had never been allowed to express her own sexuality. Thus sexuality became something negative for her, something men did to women, whether or not they were willing. Not only had Celie been deprived of sexual intimacy she had been deprived of emotional intimacy as well. With Nettie taken away from her at an early age, Celie had not benefitted from the close female friendships that, for example, Tambudzai (Tambu) and Nyasha in Nervous Conditions and Clare and Zoe in Abeng shared. As Tambu describes her first heartfelt exchange with her beloved cousin, "The conversation that followed was a long, involved conversation, full of guileless openings up and intricate lettings out and lettings in . . . You could say that my relationship with Nyasha was my first love-affair" (Dangarembga 78). Unless women can learn to love themselves and each other, they will never learn to love men. Only later in life was Celie allowed to love herself.
Because of Shug, Celie learns that Albert has been hiding the letters that have been sent to her by her sister Nettie. This is the mi
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