Sula

A detailed Summary of Sula

Inherent to human nature and their morals, are dualities, such as good and bad, in a character which produces all the emotions, experiences, and forces that motivates an individual to overcome the struggles of life. One, without the other, will not suffice in its existence. Consequently, only the combination of both characteristics will succeed in constructing a solid identity. Such is the case in the novel "Sula", by Toni Morrison. Throughout the progression of the plot, Nel and Sula complements each other in such a way that allows them to form a single functional unit. Therefore, only with Sula's aide, is Nel able to surpass the restrictions that her mother places on her. Contrary to the statement that "Sula was the worst thing that ever happened to Nel," Sula does not corrupt Nel, but rather, assists her in gaining the freedom that she craves. As Nel is desperately trying to fulfill the desire of being her true self, Sula is searching for "something else to be" (52).

In the process of their coinciding pursuits, Nel and Sula discovers that they provide for each other, the missing fractions of their identity. Sula and Nel, by themselves, appear to be polar opposites of one another. Whereas Nel is preserved and confined, the dar

In addition, their newfound power allows them to explore the freedom of expression and thought. As a consequence, through the support of Sula, Nel is able to achieve the courage to discard the repulsive clothespin her mother makes her use to "pull her nose" (55) and "slid the clothespin under the blanket as soon as she got in the bed" (55). Likewise, Nel also helps out Sula by comforting her in her times of need. Based on the fact that "Sula, like always, was incapable of making any but the most trivial decisions" (101), Nel seems to be frequently consoling her and giving her the best advise she can offer. Because of all the obstacles they have gone through together, Nel and Sula shares with each other what they can not with anyone else. So thus, "their meeting was fortunate, for it let them use each other to grow on" (52).

At first, Nel is considered to be "moral" and righteous, in contrast with Sula, who is impetuous and unlimited; but later, Nel discovers that those lines between right and wrong is not as clear. The ambiguity between the two concepts lies in the fact that morality can be interpreted in many distinct ways. When each of the girls are striving to live alone, they both have their own set of morals, each presented differently. But however, together, they were able to make use of their ideas to help each other out. Morrison attempts to show, through Nel and Sula, how the two extremes blend to form the perfect relationship, one that demonstrates the duality of human beings. Neither Nel nor Sula is complete without the other; they need each other for relief from their restrained conformities, in order to have a fulfilling existence.

Since Nel and Sula accompany each other so well, undoubtedly, they would come to seek after a common goal, to have a unique identity. Each of the girls has a vision of what she wants to be, after they discover what they want is more than what is being offered to them. Nel is the first to experience her revelation; after her trip to New Orleans, Nel has a realization of her individuality. Indeed, "she had gone on a real trip, and now she was different" (28). Her change results in her desire for a personal belonging. As Nel transcends her idea farther, she exclaims, "'I'm me. I'm not their daughter. I'm not Nel. I'm me. Me'" (28). Sula, incidentally, is also after the same dream, to be her own person.

At this point, Nel distinguishes herself from Sula by justifying her righteous morals in comparison to Sula's indecent actions. Her grief is symbolized by "a ball of muddy strings, but without weight, fluffy but terrible in its malevolence" (109). Contraire to her belief, that her v

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Approximate Word count = 1782
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English