the color purple

            Morrison uses many different styles of writing in her novel, including changing the point of view one reads the novel from. Changing the point of view allows the reader to learn more about individual characters" thoughts and backgrounds and adds depth to the novel. An example of this particular style occurs when Sethe and Paul D are in bed together after they have slept together for the first time. We are told about Paul D's true feelings for Sethe and that Paul D sees the scar on Sethe's back and it reminds him of Sweet Home. This is followed by his memories of the place, "trees were inviting; things you could trust and be near; talk to if you wanted to as he frequently did since way back when he took the midday meal in the fields of Sweet Home.".
             Another style Morrison frequently uses is having the characters retell stories to each other in fragments. This is because the characters find it very painful to tell their whole stories, as it reminds them of how they suffered. They also do not want to burden the other characters with their stories as they know they already musty have enough painful memories of their own. Their history resides in memory and passing on information to others, however, they are denying themselves of their oral tradition. Re-telling is the only way to find out their history. Oral tradition is much harder to maintain as the stories have to told and re-told over the years to exist, whereas literate societies can read information in books and keep it locked away. Telling stories to each other also allows relationships between characters to develop and become stronger. When the stories are told in fragments this works to keep the stories fresh in the reader's memory and keep them in suspense. An example of a story being re-told in fragments is when Sethe tells Paul D about the men at Sweet Home who "took her milk". First she tells him only that they beat her and "took her milk", and later in the novel Paul D tells Sethe that Halle was in the barn and saw it happen, which is the reason why he left her and lost his mind.