Final Paper- The Color Purple

Length: 1500 words

Sources: 7 peer-reviewed

You must upload your paper to Canvas as a Word document.

Description: Many literary scholars have examined Alice Walker’s The Color Purple and Stephen Spielberg’s visual interpretation. In this paper, you will draw the visual text into conversation with Richard Wright’s memoir (Black Boy). Your paper should include the following discussion points:

Although Wright’s memoir is highly effective in proclaiming agency for African American men, scholars criticize his failure to credit the accomplishment of Black women in his life and how their influence must have enabled him on some level.
“The Color Purple” visually displays a turning of the tables such that women are empowered. Does Celie’s lack of empowerment near the beginning of the film seem drawn out? If so, how and why?
How effectively does Stephen Spielberg negotiate the challenges of visually depicting a story about African Americans caught in the maelstrom of Jim Crow? Does he succeed, or is he overtaken by a lack of authenticity?
Which narrative (Black Boy or “The Color Purple”) is more effective in conveying the complexities of African American life under Jim Crow? Your answer should be embedded in your thesis statement.
How does the external, largely White world impact the shunned spaces in both works?
Feel free to use Shunned Space Theory as a platform for interpreting African American venues in both works. Your paper should explore the spaces of Feminism and how women are frequently commodified and dehumanized. How do they fight back? You may also explore how religion manifests as both a deterrent and a catalyst for women’s rights.

Use MLA format.

Rubric:

Discussion points (70%),

Format and Readability (30%).

Grading Notes: This semester has been challenging for all students. To help you achieve the best grades possible, I will strongly focus on the final exam. If you have any questions or need to chat with me by Zoom, I will gladly respond.