Masculinity And Femininity In Sula

Study of Femininity and Psychological Effect in Sula There are several pages of literary criticisms to sift through about Sula, but the most prevalent themes are based on the feminine and psychological lenses that can be applied to the novel. Both are large parts of the book, and without them, large points are missed. Symbolism of the characters is another large part of the work that cannot be overlooked without missing out on a large portion of what gives the book a deeper meaning. The feminine lens would seem to be the most obvious choice for looking at Sula, but not the most plentiful option for actual literary criticism. These criticisms are focused mainly on the independence of Sula and the strength Nel gains. Sula’s free willed nature makes the community dislike her and obviously wish she would be more restrained. The …show more content…
"Something Other Than A Family Quarrel: The Beautiful Boys In Morrison's "Sula.." African American Review 37.4 (2003): 517-533. Literary Reference Center. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. This paper focuses on Morrison’s treatment of sexism in her books. It gives examples of how the gender roles are challenged, and both femininity and masculinity are present in both sexes. The men are discussed the most, and they are shown as not being merely supporting characters for the women, but are equally important. I personally don’t really agree with or like the views expressed in this article.
Nissen, Axel. "Form Matters: Toni Morrison's Sula And The Ethics Of Narrative." Contemporary Literature 40.2 (1999): 263. Literary Reference Center. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. This article focuses on Sula as a philosophical piece, saying it asks how one should live. This paper explains that since Sula is a novel instead of a treatise, the answer is derived from the characters and plot in the story. The article argues that because of the nature of the book, the role of reader as judge and interpreter is extremely important. I find these ideas somewhat