Morrison’s SULA is a story of motherhood, love, love, and friendship. The novel features a tale of two women Nel and Sula, whose friendship is challenged by societal norms (Morrison, 29). I agree with the assertion that even though the title is SULA, the actual protagonist in Nel as she is the transformed one at the end. In the book, as depicted by Morrison, Nel is the more traditional protagonist who is occasionally wronged by her friend Sula who ruins her life and her husband. Yet, she is still the one we identify with. Nel and Sula started as childhood friends, but as time passed, Sula developed a debilitating disease and habit of sleeping with married men, including Nel’s husband. On the other hand, Nel continues adhering to societal norms. .As the main character, Sula dies at the end of the novel. At this point, Nel is lonely and finds herself alone where she begins to cry, “in circles and circles of sorrow where the cry had no bottom or top.” (Morrison, 73) for the loss of her friend. The scene captures the act of friendship and forgiveness. “Nel was subject to an overly- strict upbringing” however, as a child, is was mischievous compared to Sula. As they grow, Nel changes into an orderly well-behaved woman while Sula transforms from a better child to a dramatic adult. Therefore, Nel, the child reminds us of Sula, the adult (Morrison, 17).
Student Response
Morrison indeed captures Sula as the main protagonist in the story; however, as the story continues, the character roles become clear with the introduction of a Nel, Sula’s childhood friend. Nel brings out a more captivating character than that portrayed by Sula as they grow from childhood to adulthood. I agree that Nel is the “better adult” but not forget that Sula was the “better child.” Both of these characters are subjects of progressive change from childhood to adulthood. It is also true that without Nel, the story would not be complete because for Sula’s role to be clear in the novel, an exact opposite but significant character like Nel was vital.