While Nettie takes the role of Celie’s savior in The Color Purple, Shug Avery is her role model. Shug is representative of everything that Celie wants to be, which is why Celie is so drawn to her. She is beautiful and confident, and men treat her with respect. Shug has the self-confidence to stand up for herself; she doesn’t let anyone, especially the men in her life, treat her badly. Celie idolizes Shug, and she’s shocked when Shug actually notices her and treats her like a fellow woman. It’s always nice to be noticed by someone who you look up to. However, Shug’s life is not as perfect as Celie originally imagined it to be when she first saw her picture on the flyer—Shug hasn’t seen her family in years, she doesn’t take care of herself when she’s touring, and she pretty much sleeps with whoever she wants, whenever she wants. Celie learns more about Shug’s imperfections as their relationship deepens. This knowledge helps her to realize that Shug, the woman who she wants to be like, isn’t perfect, and she doesn’t have to be perfect either. While striving to be just like Shug, Celie learns that being herself is a better option.
I wonder if this promiscuous tough woman that Shug portrayed was necessary for Celie's development. I also find it interesting that Celie initially idolizes Shug, but then develops sexual feelings towards her. The concept of a role model becoming more than just a personified idea is not new to literature. However, it is obvious that Shug is what Celie wants to be in her disposition. I found it sad that Celie was so shocked to actually be treated like a human being. Clearly, Celie's confidence was down, but she seemed to have found comfort in someone seeing her as more than just a tool for sex, chores, and taking care of children. Even though Celie does begin to notice a multitude of imperfections, she still genuinely care for Shug. Shug's personality developes within the story as we see her marry and try to reconcile things with the people from her past. Overall, Shug is a very important character and contribute greatly to the plot and setting.
While Nettie takes the role of Celie’s savior in The Color Purple, Shug Avery is her role model. Shug is representative of everything that Celie wants to be, which is why Celie is so drawn to her. She is beautiful and confident, and men treat her with respect. Shug has the self-confidence to stand up for herself; she doesn’t let anyone, especially the men in her life, treat her badly. Celie idolizes Shug, and she’s shocked when Shug actually notices her and treats her like a fellow woman. It’s always nice to be noticed by someone who you look up to. However, Shug’s life is not as perfect as Celie originally imagined it to be when she first saw her picture on the flyer—Shug hasn’t seen her family in years, she doesn’t take care of herself when she’s touring, and she pretty much sleeps with whoever she wants, whenever she wants. Celie learns more about Shug’s imperfections as their relationship deepens. This knowledge helps her to realize that Shug, the woman who she wants to be like, isn’t perfect, and she doesn’t have to be perfect either. While striving to be just like Shug, Celie learns that being herself is a better option.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this promiscuous tough woman that Shug portrayed was necessary for Celie's development. I also find it interesting that Celie initially idolizes Shug, but then develops sexual feelings towards her. The concept of a role model becoming more than just a personified idea is not new to literature. However, it is obvious that Shug is what Celie wants to be in her disposition. I found it sad that Celie was so shocked to actually be treated like a human being. Clearly, Celie's confidence was down, but she seemed to have found comfort in someone seeing her as more than just a tool for sex, chores, and taking care of children. Even though Celie does begin to notice a multitude of imperfections, she still genuinely care for Shug. Shug's personality developes within the story as we see her marry and try to reconcile things with the people from her past. Overall, Shug is a very important character and contribute greatly to the plot and setting.
ReplyDelete