MovieChat Forums > The Color Purple (1986) Discussion > Was Cele actually married to Albert?

Was Cele actually married to Albert?

posted 13 years ago by eliz7212
8 replies | jump to latest

And did they have any children together?

At the dinner table there were always children around but I could never tell who the kids belonged to.

Thanks much

[–] luvthemnbyz2010 13 years ago

I know they were married because Celie wore a wedding band and the letters sent to her by Nettie were addressed to Celie Johnson, Johnson being Albert's last name. As for all the kids, i don't know who they belonged to.

[–] perorewen 13 years ago

Somehow Celie got sterile after Olivia was born, so except from Harpo and two girls, the other kids weren't their. I just figured they were neighbouring kids. But it's poorly explained.

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[–] thebigoka72 13 years ago

I believe their marriage was common law. As for children, she became sterile after her last child, all of those children were from Albert's previous marriage.
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[–] DesperadoGirrl-1 13 years ago

I believe their marriage was common law. As for children, she became sterile after her last child, all of those children were from Albert's previous marriage.

I always thought it was a "common law" marriage....or even, perhaps a "contract" between the father and Albert. Only because you see wedding scenes of the Father (with the girl "about Celie's age") and Harpo and Sofia. There was no wedding scene for Albert and Celie...so I have a feeling it was more like "OK, Celie, gather your meager belongings and go with this man, you're his wife now because I say so".

Historically speaking, I dont know if this was common practice back then or not...perhaps someone else could shed some light on this?

As for not having children, the Father addresses this when Albert comes looking to marry Nettie, but gets stuck with Celie instead. He says something like "She's not fresh, but I suspect you know that. She been spoiled, twice. You can do what you want to her, and you wont have to clean it or feed it" (or something like that)

[–] renata77 13 years ago

From the movie, it's a bit hard to tell, but I think they were actually married.

When Albert goes to their father and asks to marry Nettie, the father says there is no way he can have Nettie, but he can have Celie. One of her brothers asks why Celie is turning around and posing for Albert. Her father says, "Your sister's thinking of getting married."

The next scene shows Celie and Albert taking off together, then arriving at his house where he tells the children she is their "new ma." At first I thought this meant he just dragged her off to live with him, but when he is chasing Nettie off his property, Celie is wearing a wedding band. (In one shot - but in another shot of her during the same scene, she's not wearing any rings; must be a continuity issue.) She is also wearing a wedding ring when she is taking care of Shug.

Also, as mentioned above, Nettie's letters are addressed to "Mrs. Celie Johnson." Maybe Albert took a little extra time to marry her, but it looks like he did, and while she was still young.

[–] krasiva-vida 12 years ago

I think it was a common law marriage. If they had applied for a marriage license and been married before a minister or judge, she would know that his name is Albert. She may have wore a wedding band and used his last name for appearances. We Southerners are all about appearances and what the neighbors think.

[–] fiatlux-1 12 years ago

All I know is Celie yells at Albert when she is leaving "I never asked you for anything, not even your sorry hand in marriage!"

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[–] kellymariekitty 11 years ago

No kids but yes they were married