The Color Purple is one of the most successful and controversial books ever written by a black woman. This epistolary novel is about a black African-American woman called Celie, The story of Celie is told through letters: Celie's letters to God and her sister Nettle, who is in Africa, and Nettle's letters to Celie.

Nettie's letters are mostly in longer paragraphs than Celie's; they are written in a more formal manner compared to Celie's and are carefully composed. The writing is functional and makes its points clear. Nettie only writes to Celie in the novel, telling her of her struggles as a missionary in Africa. Nettie's role shows how black women can break with convention and achieve what they want through perseverance. Nettie's letters show she is educated unlike Celie, which was rare for black women around this time. The problems Nettie encounters in Africa broaden the novels...