The Color Purple

Why does Celie say that God fathered and took her baby? What does this say about her relationship with her father? (2)

Why does Celie say that God fathered and took her baby? What does this say about her relationship with her father? (2) (chapter)

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This is a power thing. Like many children, Celie confuses her father with God. She doesn’t actually think her father is God rather that his power over her makes him god-like.

Celie answers this way because Alfonso has told her to keep quiet, and she has no other answer. It's the only thing she can think of to say. What this tells us about their relationship is that Celie is frightened enough of her father to keep his secret even from her mother. Celies mother's curses do not scare or intimidate her, because her father's physical actions and threats are harder to endure.