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1. Purvis lives with his parents, does not have steady employment, and seems to have spent years directionless and without ambition. Purvis mentions that he feels desperate, and “he just knew that something had to give.” What is the source of this desperation? Why does he think Martha is the answer to his predicament What does Martha hope to get by moving back home with her mother? What does she hope to get from Purvis?
2. What words best describe Martha? Does she change through the novel?
3. Brother Andrew is also deeply dissatisfied with his life. Is he fully aware of the cause of this dissatisfaction? What does he think will change his life?
4. Brother Andrew enjoys reading Brother Philip’s journal. In what ways does Andrew think he has a kindred spirit in Philip?
5. Wadboo Creek is central to this story. In what ways is it almost a character in the novel? What does the creek mean to each of the central characters?
6. Birds figure highly in this story, especially woodpeckers. What are some of the things they might symbolize?
7. Music frequently appears in this novel. What are some of the scenes in which music was important?
8. Purvis interprets Martha’s movements and actions as symbols. To what extent does Purvis imagine them? What other signs does Purvis pick up in his increasingly deranged search?
9. Martha enchants Purvis from the moment he sees her. As the story progresses, her hold upon him becomes ever stronger. How is this power over Purvis described?
10. Discuss how other characters—such as Beulah, Rev. Pyron, Agnes, Lum, DeWayne—contribute to the story.
11. What draws Brother Andrew to Martha? Is it love?
12. Despite his doubts and troubles, Brother Andrew does not break his vow of silence until the very end. Why not?
13. This story takes place in the South Carolina Low Country. How would the story have differed if set in another section of the country?
14. Purvis often mentions philosophical concepts. How are they related to the events in the story? Does Purvis always have a full grasp of them? Why does “Aristotle” become something of a curse word for Purvis?
15. The novel contains a great deal of humor. What were some of the more humorous scenes? Dialogue?
16. Martha has painful memories from her childhood. How does she try to learn more? Why?
17. Discuss the title and the many contexts in which “purple” and “Jesus” are used.
18. What role does religion play in the novel? Brother Andrew is obviously not a typical monk. Does he hold views that might be considered unorthodox by his fellow monks? Is Purvis religious? Is Martha? What can be said about other characters?
19. At the end Purvis presents an array of objects as an offering of sorts to Martha. What does each mean?
20. Has Purvis learned anything by the end of the novel?
21. What do you imagine the future holds for the main characters?
1. When a novel begins with a journey, that's usually a tell-tale sign that the main character is on some sort of personal quest. Is Greazy? Is he aware of what he is looking for? Or, even that he is looking?
2. What changes, if any, take place in Greazy?
3. What "forks" does Greazy face?
4. Does Grossman undergo any changes?
5. Why so much reminiscing by Greazy? Why does he tell these stories to Grossman? What sort of response does he expect from Grossman?
6. How does Grossman function in the novel? Is he simply a foil for Greazy?
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