Sula by Toni Morrison was written to question the idea of good versus evil. The characters in the novel allows great interest by allowing different behaviors and aspects for the characters throughout the novel to prove their purpose. “The novel invokes oppositions of good/evil, virgin/whore, self/other, but moves beyond them” says Deborah E. McDowell (pg.
82). Morrison established Sula to inform others about characters intentions and thoughts on good versus evil. Morrison also prepares serval ways to identify the different characters in the novel by constantly pointing out the good and evil for the other characters.Nel the character lives in a small town and is a very timid, and peaceful girl. Nel shelters herself behind her innocence, but in reality she is really evil in her heart. Sula is a very busy girl considering she is a city girl. But she is completely independent and plain blunt.
Event though she does evil things on purpose, she still has a very arrogant, independent attitude which makes her have an exceptional heart. The novel for Sula goes through the times periods of 1919-1940. At this time we are reading about how two girls, who are Sula and Nel take their place growing up.
The novels, location take place at “The Bottom” as the caucasian property owners had promised to the slaves they would be free by living in the hills of the Medallion, Ohio. Caucasian property owners took the easy way towards the valley which left the slaves struggling and hustling throughout their life. In the beginning of novel, The two girls Sula and Nel had just began to meet each other. They soon become best friends with each other in their youth years. Nel’s family has certain beliefs and they believe in social conventions.
Nel’s home is more traditional than Sula’s and much more stable. Her family is represented as the reputable family that attends church every Sunday, as well as they evidently are much more respected , and their house is very elegant and spotless. As for Sula’s home is very contrasting. Sula lives with her grandma and her mother who is named Hannah, but she soon later passes away and that both of her role models are seen as weird and non traditional because of her hometown is very hectic, as the ladies willingly loved any man, and that there wasn’t any manly figure in the house hold figure.
Which was a serious stereotype mixed up for evil. Even though they had differences as children they soon became best friends and lived life to the fullest together as friends. But one day a horrible incident had occurred. Sula, was having fun with her friend Chicken Little and happen to let him slip into a river which he ended up drowning in. Sula and Nel both had agreed not to share this tragic incident with anybody who they know about chicken little accident of drowning. After this tragic event had happen Sula, and Nel had happen never to speak to each other again.
Later on in Nel’s life he reflects on the lost of Chicken Littles life being lost as he reminisce on remembering “the good feeling she had had when Chicken Little hands slipped (Sula 170). As for when “Sula had cried and cried when she came back from Shadrack’s house. But Nel had remained calm. ” (pg.
170). “When quoting this it reveals who is really cold hearted and evil although Sula is displaying his guilt and grief over chickens death. As Nel was exceptionally enthusiastic about Chicken Little’s death from the river. Now as time passes by Nel, had settle for a marriage and eventually a family.
However, Sula had went on to live her life independently. Eventually Sula does end up traveling around for ten years and then ends up coming back to her hometown.
