover.
Celie confesses to Shug that she is still ‘a virgin’ and that although she and Albert do try to make love, Celie does not enjoy the experience.
Commentary on Letter 46
Shug is now a very successful singer and on familiar terms with blues singer Sophie Tucker and Duke Ellington, the famous African-American musician. However, despite the fact that she has made a great deal of money and has bought a brand-new car and a house in Memphis, note that she and Grady had to drive all night to reach Albert’s house because there was nowhere for them to stay while they were on the road.
Investigating Letter 46
- Add to your character notes on Shug and Celie
- What point is Walker making about black and white social status?
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