By: Toni Morrison
Date of Publication: 1973
About the Author:
Toni Morrison, originally
Chloe
Anthony Wofford, was born on February 18, 1931, in
Lorain, Ohio. She is an American novelist, editor, and has
received many awards; in 1993 she was awarded the Nobel Prize in
Literature, and others like the National book Critics Circle Award
and the Pulitzer Prize for Beloved. Morrison examines the
lives of black characters who struggle with discrimination, racism,
hostility, and identity. She is now living Rockland County, New York,
and Princeton, New Jersey.
Citation:
"Toni Morrison Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks
Television, n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.biography.com/people/toni-morrison-9415590?page=2>.Historical Information:
During the time she published Sula in 1973, many historical events occur. One in particular was when Roe v. Wade made abortion a US constitutional right. Upon this, the Supreme Court invalidated all of these laws, and set guidelines for the availability of abortion. Abortion had been prohibited in 30 states and legal under certain
circumstances like pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, in 20
states. Roe recognized that a woman's right to have an abortion to protect her health and life, was protected under the constitutional provisions of
individual autonomy and privacy.
http://reproductiverights.org/en/document/roe-v-wade-then-and-now
Genre:
Genre:
Sula is a
Historical
Fiction novel, which means it can be based on a true story or real event from the past,
drawn from history. Its setting is the compromising narratives who
take place in the past and are characterized by an imaginative
reconstruction of personages and historical events.
Characters:
Cecile is Helene's religious grandmother, she raised Helene and arranged her marriage at the age of sixteen to Wiley Wright, her grand-nephew.
Helene Wright is the daughter of Rochelle, a New Orleans Creole prostitute. After nine years of marriage, she gave birth to her only child, Nel. She lives a comfortable middle class life.
Cecile is Helene's religious grandmother, she raised Helene and arranged her marriage at the age of sixteen to Wiley Wright, her grand-nephew.
Helene Wright is the daughter of Rochelle, a New Orleans Creole prostitute. After nine years of marriage, she gave birth to her only child, Nel. She lives a comfortable middle class life.
Wiley Wright is Cecile's grand-nephew and Helene's husband. He is a seaman and is often away from home.
Sula Peace good friends with Helene's daughter Nel. She is Hannah's daughter and has a birthmark over one of
her eyes, which is extremely extraordinary to many people. People think the
birthmark looks like a stemmed rose, a snake, or
Hannah's ashes.
Summary:
The setting takes place in Ohio, a mostly black community referred as the "bottom." Wealthy whites have taken a liking to the hill land, and would like to destroy it to build a golf course. Although Nel and Sula's family beliefs are quite different, they become close friends. One day Sula is
playfully swinging a Chicken Little around by his hands, and when she loses her grip, the boy falls into a nearby river and drowns. The two girls never tell anyone about the accident because they did not intend to harm the boy. They soon begin to grow apart, and one day, Sula's mother's dress catches fire and she dies. After high school, Nel marries Jude and Sula leaves Bottom for ten years to have an independent life. She has many affairs, some with white men, and got tired of the same routine so she decides to return to Bottom. Before her return, the town warns Nel about her and ironically, Sula has an affair with Nel's husband and he leaves her. Her return to the community gives the town impetus to live harmoniously with one another. Sula dies in 1940, her death, dissolves the harmony that had reigned in the town. Nel talks to Eva and she is accused for Chicken Little's death, her accusation forces her to confront the unfairness of her judgment against Sula. She blamed his death entirely on Sula, then she comes to realize that in the aftermath of Chicken Little's death she had to define herself as "good," so she goes to the cemetery and mourns at Sula's grave.
Theme:
The theme of the book is based on good vs. evil. They both resemble each other.
The novel addresses the emotions and relationships that social conventions are a foundation for living one's life. The characters and their actions relate to "good and evil," and "right and wrong." Sula demonstrates the beauty and terror of life, in both conflicts and race, or gender.
Connections/ Thoughts:
This is the second book by Toni Morrison that I have read. She is an amazing writer who allows her novels to real like you are experiencing them as well. I found Sula very interesting because of the conflicts she went through, I never expected the actions she committed to fit her personality. Her friendship with Nel is very popular, most "close" friends become distant after high school or even during high school. For example, myself, I had a best friend my freshman year of high school, our families also had different beliefs. My parents have always been strictly religious and enforced house rules, unlike her who had so much freedom. We soon grew apart as time went by so I understand this novel and the events that occur within in very well.
The setting takes place in Ohio, a mostly black community referred as the "bottom." Wealthy whites have taken a liking to the hill land, and would like to destroy it to build a golf course. Although Nel and Sula's family beliefs are quite different, they become close friends. One day Sula is
playfully swinging a Chicken Little around by his hands, and when she loses her grip, the boy falls into a nearby river and drowns. The two girls never tell anyone about the accident because they did not intend to harm the boy. They soon begin to grow apart, and one day, Sula's mother's dress catches fire and she dies. After high school, Nel marries Jude and Sula leaves Bottom for ten years to have an independent life. She has many affairs, some with white men, and got tired of the same routine so she decides to return to Bottom. Before her return, the town warns Nel about her and ironically, Sula has an affair with Nel's husband and he leaves her. Her return to the community gives the town impetus to live harmoniously with one another. Sula dies in 1940, her death, dissolves the harmony that had reigned in the town. Nel talks to Eva and she is accused for Chicken Little's death, her accusation forces her to confront the unfairness of her judgment against Sula. She blamed his death entirely on Sula, then she comes to realize that in the aftermath of Chicken Little's death she had to define herself as "good," so she goes to the cemetery and mourns at Sula's grave.
Theme:
The theme of the book is based on good vs. evil. They both resemble each other.
The novel addresses the emotions and relationships that social conventions are a foundation for living one's life. The characters and their actions relate to "good and evil," and "right and wrong." Sula demonstrates the beauty and terror of life, in both conflicts and race, or gender.
Connections/ Thoughts:
This is the second book by Toni Morrison that I have read. She is an amazing writer who allows her novels to real like you are experiencing them as well. I found Sula very interesting because of the conflicts she went through, I never expected the actions she committed to fit her personality. Her friendship with Nel is very popular, most "close" friends become distant after high school or even during high school. For example, myself, I had a best friend my freshman year of high school, our families also had different beliefs. My parents have always been strictly religious and enforced house rules, unlike her who had so much freedom. We soon grew apart as time went by so I understand this novel and the events that occur within in very well.
