The protagonist is a girl named Celie and the story is told from her point of view. She is only fourteen years old in the beginning and comes from an abusive home where she has 3 children by her father. After her mother dies, her father marries her off to a man named Albert who is referred to as Mr.___ until the end of the novel. He already has three children, the oldest of which is named Harpo. Celie’s life in Mr.___’s home is not much better until her younger sister Nettie comes to live with her. The girls are best friends and everyday Nettie goes off to school but when she comes home, she teaches Celie what she learned that day. Pretty soon however, Mr.___ decides he doesn’t want Nettie there and drives her off. Nettie promises to write but Celie never receives the letters.