* Coming-of-age story: The novel follows Celie's journey from a young, abused girl to a strong, independent woman.
* Southern Gothic: The novel explores themes of poverty, racism, and violence, often with a dark and unsettling tone.
* Epistolary novel: The story is told through letters written by Celie, which gives a unique and personal perspective.
* Social commentary: The novel addresses important social issues of the time, including racial prejudice, gender inequality, and domestic violence.
While some consider it a Bildungsroman (a novel focusing on the moral and psychological growth of a protagonist), the genre is primarily categorized as historical fiction due to its setting in the early 20th century American South and its exploration of the historical realities of that time.