Celie & Shug

In the exposition, the relationship between Celie and Shug began simply from a photograph. With the picture, Celie felt attracted for the first time to another human being other than Nettie. She referred to the picture as something as beautiful, and that was a large step for Celie with her emotionless state that was largely caused by the men in her life. In the rising action, Celie pictured in her head what type of person Shug would be like. When the two of them met for the first time, Shug was the total opposite of what Celie had expected. The first words Shug had said to Celie were, "You sure is ugly." But despite that, Celie and Shug got to know more about each other which made them grow closer to one another. Celie then opened up to Shug who later finds out the true nature of Albert and Celie's marriage. Shug sees how Celie is treated by Albert and by this, they continue to grow closer. In the climax, Celie and Shug exhibit a lesbian relationship. It showed that the two shared a very close relationship that is more than just sex. To Celie, her relationship with Shug was important because it gave Celie a sense of identity and it also made her feel sexually, physically, and emotionally more comfortable and Shug helped Celie to get out of her emotionless state. In the resolution, Celie and Shug's relationship became strained. Although Shug had her eyes on another man, she still had love for Celie. Celie also loved Shug just as much as she did before Germaine, Shug's new man, came along. Their ablility to love each other even after Shug is sexually involved with another person shows the extent of their love. Although Celie dreaded Shug and Germaine's relationship, she still cared enough for Shug to let her live her own life how she wants to.

The symbol that would best represent Celie and Shug's relationship with each other would be a mentor. Shug acts like a mother or a mentor to Celie because she is the primary reason why Celie herself gains a sense of self identity and importance in the book. Through Shug's mentoring and love, Celie was able to become an independent individual and grow as a stronger person because of Shug's influence. After Shug had showed the song she had written for Celie, it get her a sense of self identity since the song was named after her. "This song I'm bout to sing is call Miss Celie's song."(73)

Celie and Shug's relationship is significant because it helps Celie who started off as a weak, submissive girl, grow into an independent, free thinking woman. The relationship between Shug and Celie and made Celie feel important and their relationship also boosted Celie's confidence.