The Color Purple by Alice Walker -- Summary

Celie, fourteen years old, is raped by her mother's boyfriend (her father?) and has his baby. She lies to her mother and says she doesn't know the father. The father kidnaps and kills the baby in her sleep. Her mother dies. She has another baby and thinks this time he has sold it.

He marries a girl her age, "the new mammy", and brings her home and takes her frequently.

Celie loves school but the first time she became pregnant Pa took her out, saying she was too dumb. 

Her little sister Nettie has a suitor, Mr. _____, but He won't let her marry him because Nettie is too young. He says he will let him have Celie instead. Finally, he decides to marry Celie, after the woman who took care of his kids left and on the condition that the cow they have comes too. He has three children.

Celie finds comfort in a picture of Shug Avery, Mr. ____'s sweetheart. She is black, beautiful, sophisticated and well dressed.

She gets married. The oldest boy, twelve years old, is opposed to a new mother and is violent towards Celie. She combs the little girls (six and eight y/o) hair and they hate it. Mr. _____ beds her.

She recognizes her daughter, who she named Olivia, on the street with her adoptive mother. She is six years old. She inquires as to the father of the child. Olivia's mother isn't very receptive to the questions, but accepts a ride from Celie when she's offered. They talk on the way and the mother reveals that she calls her daughter Olivia, without disclosing why.

In another letter, Nettie has run away from home to Celie and Mr. _____. Her husband is clearly interested in Nettie still. He compliments Nettie. Nettie helps with cooking and schoolwork. The children are smart but spoiled. Mr. _____ wants Nettie gone now, and Nettie promises to write Celie but never does.

Mr. ____'s sisters Kate and Carrie come to visit. They compliment Celie on her housekeeping and talk trash about Shug Avery. Kate takes her to buy a dress, Celie's first first-hand dress, and says Celie deserves more than that.