Though the message of "The Color Purple" is that men behave badly toward women, it may not have been the author's intention. Behind the story of abuse at the hands of the male species is the underlying theme of the story: The earthly connections of women to one another as providers of each other's comforts, love and joy in spite of all the pain. Though another underlying theme in the thread of the story is racism, the heart of the story's intention does not focus on it, but hones in on the reader's ability to understand that even racism, another form of abuse between humans, is something that can be overcome by a strong-willed spirit.
The book "Think and Grow Rich" has as its basic premise the idea that individual achievement is the cornerstone of an industrious society, but its intent appears to be that of self-motivation. This classic best-seller, written in 1937, is called the cornerstone of modern motivational ideologies. The intent of the core message is that everyone, rich and poor alike, is capable of turning the seemingly impossible into something possible. Beginning with Mr. Hill's first book "Law of Success," his overall intention, or the thread that runs through all of his published works, is to motivate and inspire the human spirit.
In "Using Your Thoughts to Change Your Life and the World," author Lynne McTaggart states the following: "Targeting your thoughts...appear to produce an energy potent enough to change physical reality." The book is a lengthy discourse on how thoughts can be actualized in the physical realm. When applying this school of thought to a writer's intentions, the writer becomes intensely aware that their words that can be easily misconstrued, or even misused by those who may take them out of context. The intention, therefore, must fit the way the book is written.
When someone gives a speech, they use intonation and gesture and inflections to get their point across, or to make their intentions clear. A writer, however, relies on writing style to do the same thing. The way words are written and sentences structured can give us some insight into the writer's intention. Also, writers can declare their intention or intentions outright. If they do so, they must stay true to what they have told the reader their intention is. Words can have more than one possible meaning, so if the book writer does not state his intention, or it can't be stated directly for some reason, a writer has to remember to style his words, phrases and sentences so that the intention is clear.