Sula pages 16-48: Overview

Sula is a novel exploring the theme of power in society through both gender and racial lens. The author, Toni Morrison, claimed in the novel's foreword that she did not want to address African-American culture as a "problem" but rather pursue it strictly in literary terms. I found that she somewhat contradicts this statement because there is a clear indication of white versus black race through the mention of skin colors and even behavior. However, I do find that the novel does not focus entirely race and the main purpose is not to depict political power struggles between two different races.

Another major theme in Sula is feminism or a form of female empowerment centralizing around outlawed women. In the foreword, Morrison seeks to discuss the consequences of being an outlaw woman in a woman-prejudiced society. Many female characters have been introduced (Cecila, Helene, Nel, Eva, Hanna, Sula) and I've noticed a pattern  of complexity in personality and responses to trials of being a women. There's a similarity in their experiences due to socio-political issues and family conflicts.

I'm really intrigued on how the novel will progress and also for the character development of Sula, since her name is the title of the novel. Personally, I anticipate how Sula will defy society norms and prove to be somewhat different from how she will respond to socio-economic problems.

Image Credit:

http://dramatica.com/resources/onesheets/sula-one-sheet.jpg