Why does celie call her husband mr

His mistreatment of Celie is unthinkable today — and totally unnecessary. And yet his adoration of Shug Avery humanizes him. Of all the central ideas in this novel, the key to understanding many of the characters lies in their lack of self-knowledge and in their gradually learning to know themselves and value themselves. This is certainly true in Albert's case.

The roots of his evil nature come from his not knowing himself. Albert's father didn't rear him to be independent, but rather to be subservient to his father's own interests. When Albert became a man, he used his father for a role model and evolved into a self-centered, irrational individual. For example, note that Albert never asks Shug to marry him, although he openly declares his love for her.

In contrast, his first wife was driven to take a lover because she received so little attention from Albert. It is possible that Albert is both very frightened and very awed by Shug. If this is true, then perhaps he was too afraid to ask her to marry him. He couldn't control her. She ruled the relationship. She came to him when she wanted to be involved with him. Eventually Albert does go to Shug, but he waits — until Shug is weak and sick. Then he goes to her and brings her to his home.

But note that he is totally unconcerned about what his dutiful wife, Celie, will think. Write a comment Maria Belkadi I believe it's how she sees him. He was more her master than a husband, so she called him in a more formal manner like a boss. Shug called him Albert always, because he was her lover.

More questions about The Color Purple…. The Color Purple. Want to Read saving…. Shug Avery has two first names. She is named after Sophia, the classical goddess of wisdom also being associated with that quality in the Christian tradition. It is ironic that despite this, she is not wise enough to realise that defying a white official is extremely dangerous.

This is an appropriate name for a man who is a Christian minister and missionary. Samuel is one of the few male characters in the story who is consistently honest and trustworthy. Later in the narrative, after he marries Tashi, he also adopts the African name Omatangu which is a reference to the African belief that this was the name of the first created man.

Like Samuel, Adam is a man who is honest and good. Sometimes Walker does not even dignify a character with anything other than a title. Walker intends the reader to think of Albert as a black slave-master who treats his wife as a slave. More on Sex, sexuality and gender? In The Color Purple Walker includes some women characters who show masculine qualities and also men who enjoy activities that are more commonly associated with women: Celie, for example, notices that Shug sometimes speaks and acts in a way that is more masculine than feminine.