Toni Morrison's 'Sula' is a profound exploration of friendship, betrayal, and societal expectations through the lives of two African-American women, Nell and Sula, set against the backdrop of a small Ohio town. The novel intricately weaves themes of good versus evil, the impact of racism and sexism, and the complexities of family relationships, all while employing rich motifs such as fire, water, and the symbolism of birthmarks.
Toni Morrison's second novel, Sula, published in 1973, presents a complex, multi-layered narrative that delves into the lives of two African-American women, Nell Wright and Sula Peace. Set in the fictional town of Medallion, Ohio, the story spans from their childhood in the 1920s to adulthood, exploring profound themes of friendship, betrayal, good and evil, and the impact of societal expectations on individual identity.
The novel opens with a vivid description of the Bottom, a black neighborhood in the hills above Medallion. Morrison introduces the ironic origin of the neighborhood's name, highlighting themes of racial injustice and deception. A white farmer had promised freedom and land to his slave, only to trick him into believing the hilly land was the bottom of Heaven.
This chapter introduces Nell and Sula as children. Nell comes from a stable family, while Sula's upbringing is chaotic, living with her grandmother Eva and her mother Hannah. Their friendship begins here, alongside the introduction of Shadrach, a World War I veteran who, traumatized by his experiences, establishes National Suicide Day.
Nell and Sula's friendship deepens as they explore their town and identities. A pivotal event occurs when they accidentally drown Chicken Little while playing by the river. This incident marks the beginning of a shared burden that will haunt their relationship for years.
The chapter focuses on the Peace household, where Sula witnesses her mother Hannah die in a fire. This traumatic event shapes Sula's future actions and attitudes, while Hannah's promiscuity influences Sula's understanding of relationships.
These years cover Nell's marriage to Jude and Sula's departure from Medallion. Nell embraces a traditional life, while Sula leaves to attend college and travel, setting the stage for future conflicts.
After a decade away, Sula returns to Medallion, causing a stir in the community. Her unconventional behavior and affair with Nell's husband Jude lead to the destruction of their friendship.
The town's animosity towards Sula intensifies, viewing her as evil incarnate. This unity against her paradoxically leads to positive changes in the community, while Sula's illness foreshadows her impending death.
Sula dies, leaving a profound impact on the town. Her death triggers strange occurrences and a sense of unease among the residents, exploring themes of mortality and the complex legacy she leaves behind.
A tragedy occurs during National Suicide Day, where many townspeople, facing economic hardship, follow Shadrach in a parade that leads to a tunnel collapse and numerous deaths. This event symbolizes the culmination of the town's struggles and the impact of Sula's life and death.
In the final chapter, Nell visits Eva in a nursing home and realizes the depth of her loss—not of Jude, but of Sula. The novel concludes with Nell's cry of grief and recognition.
Sula is the novel's protagonist, characterized by her complexity and fierce independence. Growing up in a chaotic household, she develops a unique perspective on life and morality. Her birthmark symbolizes her multifaceted nature, challenging societal norms and expectations. Sula's return to Medallion as a changed woman and her actions, including her affair with Jude, complicate her character, defying simple categorization.
Nell serves as Sula's best friend and a foil to her character. Coming from a stable family, Nell embraces traditional roles, marrying young and settling into life as a wife and mother. Their friendship, tested by betrayal, represents different responses to societal expectations.
Eva, Sula's grandmother, embodies strength and sacrifice. Her harsh decisions, including setting her son Plum on fire, reflect the complexities of love and family relationships.
Hannah, Sula's mother, is known for her beauty and casual relationships. Her promiscuity influences Sula's views on love and relationships, culminating in her tragic death.
Shadrach, a World War I veteran, represents the trauma of war. His establishment of National Suicide Day highlights the struggle for meaning in chaos.
Jude, Nell's husband, marries her partly to prove his manhood. His affair with Sula serves as a major turning point in the narrative, destroying the friendship between the two women.
Nell's mother, Helen, represents the pressure to conform to societal expectations, having escaped her past as the daughter of a creole prostitute.
Fire and water symbolize destruction and rebirth throughout the novel. Hannah's death in a fire and Chicken Little's drowning are pivotal moments that represent transformative experiences.
Birds symbolize freedom or the lack thereof. Sula's return is marked by robins, representing her free spirit, while Nell is associated with trapped birds, reflecting her confinement within societal norms.
Physical marks, such as Sula's birthmark and Eva's missing leg, symbolize uniqueness and otherness, setting characters apart from society.
The novel's structure emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and the repetition of history, evident in generational stories and recurring events like National Suicide Day.
The core theme revolves around the friendship between Sula and Nell, exploring its complexities, betrayals, and eventual recognition.
Morrison challenges traditional notions of good and evil, presenting a nuanced view of morality through Sula's character.
The novel examines how societal norms shape individual choices, particularly for women, contrasting Nell's conformity with Sula's rebellion.
Various models of motherhood are presented, exploring the impact of these relationships on the younger generation.
While not always explicit, the novel consistently addresses the impact of racial and gender discrimination on the characters' lives and choices.
Sula is a rich, complex narrative that invites readers to reflect on the intricacies of friendship, the nature of good and evil, and the societal pressures that shape individual identities. Through its multifaceted characters and profound themes, Morrison's work remains a significant exploration of the African-American experience and the complexities of human relationships.
