The Influence of Shug as a secondary character on Celie.
Initially a person's perception changes when a significant other makes a lasting impression. As a result the person's behavior will change due to his new perception of life. Likewise, an influential person can affect the sense of worth of an individual and consequently assist the person's development. In Alice Walker's "The Color Purple", Shug provides Celie with emotional fulfillment, spiritual guidance and familial connections.
Shug contributes to Celie's self-esteem. Celie who is weak, submissive and dependent on others strives to be like Shug. Shug's independence and self-reliance has a major impact on Celie, who depends upon Shug for unconditional love and self-assurance. Being constantly told "she ugly" (9) and worthless has a tremendous effect on Celie and literally robs her of her confidence and self worth. Celie is forced, at the hands of society, to keep her feelings to herself. Celie keeps her feelings so well buried in the confines of her mind and states " I make myself wood. I say to myself, Celie, you a tree. That's how come I know trees fear man" (23). Not until Shug comes around and shows Celie true human affection could she finally begin to break free of the chains that bind her and begin to reveal the true loving, strong and independent woman she beyond doubt was. " I won't leave, she say, until I know Albert won't even think about beating you"(79), Shug sticks up for Celie, when others would not, while making this comment. .
Pure affection expressed by Shug opens Celie's heart and soul to the true meaning of love, which in turn allows her to understand and give love to another, as well as, love herself. In addition to love, Shug gives Celie something to believe in.
Shug introduces Celie to the spirituality that re-connects her to God. In the beginning Celie has a conventional view of God, she tells Shug " He big and old and tall and graybearded and white.
