Staying focusing on this aspect instead of
Staying True to YourselfAppearances are important towards every individual but what is truly important is keeping your individuality. In the novel Sula by Toni Morrison it stands as a book upstanding women, focusing on this aspect instead of the opposite gender. Almost all the characters that are focused on are women which contributes to feminist point of view. Men are always perceived to leave their wives after being overly dependent towards them.
Then the women are left with nothing and forced to fend not only for themselves but their family. Now the book has a focused view to the capabilities of women to which they go against all social normalities posed upon themselves. This line of events is repeated for almost all women in the story. Each gender in the novel sticks to one perception. Actually every single of the women in the novel can be considered a role model, to some extent.
But one person cannot be considered to follow the feminist ideas presented.Living up to appearances unlike standing up to oppression is introduced in the very beginning with Nel and her mother. Helene exhibits the nature for Nels future ambitions in the novel. Continuously she is manipulative with her family to get rid of her fear of not being accepted by the community. This stigma of living up to society’s expectations is truly represented through her.
One example is Nel’s memory to Helene sowing a lavacious dress when needing to board a train with fellow passengers. This effort described through Nel’s eyes is significant for recognizing Helene’s fear to not be accepted and fueling Nel’s desire to not be like her. This experience made Nel have the desire to not be the same as her mother in which “ Nel didn’t know quite what she meant, but on the other hand she knew exactly what she meant.
I’m me. I’m not their daughter… I’m Me. (28)” The beginning sets up the backstory for the girls so we can be fully enveloped into their relationship up to adulthood. So contrasting Helene is Eva Peace who is fully fleshed out to be an upstart for living against gender roles. The theme emphasized by her character inclusion is survival.
Eva sacrifices everything for her family which represents her will for survival. After her husband left she took the responsibility of taking care of her family. She takes up all the responsibilities a man is supposed to do and her theme is fully represented when she chooses to cut off her leg for her family.
Her self sacrifice of her legs clearly represents this concept of female capabilities and responsibility. So how this is represented can be the complete opposite of the helpless female stigma in society. With thier building relationship it sets the perfect premise for growing the novels support towards women.
One main example for developing the rights for women is the free spirited Sula Peace. She can be an example of the commentary against female stereotypes. She completely represents the stigma presented in the book for women being more capable than men.
Each action is an emphasis on the freedom of women. Even through Sula actions towards romancing men is questionable you can still love Sula as an upstander for what she wants in life. Of course in society having Sulas fierceness to keep our own individuality as females is important. From her actions you can truly learn concerning when she puts herself first over others. She realizes she needs to satisfy her needs, not wanting others to tell her what she needs.
Against the criticisms of the community, at such a young age she was able to keep her own individuality which can explain the reason why the book was named after Sula. The rose embodies the uniqueness in Sula no matter how she is perceived.She holds herself with a sense of individuality unlike the background girls portrayed in the novel. That is why this value is chosen to embody Sula and be the title to this book.
No matter how much she is ridiculed she never changes herself to fit the public image. A beautiful rose or the bite of a snake she does keep her ideals close to her heart forever in the novel.Another focus is not just a typical bond between a man and woman but the bond of friendship between two females. Teaching to find a husband is what is important that. Actually even though the book is named after Sula the protagonist can be considered to be Nel. On the outside they are complete polar opposites from there skin color to simple personality differences.
Sula being the impulsive go-getter from Nel listening to everything she is told. From the get-go they get along extremely well even with their apparent differences. But separated into two parts is the simplicity of childhood to the complexity of adulthood. At the beginning the feminine bond is strong but it is put to the test when they grow up as adults.
Of course people seperate at times so when Nel marries she confides to social norms of the community, that a husband will bring you happiness. Ironically she is in some ways like her mother, abing to social appearances and conforming to the community stereotype of what women should be. Now the relationship so heavily focused on is put to the test. Daring Sula goes to have an affair with Nel’s husband Jude. Only now can it be considered that the relationship is torn Nel follows all the rules set by the community but in a way she was trapped by the convention of society. Meanwhile Sula lived freely, breaking each rule so she can live in freedom.
Later Nel realizes her need for freedom and after many years can forgive Sula for what she had done. Missing the one person who she can talk to like when they were children makes her see what was wrong with her life. [quote of girl girl girl] this can be how much a female relationship is more valued than the typical one relinquishes Nel to finally be able to forgive Sula