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The color Purple

By: Alice Walker
Reading Level: H67OL
Maturity Level: 13+

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Dear Celie,

I wrote a letter to you almost every day on the ship coming to Africa. But by the time we docked I was so down, I tore them into little pieces and dropped them into the water. Albert is not going to let you have my letters and so what use is there in writing them. That’s the way I felt when I tore them up and sent them to you on the waves. But now I feel different.
I remember one time you said your life made you feel so ashamed you couldn’t even talk about it to God, you had to write it, bad as you thought your writing was. Well, now I know what you meant. And whether God will read letters or no, I know you will go on writing them; which is guidance enough for me. Anyway, when I don’t write to you I feel as bad as I do when I don’t pray, locked up in myself and choking on my own heart. I am so lonely Celie.
The reason I am in Africa is because one of the missionaries that was supposed to go with Corrine and Samuel to help with the children and with setting up a school sudden;y married a man who was afraid to let her go, and refused to come to Africa with her.

Comprehension Questions


1. Who was this letter written to?
A. Albert
B. Celie
C. the water


2. Why did the letters need to be ripped up?
A. They would not have been delivered
B. They had important information
C. They got wet anyways

Your Thoughts


3. Did you like this excerpt? Why or why not?




Vocabulary


4. List any vocabulary words below.




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