Factual error: When Harpo opens his Blues Pub in 1922, Shug sings a song in it on the opening; after which she has a conversation with Celie. In the background, we hear some music, and it is a piece of John Lee Hooker. Not only that John Lee Hooker was only 7 years old at that time, the music seems to come from a modern Hifi system, not a gramophone.
Factual error: When Celie is leaving Albert, she is riding in the back of the car with Shug. As the car drives away down the dirt driveway you can see the telephone pole and electricity wires at the end of the driveway. Not unusual now, but in rural Georgia in the 1930's, it would have been impossible.
Factual error: The letter from Nettie is dated 18 April 1935 but the larger of the stamps on the envelope is the Southern Rhodesia stamp for the Silver Jubilee of George V, that wasn't issued till 6 May 1935.
Chosen answer: They appear to be illegal drugs.
raywest ★