THE COLOR PURPLE
Book vs. Movie
Celie's Character
In the novel, Celie's character was more hard-working and less independent. Celie did each and everything that was demanded from Mister. Rarely, did it talk about how Celie had much of a personality at all. In the film, this was different. Celie was often seen laughing or giggling about something that Mister was doing. She was never working out in the fields slaving over all the work that had to be done. Also, Mister only beat Celie one time in the film while it was a daily thing in the book.
I think that the book portrayed Celie's character better than the movie did, while I think the film showed more of how Celie was feeling on the inside as she wrote in the journals. But because of Celie's more developed and independent character in the movie, viewers are unable to grasp the internal pain that Celie fights through each and everyday without Nettie, and viewers are unable to grasp the type of relationship that Celie and Mister have.
Shug and Celie's Relationship
I do not think that the film showed justice on just how Shug and Celie's relationship was. In the movie, when Shug was leaving to go on the road to sing, Celie ran up to her wanting to find the words to say to go with her, but she ended up making a fool out of herself because Shug just made jokes, and Celie's feelings for Shug didn't seem reciprocated by Shug. Also, the film never showed how Celie had lived with Shug for months spending every hour of every day with her neither did it show how Shug helped Celie to start making a living and an income off of stretchy pants. Overall, this was the biggest difference and one that impacted the entire movie because the film did not grasp the full intimacy of their relationship and just how close they were.
Novel
Written by Alice Walker
Film
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Musical
Play righted by Marsha Norman
Corrine and Nettie's Relationship
In the film, the producer made it look as if Corrine and Nettie were best friends, but in the novel, Nettie repeatedly stated how she didn't think that Corrine liked her at all. Corrine was very jealous of Nettie, and their space was very clear throughout the author's words until the very end as Corrine is dying, she tells Nettie that she trusts and believes her about Samuel, Olivia, and Adam. This is very important to leave out because the viewer is unable to grasp all of Nettie's personality without her encounters in Africa.
Shug and her Father
In the book, this never happens. Most of the emphasis is put on Celie and her relationships with others. The movie helps to give the viewers background on why Shug is the way she is and why she acts certain ways. Shug's dysfunctional relationship with her father is never shown to make Shug seem more of an invincible and more independent character.
Squeak Visits Jail for Sofia
I think the novel did better in portraying what actually happen because it shows more of Squeak's genuine personality and just how the "white" people could do whatever they wanted and get away with it because of the color of their skin. Also, it emphasizes just how long Sofia was in prison being beaten, mistreated, and separated from the only thing that she truly loved with everything she had, her children. It was horrific about how cruelly Sofia was treated.
Mister's Sisters
This is significant that I think that the producer should have left in the movie because it helps portray just how cruel Mister really is. His own family is scared of him, and he does not care about anything other than himself. He helps to show that no matter who you are, with the exception to Shug, if you correct or tell Mister something that he did wrong, he will beat you, or there will be consequences.