How Does Shag Change In The Color Purple

One can’t help but wonder if the reason people lash out is due to them having repressed emotions. The novel The Color Purple takes place back in the early 1900’s, where gender roles were basically a job and women were subjected as an object. Throughout the novel, readers are exposed to multiple characters, in which the characters go through a change. Throughout the course of “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker, Shug goes through a drastic change which shifts her personality from rude and intimidating to lastly helpful. In “The Color Purple'' by Alice Walker, Shug’s characterization evolves throughout the story through her words/actions. She is introduced as a dominant, rude woman who was brutally honest. This changed as she learned more about

Her first interaction with Celie was off putting due to Shug calling her ugly to her face. Celie admired Shug so much to the point she would get nervous at a glance of her. Celie was watching her exit the carriage and thought to herself, “I think my heart gon fly out my mouth when I see one of her foots came poking out”(Walker, 45). Shug, simply being dressed in a specific way, intimidated Celie. Walker portrays Celie admiring Shug to represent that Shug has been viewed in a sexual point of view. Due to Shug being viewed in such a way her whole life, it pushed her to be someone that shielded herself. Celie tried to decipher Shug and all she could say was, “sick as she is, if a snake cross her path, she kill it”(Walker, 46). From what we have read, we can tell that Shug has always protected herself, which is the reason she has a very intimidating personality. Walker portrays her as so to demonstrate to readers that Shug has gone through a deal of problems that built her into the way she is. Overall, her characterization is a reflection of the way she was mistreated and

In the end Shug is more sensible and kind to those who deserve it. Her relationship with Celie evolved from hate to love. As Shug interacted with Celie, she began to realize that Celie is a woman with no tough bones. She helps Celie discover herself and encourages Celie exclaiming, “What, too shame even to go off and look at yourself? And you look so cute too,”(Walker 78). Shug encourages Celie to be more confident and see her true beauty. Walker portrays her being helpful to represent the development of when we first heard of her up until now. When Shug first heard of Mr. beating Celie, she felt frustration but instead comforted Celie. As Shug and Celie sat on the bench, Shug “Then she kiss me on the fleshy part of my shoulder and stand up. I wont leave, she say”(Walker 75). She comforts Celie due to them having a friendly relationship. Walker represents her this way to demonstrate the growth in Shug’s development. Inclusive, Shug has come to a realization that many need to be toughen up but in a different manner than how she was