A less obvious theme is the importance of accepting responsibility for one's actions. For instance, while the violence Black men perpetrate against women can be analyzed through the lenses of sociology, economics, or other factors, these explanations do not justify the behavior. Celie is left with deep emotional and physical scars from her stepfather's sexual abuse, including infertility from a second pregnancy caused by rape. Meanwhile, Sofia's attack on the mayor leads to an eleven-and-a-half-year prison sentence, alienating her from her children, who become like strangers to her. Essentially, isolated personal actions can harm both oneself and others. The "bad" characters, like Alphonso, either face death or find redemption by the novel's conclusion. In Walker's fictional world, individuals are either punished or rewarded based on their actions: The Color Purple is a steadfastly moral book, despite its portrayals of violence and sexuality.