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The intimacy that existed between Celie and Shug was the ability to fill the gaps in each other's lives. Shug exposed Celie to happiness and direction while Celie offered Shug stability. .
Society during the time that The Color Purple was written allowed for the control of women by men. Women were chosen for marriage by men because of the amount of work that they were capable of. The greater the women's work ethic the more desirable she appeared to men. Sex was not an expression of love, but more of an act forced upon women so men could experience pleasure.
Celie was a victim of this male dominating relationship. Mr.________ took from Celie, her strength, confidence and self worth. He made her believe that his control over her was justified. His mental abuse lead Celie to believe that she could not achieve and did not deserve a better life. .
It was because of Shug that Celie was able to step out of this hole she was living in and realize that she did not have to be treated in this way. .
"What he beat you for? She ast. For being me and not you. Oh Miss Celie, she say, and put her arms around me. Us sit like that for maybe half a hour. Then she kiss me on the fleshy part of my shoulder and stand up. I won't leave, she say, until I know Albert won't even think about beating you."(79).
She thrived off of Shug and soon let her true colors show and got out of the abusive relationship. June from The Joy Luck Club thrived off of her mother's constant competitiveness with Waverly's mom. She was able to prepare herself for the American real world and be ready for any confrontations or problems she may encounter.
During the book, The Joy Luck Club two mothers put two daughters in constant competition. This brings out the best in both of the daughters and also the worst. June is forced to play the piano, but finds ways of getting around practicing. "I never really listened to what I was playing.