Everyone wants Attention

“Us sing and dance, make faces and give flower bouquets, trying to be loved. You ever notice that trees do everything to get attention we do, except walk?”

                —Alice Walker, The Color Purple

It’s been some time since I read this novel. I believe it was the first novel I read that A) doesn’t have chapters. Everything just starts with ‘Dear Celie’ or ‘Dear Nettie’ (until now, I am currently reading Anne Frank). And B) it’s all in slang.

I’ll admit the first reason why I decided to read this book for a school project was because I absolutely love the colour Purple. Walker’s novel is fabulous so long as you don’t mind reading about abuse, rape, different sexual relationships, and racial issues. I never had the chance to watch the movie with, I think, Whoopi Goldberg. But as most people would agree the book is ALWAYS better.

Now why this quote? It doesn’t really have anything to do with the abuse and issues that the two sisters go through. I’m not even quite sure it’s my favourite quote in the novel. However, I think it’s an interesting take on people and how we love. After hearing all the cruelty that Celie was going through it was nice when she would take a second and notice the nature of things around her. What could be made more beautiful in such a situation?

Some of us are very delicate, and some of us are sturdy enough that even strong winds can’t stop us. We dye our hair and lose weight to impress people to fall in love. The trees do the same to grab our attention. They change their leaves grabbing everyone’s attention with their reds, oranges, and yellows. Some trees work harder than others to provide us with gifts like flowers, and fruits.

Am I being cheesy or overanalyzing the quote? Probably. I would have never considered trees and people to be similar in anyway. Especially for trying to be loved and noticed. This quote would actually help with the movement of ‘Being Green’. Tree’s only want our attention and love. Not for us to tear them down and destroy them.

For my closing thought, I would just like to say how I love the towering trees that unfortunately only allow squirrels and chipmunks to climb up. The best time is when they flaunt their changing colours just before the harsh, dry winter. And just to cheer us up...some purple.

Don’t forget to love those trees. Until again.