“The Color Purple” by Alice Walker (post 2): Naming Male Characters with Honorifics, but No Surnames, highlights Male Dominance in Jim Crow South.

Most male characters in this novel are given honorifics:

“Mr. __________”

“Mayor ________”

“Reverend Mr. _______”

Since the setting of this novel is the pre-civil rights, Jim Crow South, the meaning of honorifics—who gets them and who does not—is explained by Jim Crow Etiquette:

“Whites did not use courtesy titles of respect when referring to Blacks, for example, Mr., Mrs., Miss., Sir, or Ma’am. Instead, Blacks were called by their first names. Blacks had to use courtesy titles when referring to Whites, and were not allowed to call them by their first names” (1).

Thus, the naming of male characters, even black male characters, with honorifics serves to highlight and emphasize male social dominance. Omitting their surnames, it might be argued, only serves to make the honorifics stand out.

But was it really necessary to omit their surnames?

No, it was not necessary. And as I have argued in past posts, regarding other novels, namelessness of characters is probably indicative of the author’s multiple personality. But as I am only halfway through this novel, I reserve further comment.

1. Jim Crow Etiquette. http://www.africanamerica.org/topic/jim-crow-etiquette