A Comparative Study of Alice Walker’s The Color Purple (1982) and its Film Adaptation (2023) : A Transmedial Approach.
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Date
2025-07-07
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Publisher
Université Mouloud Mammeri Tizi Ouzou
Abstract
This master dissertation examines The Color Purple (1982) by Alice Walker and its 2023 film
adaptation through the lens of the transmedial theory. The purpose of this study is to compare
how the themes of education, marriage, and religion are represented across the two different
media, and how these representations influence the audience’s understanding of the
protagonist’s personal growth and self-realization. The Transmedial theory, first introduces by
Henry Jenkins, focuses on how narratives adapt and transform across different media forms,
provides a suitable framework for analyzing what is retained, altered, or lost in the shift from
novel to film. The first chapter of our discussion outlines the core concepts of transmedial
storytelling, which serve as the basis for the analysis. We argue that while both the novel and
the film trace Celie’s journey toward empowerment, the medium through which her story is
conveyed plays a crucial role in how key themes are developed and interpreted. For instance,
in the novel, Celie’s inner transformation is deeply connected to her letter writing, whereas
the film relies on visual storytelling, music, and performance to express her emotional
evolution. The analysis reveals that education, marriage, and religion play a decisive role in
shaping Celie’s identity and her gradual transformation, as each theme undergoes a significant
evolution throughout her journey. The findings show that applying a transmedial perspective
deepens the understanding of how different narrative forms influence meaning, emotional
impact, and the way audiences perceive Celie’s growth.
Description
63p. : Ill. en coul. ; (+CD-Rom)
Keywords
The Color Purple, Alice Walker, 2023 film adaptation, Transmedial theory, Visual storytelling
Citation
General and Comparative Literature