Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Color Purple, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
God and Spirituality
Race and Racism
Men, Women, and Gender Roles
Violence and Suffering
Self-Discovery
Summary
Analysis
Celie helps Shug by combing out her hair, which hasn't been combed for a very long time, and is considered quite messy, even by those like Mr. ____ who find Shug very attractive. As Celie works, Shug begins humming a tune that Celie enjoys, and thinks sounds "dirty." Shug answers that it's something she's just made up, something that Celie has "scratched out of her head."
