foil

"Shug Avery was a woman. The most beautiful woman i ever saw. She more pretty than my mama. She bout ten thousand times prettier then me. I see her there in furs. Her face rouge. Her hair like somethin tail. She grinning with her foot up on somebody motocar" (6)

Shug Avery is a foil character to Celie. Not only is she as beautiful as Celie is homely, but her attitude and demeanor contrasts with that of Celie, especially in the beginning of the novel. Shug does not allow others to control her; Celie continuously subjects herself to the will of males in her life. Also, Shug is outspoke and ignores gender roles. She dresses scantily and lives vicariously.