She is totally acquiescent in order to survive because she cannot do anything else; she has to do everything she is told. She says, "I don't say nothing. I think bout Nettie, dead. She fight, she run away. What good it do? I don't fight, I stay where I'm told. But I'm alive"" (21). By saying this, her lack of hope and courage are perceived. Besides, physical abuse is one of the consequences that Celie faces because she is defenseless and has no one to protect her. Celie has being raised among chauvinistic men; they treat women as if they were objects that they can abuse physically and psychologically. For instance, Celie mentions, "He beat me today cause he say I winked at a boy in church. I may have got somethin in my eye but I didn't wink. I don't even look at mens"" (12). She cannot even explain anything; she has no opportunity to defend herself, and this is very common to African American women because they are considered slaves and not free people. However, other women who are raised differently and are taught to defend themselves do not let men decide what to do with their lives, and one of these women is Shug Avery. .
The character of Shug Avery and the subject of subversion are exposed when she demonstrates how strong African American women are. Since she was young, she has believed and decided that she has the control and power over her life. Now that she is older and independent, she sings and works because she is a free woman and she even has the power to control men like Albert; she shows authority like men do. In addition, Celie reveals Shug's superiority when she reports Albert's speech, "Shug act more manly than most men.he say. You know Shug will fight, he say. Just like Sofia. She bound to live her life and be herself no matter what" (125). Celie and Shug are both African American women, but they are very different. Shug represents the strong woman, the one who is independent, who can satisfy her wishes, and who is beautiful.
