Issues of Sexual Morality and Society in Sula
In Toni Morrison's Sula, the society of Hannah and Sula is divided over each character's sexual choices. Even though they both engage in the same activities, they are each judged for these actions differently. Society has no qualms with the sexual choices of Hannah. Her character sleeps with many men throughout the novel, and all the while, society never objects. This is because she was once married. After her husband died she longed for the touch and embrace of another man - a man who might fill the empty hole in her heart, a man who might cure this affliction. Sula, on the other hand, is despised for the choices she makes. According to society, Sula is using men solely for her own selfish pleasure. Unlike Hannah, society feels that Sula doesn't deserve any sympathy for her actions. While Hannah may be looking for a new soul mate to fill the role of her husband, Sula is only looking for a quick fix. Every society has its own distinct values and certain ideals of how a person should behave, especially in public. There is no universal morality. What is viewed as normal and acceptable is legislated by a majority. Each system of rules and regulations that are established differs in each society. Those who follow the ru
The reason why Sula's actions are despised and why Hannah's actions are viewed without prejudice is simply because of the values that are instigated in their society. Society deems what is right and what is wrong, and in accordance to sex, what is acceptable and what is not. Because Hannah is a victim and is searching for a loving relationship to replace the one that she lost when her husband died, she gains her communities sympathy. Sula is a different story: by using men for her own personal sexual satisfaction, Sula is placed as an outcast to society. The society in which she has been brought up in will not accept sexual relations that do not condone an equal relationship. Sula, on the other hand, is not viewed with the same compassion as Hannah is. Like Hannah, she is also considered promiscuous. Sula's decision to have an affair with Jude and many other men in Medallion causes the town to despise her. A huge scandal erupts because Sula, unlike Hannah, sleeps with women's husbands only once, and then no more. Morrison writes: "It was almost as if she was trying them out and discarding them without any excuse the men could swallow. So the women, to justify their own judgement, cherished their men more, soothed the pride and vanity Sula had bruised" (pg. 115). The wives are bitter that Sula has used their husbands simply for sexual pleasure. Unlike Hannah, there is no relationship, there is no emotional attachment, and so, Sula gains no sympathy whatsoever. She is viewed, not
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Approximate Word count = 1013
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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