The Color Purple Group

Question:


lexwebb
Student
College - Junior

Who are the Olinka in Alice Walker's book The Color Purple?

Rate question:

Posted by lexwebb on Friday April 11, 2008 at 8:49 AM and tagged with characters, olinka, the color purple.

Answers:


  1. dymatsuoka

    eNotes Editor

    Nettie, Celie's younger sister, goes on a missionary trip to Africa, and lives for a time with the Olinka tribe.  The Olinka are surprised that the missionary group from America is black, and are even more shocked that the group includes women.  As Nettie tells Celie, the Olinka "do not believe girls should be educated...a girl is nothing to herself; only to her husband can she become something...the mother of his children".  Although Nettie herself does not see herself as they do, the Olinka perceive Nettie as nothing more than "the missionary's drudge".

    In going to Africa, Nettie establishes contact with her African roots.  It is significant that the status of women in the Olinka tribe is no better than in the American South.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/color-purple/letters-61-63-summary-...
    http://www.enotes.com/color-purple/themes

    Rate answer:

    Posted by dymatsuoka on Monday April 14, 2008 at 8:30 PM