Celie: Celie is the main character and narrator of the story; though at first she is submissive to the abusive men around her, due to the positive influence of strong women around her, she grows into a strong, independent black women who stands up for herself.  Celie has two children from her stepfather who raped her and then gave the children away to Samuel and Corrine.

Nettie: Nettie is the younger, more attractive sister of Celie who lives with Samuel and his family and even travels with them to Africa on a mission trip.

Alphonso: Alphonso is the cruel and abusive stepfather of Celie and Nettie.  He is Walker’s first example of an evil man.

Mr. __: Mr. __ is the husband of Celie.  He too, is abusive, though not as much as Alphonso.  Mr. __ doesn’t love Celie, but instead has an on-going affair with Shug Avery.

Harpo: Harpo is the son of Mr. __ and wife of Sofia.  Harpo is a very confused young man.  Though at first he tries to emulate his father’s abusive tendencies, Sofia teaches him that force is not the way to solve problems.

Sofia: She is the wife of Harpo who serves as an example to Celie of independent womanhood.

Shug Avery: Shug is the hero of the story, lover of Celie; more than anyone else, Shug teaches Celie how to be her own person.

Grady: He is the husband of Shug but is really in love with Squeak.

Samuel: Samuel is the black minister who travels to Africa with Nettie and eventually marries her after Corrine’s death.  Samuel is an adopted father to Celie’s children, Olivia and Adam.

Corrine: Corrine is the wife of Samuel who dies in Africa.

Olivia: Olivia is the daughter of Celie who grows up as the adopted child of Samuel and Corrine.

Adam: Adam is the son of Celie who grows up as the adopted child of Samuel and Corrine.

Tashi: Tashi is the African native who marries Adam and returns with him to America.

Mary Agnes (Squeak): Squeak is the girlfriend of Harpo and later Grady; Shug teaches her to sing in public.