The Color Purple tells the story of Celie, a black woman who suffers virtually throughout her entire life. From the time she is young she is treated cruelly by the one man in her life, her father, and that treatment only continues when she gets married. Celie's father rapes her when she is about fourteen years old, get pregnant not once but twice and has her children taken from her. It is almost implied that her mother knows about the rape but lets it go because her husband is focusing his negative attention on Celie and not on her. From the beginning of the film Celie is portrayed as a gentle, independent woman. She does not speak about what is bothering her, she shows great care for her siblings, and her relationship with Nettie is what keeps her going. It is obvious that Celie has no desire for marriage when she encourages Nettie to keep at her books and not to worry about the man pursuing her.
The most difficult time in Celie's life is undoubtedly when she is forced to marry Albert. She had no choice in the matter as her father made the decision for her. It is an understatement to say the Celie hates her husband Albert. She has no desire to please him and what she does do is out of fear and discipline that she has learned as a child. He is much older than her and I think she views him the same way she viewed her father. She does not enjoy sexual relations with him and is virtually miserable in the house. The only thing that keeps Celie going and full of some sort of hope is her letters to Nettie, who is living as a missionary in Africa. Celie tells her innermost secrets and fears to Nettie and finds comfort in the fact that they are able to share. Devastatingly to Celie, Nettie never returns a word or any sign that she is receiving Celie's letters at all. .
If it wasn't for the friendships that Celie formed with Sophia (Albert's daughter-in-law), and later Shug (Albert's lover), I don't think that she would have survived.