Sula, a novel written by Nobel Prize-winning author, Toni Morrison, encompasses a theme of binary opposites including the complex idea of stasis and change, to simpler oppositions such as male and female. In the first chapter of Part II of Sula (1937, pages 89-11), Morrison challenges these oppositions with the immediate sense of change Sula and Nel both encounter. After years of separation, Morrison accurately creates a homecoming that illustrates the themes effectively. Nel, still the modest and independent woman, sees Sula for the first time in ten years and automatically Nel feels at peace. This interaction furthers the stasis and change theme proving that things may have changed, but deep down they are still the same girls they knew ten
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In order to deepen our understanding of one of the main themes, stasis and change, Morrison centers in on Nel’s individual perspective. Before, when Nel was younger, she was the quite and unassuming child. Her household was much different than Sula’s; the moments when they were together, Nel was the independent, and somewhat repressive child, while Sula was the free-spirited, vibrant child. Not much has changed after ten years, however, she grew up, got married, and started a family – everything she believed a conventional woman should do. When Sula came back to the Bottom, Nel was happy. To Nel, nothing had changed, everything had stayed the same with Sula. She made her laugh, she helped her see things in a different perspective, she even made her feel smart and “a little raunchy”. Her old friend was home. Nel also believed that, “Sula never competed, she simply helped others find themselves.” This is a unique and very important viewpoint because had Morrison chose to write in Sula’s perspective, she would not have said that about herself. Sula knew what others though about her and she believed it too. One noticeable change that helps further the theme is the condition of Nel’s house and children. Growing up, Nel was a very clean, proper child and her home was always in order and well-kept. However, when Sula comes to visit, ten years later, Nel’s kitchen is a mess, her furniture is dusty and her children look like “three wild things happily insouciant.” This illustration of change helps us better understand one of Morrison’s main themes of stasis and
In order to deepen our understanding of one of the main themes, stasis and change, Morrison centers in on Nel’s individual perspective. Before, when Nel was younger, she was the quite and unassuming child. Her household was much different than Sula’s; the moments when they were together, Nel was the independent, and somewhat repressive child, while Sula was the free-spirited, vibrant child. Not much has changed after ten years, however, she grew up, got married, and started a family – everything she believed a conventional woman should do. When Sula came back to the Bottom, Nel was happy. To Nel, nothing had changed, everything had stayed the same with Sula. She made her laugh, she helped her see things in a different perspective, she even made her feel smart and “a little raunchy”. Her old friend was home. Nel also believed that, “Sula never competed, she simply helped others find themselves.” This is a unique and very important viewpoint because had Morrison chose to write in Sula’s perspective, she would not have said that about herself. Sula knew what others though about her and she believed it too. One noticeable change that helps further the theme is the condition of Nel’s house and children. Growing up, Nel was a very clean, proper child and her home was always in order and well-kept. However, when Sula comes to visit, ten years later, Nel’s kitchen is a mess, her furniture is dusty and her children look like “three wild things happily insouciant.” This illustration of change helps us better understand one of Morrison’s main themes of stasis and