In Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, strong female characters often challenge the idea of traditional gender roles. The presence of strong women, such as, Shug Avery and Sofia, inspire Celie to redefine her role as a woman. Shug Avery introduces a new type of female strength in the text. Shug’s attitude and ideas challenge traditional gender roles and ideas of sexuality. Shug controls all of the men in her life. Traditionally a man may be in charge in a relationship, however Shug controls her relationships with Albert and Grady. Shug controls the relationship, and decides when her relationships end, and who they are with. Albert has power over Celie, however he does not have power over Shug. Even when Shug is sick, she still has more power
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Shug inspires Celie to leave Albert, and go with her to Tennessee (177). Shug acts as a mother figure to Celie, although they share an intimate relationship, Shug teaches Celie to be an independent individual. Celie gains a sense of self identity, due to Shug’s love. Shug is the only person who Celie loves, besides Nettie. Shug introduces the idea that sex can be liberating, rather than something that can control Celie. Shug’s freedom in her relationships also shows Celie that Albert does not control her. Due to Shug, Celie changes her mind about what it means to be a woman. When Albert says that Sofia and Shug possess manly qualities, such as speaking their minds and fighting, Celie corrects him by saying, “‘But Harpo not like this…You not like this. What Shug got is womanly it seem like to me. Specially since she and Sofia the ones got it’” (269). Shug helps Celie re-define the role of women, and perhaps inspires Celie to start her own pants company.
Celie now knows that women can be just as powerful as, and even more powerful than men. Celie has a successful career making pants, and can now support herself (254). Celie is now wearing the pants, and taking the role of supporting herself and her family. Traditionally, men are supposed to support the family, however thanks to Shug and Sofia, Celie redefines what it means to be a woman. Celie is now more successful than Albert and Harpo, and would not have been inspired to be powerful without the help of Shug and
Shug inspires Celie to leave Albert, and go with her to Tennessee (177). Shug acts as a mother figure to Celie, although they share an intimate relationship, Shug teaches Celie to be an independent individual. Celie gains a sense of self identity, due to Shug’s love. Shug is the only person who Celie loves, besides Nettie. Shug introduces the idea that sex can be liberating, rather than something that can control Celie. Shug’s freedom in her relationships also shows Celie that Albert does not control her. Due to Shug, Celie changes her mind about what it means to be a woman. When Albert says that Sofia and Shug possess manly qualities, such as speaking their minds and fighting, Celie corrects him by saying, “‘But Harpo not like this…You not like this. What Shug got is womanly it seem like to me. Specially since she and Sofia the ones got it’” (269). Shug helps Celie re-define the role of women, and perhaps inspires Celie to start her own pants company.
Celie now knows that women can be just as powerful as, and even more powerful than men. Celie has a successful career making pants, and can now support herself (254). Celie is now wearing the pants, and taking the role of supporting herself and her family. Traditionally, men are supposed to support the family, however thanks to Shug and Sofia, Celie redefines what it means to be a woman. Celie is now more successful than Albert and Harpo, and would not have been inspired to be powerful without the help of Shug and