Color Purple the Awakening and Jane Eyre Term Paper

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Color Purple- Film and Book

The Color Purple is a deeply through-provoking and highly engrossing tale of three black women who use their personal strength to transform their lives. Alice Walker's work was published in 1982 and it inspired Steven Spielberg so much that he began working on its film version as soon as the novel won accolades for its brilliant storyline and powerful narrative. However the movie, though it won eleven Oscar nominations, wasn't as compelling as the novel. The major difference lied in the presentation of the horrifying stories of three leading female characters. While Walker concentrated on accentuation of their bleak and ugly world, Spielberg focused more on the fairytale aspect of their tales and the fact that they eventually overpowered their helplessness. The opening scenes can serve as an excellent example of the difference of approach that set the book apart. The first few pages concentrate mainly on the helplessness of Celie who goes through traumatic experiences at the young age of fourteen. On the other hand, the film opens with Celie and Nettie playing in a picture-perfect setting while Quincy Jones' score runs in the background.
This difference is so pronounced that it sets different tones for the film and the novel. While the opening scenes in the book, prepare the readers for heart wrenching stories of three female characters, the movie promises a more uplifting cinematic experience. The novel contains a strong feminist streak, which is effectively portrayed on screen too. The lesbian love affair between Shug and Celie was the boldest feminist statement of the time "All the men got they eyes glued to Shug's bosom. I got my eyes glued there too" (pg. 82) and it was meant to shatter the restrictive relationship structure that exists in our societies. Blatant hatred for men prevails as Celie writes: "Whenever you trying to pray, and man plop himself on the other end of it, tell him to git lost, say Shug" (179) Thus feminism issue was not tackled in subtle ways but Walker declared an all-out war against men which is skillfully captured by Spielberg in the film version of The Color Purple.

JANE EYRE AND THE AWAKENING

Feminism also underscores the character of Jane and Edna in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre and Kate.....

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