Theme Of Motherhood In Toni Morrison's Sula

In the novel Sula written by Toni Morrison, is a powerful and interesting novel. It has won her numerous of prizes such as the National Bestseller and the Noble Prize Award. Issues of motherhood is a major aspect of the novel, throughout the novel children lives are shaped differently than others, and they will be faced with obstacles. Gather and Grow states ‘‘that a mother is someone who nurtures someone who cares for the deepest places of your heart. Anyone can throw a meal at you or give you a bed to sleep on, but a mother makes a place for you.’’ The novel speaks volumes about what was happening in that era; however, it has matriculated into the 21st century. In the racist community of Bottom there were three ladies in the town that lacked …show more content…
Hannah was a pernicious character. She was not a devoting and loving mother to her daughter Sula. The things that Hannah exhibit in front of Sula were not motherly qualities. She distributed the act of a single mother or someone that does not want to have a child. In relation to Hannah not having motherly qualities she was never shown a mothers love. Hannah battled constantly with herself on how a mother’s love feel. Hannah asked her mother Eva "Mamma, did you ever love us?"(68). For years Hannah felt neglected by her mother; however, Eva loved her children dearly but she was not an affectionate mother. Eva loved her children based on survival needs, many things that she did when they were children were for the best. Eva was the type of mother that will do anything for their children in order for them to survive and have the necessities that they need for everyday living, she supported her children financially. She was also the breadwinner for their family; both mother and father in the home. Morrison signifies this by showing us readers that there are many mothers today …show more content…
She is free, unpredictable curious, and isn’t apologetic for anything. Sula lacked a mother’s love because her mom was never giving the nurturing aspect of love. Sula developed the negative habits of her mother such as regard sex as pleasant and frequent, but otherwise unremarkable. Which resulted in Sula sleeping with her best friend’s husband. She was unapologetic for the hurt she had caused her best friend, her soul mate, her right hand and her confidant. Sula found love and comfort in sex. In this portion of this novel it is shown evidently that the love between mother and daughter is not reciprocated. Firstly, Hannah made a remark that she liked her daughter but there was no love (tolerated her). Hannah betrays Sula by saying the remark ‘’ Sure you do. You love her, like I love Sula. I just don't like her. That's the difference’’ (33). In hearing that remark it triggered a stimulant in Sula’s mind, from that day on she became a new person. She loved her mother dearly before she heard the comment. Morrison shows us readers this aspect of the novel is to give us awareness that comments like that can change a child’s whole perceptive of you and of life. And if a mother isn’t giving her child conditional love, they will find it in someone else. Hannah’s death was evidently shown that the love Sula had for her mother was nonexistent anymore. She stood there and watched her died without any pain and remorse. ‘’But