Motherhood in Sula

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parts of the novel -- she is an important figure in Medallion, described as "an impressive woman," who "won all social battles with presence." (18) In this first description of Helene, Morrison quickly falls into an epic catalogue, repeating the first words of each short part of a long sentence again and again ("Helene who..."). This repetition allows the reader to understand the influence Helene has on the town; we see why she is respected. Unlike her mother in everyway, she is well known for the good she has done. She has an esteemed presence. Morrison emphasizes the details of her success to highlight how different she has made her life from her mother's.

There is an episode in the early parts of the novel, however, that keeps everything we learn about Helene in perspective. She is a well-respected woman within the Bottom, but on the train trip she takes with Nel, we see that her religious and respectful nature does not protect her from racism. When treated with ...

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lack of attention that Eva gives to Sula. Although she will grow to live a life that is full of order, as a child, she looks for opportunities to remove herself from that world. Sula is a quintessential example of this escape. She realizes this desire to be different upon her return from the trip. She doesn't want to be anyone's child; she develops a sense of "me-ness," and likens her mother's true personality to "custard pudding," feeble and afraid to challenge societal structure. (29; 28) Most important of all the changes the train trip provides, though, is Nel's newfound "strength to cultivate a friend in spite of her mother." (29) This strength opens the door for Sula to change her ...

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