Toni Morrison’s novel Sula is a classic work of American literature and a timeless tale of two best friends growing apart. It takes place in the fictional town of Medallion, Ohio, and focuses on the lives of two African-American women, Sula and Nel. Sula is a wild, independent spirit, while Nel is more conservative and practical. Despite their differences, the two are inseparable, until Sula makes a decision that threatens their friendship and forces them to confront the forces of morality, judgment, and prejudice that shape their community.
The novel begins when Sula and Nel are children in an all-black community in the 1920s. The children are connected by a shared history and bright future as they bounce freely between the Wrightson and Peace households. Nel grows up getting the appropriate “training” while Sula creates her own rules and follows her own desires. From an early age, Sula is a defiant, individualistic spirit, remaining extraordinary despite the small-minded judgments of the community.
When Sula is ten, the novel takes an unexpected turn with Shadrack’s return from war. Shadrack is the town’s “crazy” veteran, chosen to represent the fine line between insanity and insight. He is both a tragic figure and a powerful symbol of understanding and strength. In this way, he reflects Sula’s struggle between fitting in and being her own person.
As girls, Sula and Nel decide to test their limits together by crossing the Ohio River. Once on the other side, they both encounter a different world fraught with insecurities and uncertainties. Sula embraces the chaos while Nel clings to the comfort and familiarity of the known. This excursion helps to underscore their distinct personalities and ultimately leads to a rift in their relationship when they return home.
From then on, Sula and Nel live their lives in a way that reflects their opposing worldviews. Sula is determined to explore as much as possible, while Nel follows the status quo and marries. As they enter adulthood, their paths diverge further as Sula refuses to conform and has a string of relationships with different men. This moral transgression marks her as an outsider in her small-town life and destroys her bond with Nel.
The rift between the two is made even more apparent when Sula allows the death of a small boy from her house fire – a social taboo in their community. This act deepens the gulf between her and Nel, inspiring fear, anger, and even shock from Nel and the rest of the town. In this way, Sula’s choices not only reflect her individualism, but also challenge the values of the town’s narrow-minded inhabitants.
Sula’s ultimately concludes with the hard-won reconciliation of Sula and Nel. After enduring alienation, the two friends come to understand the value of their differences. As they embrace one another, the story is framed by a community mourning Sula’s eventual death. Although tragic, this ending allows us to reflect on their remarkable friendship and its ability to endure despite the pressures of society.
Toni Morrison’s award-winning Sula is a stunning work of literature that captures the complexities of friendship and morality. Its vivid setting and complex characters paint a picture of the African-American experience that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The lasting power of Sula’s story speaks to Morgan’s remarkable skill as a writer and the timelessness of her themes.
