Sula

Toni Morrison

“Sula” by Toni Morrison is a powerful novel that employs various literary devices to explore themes of identity, community, and the search for meaning in life. Through her use of symbolism, foreshadowing, and multiple perspectives, Morrison crafts a complex and haunting story of two African-American women who forge a deep and tumultuous bond in a small Ohio town. The novel challenges readers to question their assumptions about race, gender, and morality, while also offering a rich and poetic exploration of the human experience.

Themes 📚

1. Identity and Self-Discovery: The novel explores the themes of identity and self-discovery through the experiences of its two central characters, Sula and Nel. Both women struggle to define themselves in relation to their families, their community, and each other, ultimately finding solace in different paths.
2. Community and Isolation: The novel also explores the tension between community and isolation, as the town of Medallion struggles to balance the need for collective action with the desire for individual autonomy. Sula’s rejection of the community’s norms and values leads to her ostracization, while Nel’s adherence to those same norms leads to her isolation.
3. Gender and Sexuality: The novel also delves into issues of gender and sexuality, particularly in relation to African-American women. Sula and Nel both struggle with societal expectations and stereotypes around gender and sexuality, ultimately finding empowerment in different ways.
4. Friendship and Betrayal: The friendship between Sula and Nel is a central theme of the novel, with their bond alternating between intimacy and betrayal. The novel explores the complexity and fragility of friendship, as well as the power dynamics that can arise in close relationships.
5. Memory and History: The novel also explores the themes of memory and history, as the characters grapple with the legacy of slavery and racism in America. The novel questions the reliability and significance of historical narratives, while also highlighting the importance of personal memory and storytelling.
6. Good and Evil: Finally, the novel explores the themes of good and evil, challenging readers’ assumptions about morality and judgment. Sula’s character in particular defies easy categorization, leading readers to question their own preconceptions about what makes someone “good” or “bad.”

Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽

1. Symbolism: Symbolism is used throughout the novel to represent various themes and ideas. For example, the deweys, or neighborhood prostitutes, symbolize the sexual autonomy and independence that Sula represents, while the “bottom,” or the poorest part of town, symbolizes the marginalized and oppressed members of the community.
2. Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is used to hint at future events and build suspense. For example, the novel opens with a description of the “dewinged bird” that haunts the town, foreshadowing the tragedy that will occur later in the story.
3. Multiple Perspectives: The novel uses multiple perspectives to explore the complexity and subjectivity of truth. The narrative shifts between Sula, Nel, and other characters, allowing the reader to see events from different angles and question their own assumptions.
4. Metaphor: Metaphors are used to draw comparisons between seemingly unrelated objects or concepts. For example, the river is a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of change, while Sula’s birthmark is a metaphor for her otherness and outsider status.
5. Irony: Irony is used to convey a difference between what is expected and what actually occurs. For example, Sula is viewed as an evil and dangerous figure by many in the community, but her actions actually serve to expose and challenge the oppressive norms and values that govern their lives.
6. Allusion: Allusions are references to historical, cultural, or literary works that deepen the meaning of a text. For example, the novel references the biblical story of Cain and Abel, which echoes the themes of sibling rivalry, betrayal, and the burden of history that are central to the novel.
7. Mood: The novel creates a distinct mood through its use of vivid imagery, lyrical language, and haunting symbolism. The mood is both dreamlike and nightmarish, evoking the sense of a world that is both beautiful and cruel.
8. Flashback: Flashbacks are used to provide background information and develop character. For example, Sula’s backstory is revealed through a series of flashbacks, which help the reader to understand her motivations and actions.
9. Foils: Foils are characters who are used to highlight the traits or qualities of another character. Sula and Nel are foils to each other, with their contrasting personalities and life paths serving to emphasize their differences and similarities.
10. Themes: The novel explores a variety of themes, including identity, community, gender, memory, and morality. These themes are woven together through the use of literary devices such as symbolism, foreshadowing, and multiple perspectives, creating a rich and complex narrative that challenges readers’ assumptions and provokes deep reflection.

Examples of Literary Devices 📋

1. Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
Sula’s birthmark	Sula’s birthmark, shaped like a rose, foreshadows her role as a symbol of beauty, passion, and danger in the community.
Chicken Little’s death	The accidental death of Chicken Little foreshadows the later tragedies and conflicts that will occur in the community as a result of Sula’s actions.
Sula’s fascination with death	Sula’s early fascination with death foreshadows her eventual acceptance of her own mortality and her role in the cycle of life and death.

2. Symbolism

Example	Explanation
The Bottom	The Bottom, the African-American community in which the novel takes place, symbolizes the marginalization and oppression faced by its inhabitants.
The plum tree	The plum tree symbolizes the connection between Nel and Sula, as well as the connection between the natural world and the human world.
The train tunnel	The train tunnel symbolizes escape and the possibility of leaving behind the limitations imposed by the Bottom.

3. Irony

Example	Explanation
Sula’s role as a scapegoat	It is ironic that Sula, who challenges the traditional values of the community, becomes a scapegoat for their problems when her presence actually forces them to confront their own issues.
Nel’s realization at the end of the novel	Nel comes to realize that it was not Sula, but herself who was truly the “bad” one in their friendship. This irony highlights the complexity of human nature and the novel’s themes of self-discovery.
The naming of the Bottom	The Bottom is ironically named, as it is situated on a hilltop, representing the inversion of social and racial hierarchies present in the novel.

4. Flashbacks

Example	Explanation
Shadrack’s war experience	Flashbacks to Shadrack’s war experience help to explain his mental state and the origins of National Suicide Day.
Eva’s backstory	Flashbacks reveal Eva’s backstory, including her decision to cut off her own leg, highlighting her resilience and strength in the face of adversity.
Sula and Nel’s childhood	Flashbacks to Sula and Nel’s childhood provide insight into the development of their friendship and the events that shaped their individual characters.

5. Imagery

Example	Explanation
The deweys	The descriptions of the deweys, the three boys Eva takes in, create a sense of mystery and otherworldliness that surrounds their characters.
The river	The imagery of the river symbolizes the passage of time and the ever-changing nature of life, reflecting the novel’s themes of transformation and growth.
The fire at Eva’s home	The vivid imagery of the fire at Eva’s home serves to heighten the drama of the scene and emphasizes the destructive power of human actions.

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