Letters 22-27 Summary

Shug Avery is sick and no one will help her. Women in church are looking at Celie confused, as she is faithful and even helps out at church. Celie listens as the preacher and the other women call Shug a "street cleaner" and a "hussy." When they get home from church, Mr. _____ tells Harpo and Sofia to go and get Shug and bring her home. Celie is beside herself with excitement.

Even as ill as she is, Shug is still dressed to kill. They bring her upstairs and Celie helps to take off her caked on makeup and clean her up. Sick, sallow looking, and feverish, Shug is still beautiful to Celie. As Celie is cleaning her up, though, Shug looks over at Celie and starts to cackle. She tells Celie, "You sure is ugly," like she hadn't believed it before...