Purple By Alexis Rotella

Brief Synopsis

“Purple” by Alexis Rotella captures a poignant childhood memory, illustrating the impact of early education on a child’s self-expression and creativity. 

The poem begins with a young child in first grade who is reprimanded by a teacher for drawing a purple teepee, deemed unrealistic and associated with death. This criticism crushes the child’s spirit, leading to feelings of inadequacy. In contrast, the following year, a new teacher, Mr. Barta, encourages artistic freedom. 

When the child leaves their paper blank, fearing judgment, Mr. Barta’s gentle response highlights a contrasting approach that nurtures the child’s imagination and confidence.

Main Themes

Impact of Authority on Creativity

The poem underscores how authority figures, particularly educators, can profoundly influence a child’s creative expression. The harsh critique from Mrs. Lohr stifles the child’s imagination, while Mr. Barta’s open-mindedness fosters it.

Innocence and Vulnerability

Rotella highlights the innocence and vulnerability of childhood, portraying how fragile a child’s confidence can be and how easily it can be affected by external validation or criticism.

The Power of Encouragement

The poem contrasts negative reinforcement with positive affirmation, showing how a supportive environment can empower children to embrace their creativity and view their unique perspectives as valid and beautiful.

Color Symbolism and Perception

Purple, a color associated with creativity and individuality, becomes a symbol for non-conformity and the way society’s perceptions can shape or distort a child’s understanding of their own uniqueness.

Structure and Form

Type of Poem

“Purple” is a free verse poem, characterized by its lack of consistent meter or rhyme scheme. This form reflects the natural flow of thought and the raw emotion inherent in the child’s experiences.

Stanza and Line Structure

The poem is divided into two stanzas, each reflecting a distinct period in the child’s life. The first stanza focuses on the negative experience with Mrs. Lohr, while the second highlights the positive encounter with Mr. Barta. The lines are varied in length, adding to the conversational and reflective tone.

Literary Devices

Imagery

Rotella uses vivid imagery to bring the child’s experiences to life. Descriptions like “purple teepee” and “baggy corduroy trousers” create a tangible sense of the child’s world. 

The contrast between “black crayon” nightfall and “clean and white and beautiful” snowfall highlights the shift in the child’s emotional state.

Symbolism

The purple teepee symbolizes creativity and individuality, while its rejection represents societal pressures to conform. The black crayon symbolizes the child’s suppressed creativity, overshadowed by fear and criticism. The snowfall symbolizes purity and the renewal of confidence through positive reinforcement.

Metaphors and Similes

The poem employs metaphors, such as comparing the child’s heartbeat to a “tom-tom,” evoking the intensity of their emotions. The swish of the trousers is likened to the rhythmic movement of a heart, emphasizing the internal turmoil caused by external judgment.

Allegory

The poem serves as an allegory for the broader experience of how society can either nurture or stifle individual creativity. The two contrasting teachers represent different societal attitudes towards personal expression and creativity.

Language and Diction

Choice of Words

Rotella’s word choice is simple yet evocative, capturing the innocence of childhood and the intensity of emotional experiences. Words like “realistic,” “purple,” “swish,” and “tom-tom” are rich with connotations that deepen the reader’s understanding of the child’s perspective.

Tone

The tone of the poem shifts from the somber and disheartened mood of the first stanza to a more hopeful and gentle tone in the second. This contrast underscores the transformative power of positive encouragement.

Syntax and Sentence Structure

The poem’s sentences are fragmented and varied, mirroring the child’s fragmented and emotional recollection of events. This syntactical choice enhances the authenticity of the narrative voice and the immediacy of the experiences described.

Rhythm and Meter

Analysis of Rhythm

Although “Purple” lacks a formal meter, the rhythm is guided by the natural cadence of speech. The pacing slows in moments of reflection and speeds up in moments of heightened emotion, reflecting the child’s inner turmoil and eventual calm.

Discussion of Meter

The free verse form allows for flexibility in the poem’s rhythm, mirroring the child’s fluid and unstructured thought process. The absence of a fixed meter emphasizes the poem’s theme of non-conformity and individual expression.

Sound and Rhyme

Rhyme Schemes

The poem does not adhere to a traditional rhyme scheme, which aligns with its free verse form and reinforces the theme of unrestricted creativity.

Alliteration and Assonance

Rotella uses alliteration and assonance to enhance the poem’s musical quality. Phrases like “purple teepee” and “big hand” create a sense of cohesion and rhythm, while the repetition of sounds in “snowfall how clean and white” emphasizes the gentle, nurturing atmosphere created by Mr. Barta.

Interpretation

Poet’s Intent and Message

Alexis Rotella likely wrote “Purple” to highlight the delicate nature of childhood creativity and the significant impact that adult reactions can have on it. The poem serves as a reminder of the importance of nurturing young minds and the lasting effects of both positive and negative feedback.

Insights into Poet’s Perspective

Rotella’s perspective reflects a deep empathy for the vulnerability of children and a recognition of the power of kindness and encouragement. The poem advocates for an educational approach that celebrates individuality and creativity, rather than stifling it with rigid expectations and judgments.