How does calling Albert Mr___ in he Color Purple (by Alice Walker) strengthen his character?
By referring to Albert as Mr it defines his role as a patriarch. It enables us to understand her relationship with him as being very formal, there is no tenderness or informality. He is then understood as purely male with male characteristics which are heightened in his character. For example, he is masculine, powerful, the boss, above her, cold, formal and lacking in empathy. He is also violent, humiliating and ultimately instills fear as a character. It prevents the reader from having any outward sympathy for Albert when we witness his treatment of his wife and children.Because names intensely personal it also enables the author to create an untoward character who is volatile and spontaneous as we cannot have a feeling or understanding of his character.
