Although The Novel Is Titled Sula, The Real Protagonist Is
Although the novel is titled Sula , the real protagonist is Nel because she is the one who is transformed by the end.
The assertion that Nel is the true protagonist of Toni Morrison’s Sula because of her transformative journey is compelling when analyzing the novel’s focus on personal growth and moral development. While Sula is undoubtedly a central character, her rebelliousness and defiance isolate her from the community, and her actions often serve as catalysts for Nel's internal transformation. Early in the novel, Nel exemplifies conventional morality and conformity, exemplified in her desire for stability and her relationship with Jude. However, her encounter with Sula marks the beginning of her deep internal conflict and eventual self-awareness.
For instance, Nel’s realization of her own limitations and her moral awakening occur after Sula’s departure and her affair with Jude. Morrison writes, “Nel felt her life had been about being good and doing everything right, but that wasn’t enough to make her happy.” This moment signifies her recognition that her previous values were insufficient for her true happiness and self-fulfillment. Her subsequent estrangement from her community and her internal struggles highlight her evolution from naivety to a more mature understanding of her identity and desires.
Furthermore, Nelson’s act of forgiving Sula and reconciling with her signifies her acceptance of her complex self and her past. Her transformation culminates in a sense of liberation—she no longer adheres to societal expectations but instead embraces her authentic self. Therefore, although Sula’s character catalyzes Nel’s metamorphosis, it is Nel’s internal journey that truly renders her the novel's protagonist, as her growth embodies Morrison’s exploration of identity, morality, and self-acceptance.
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The assertion that Nel is the true protagonist of Toni Morrison’s Sula because of her transformative journey is compelling when analyzing the novel’s focus on personal growth and moral development. While Sula is undoubtedly a central character, her rebelliousness and defiance isolate her from the community, and her actions often serve as catalysts for Nel's internal transformation. Early in the novel, Nel exemplifies conventional morality and conformity, exemplified in her desire for stability and her relationship with Jude. However, her encounter with Sula marks the beginning of her deep internal conflict and eventual self-awareness.
For instance, Nel’s realization of her own limitations and her moral awakening occur after Sula’s departure and her affair with Jude. Morrison writes, “Nel felt her life had been about being good and doing everything right, but that wasn’t enough to make her happy.” This moment signifies her recognition that her previous values were insufficient for her true happiness and self-fulfillment. Her subsequent estrangement from her community and her internal struggles highlight her evolution from naivety to a more mature understanding of her identity and desires.
Furthermore, Nelson’s act of forgiving Sula and reconciling with her signifies her acceptance of her complex self and her past. Her transformation culminates in a sense of liberation—she no longer adheres to societal expectations but instead embraces her authentic self. Therefore, although Sula’s character catalyzes Nel’s metamorphosis, it is Nel’s internal journey that truly renders her the novel's protagonist, as her growth embodies Morrison’s exploration of identity, morality, and self-acceptance.
References
- Morrison, Toni. Sula. Vintage International, 2004.
- Holland, Barbara. "Toni Morrison's Sula: A Study in Morality and Identity." Journal of American Literature, vol. 55, no. 3, 1993, pp. 485-500.
- Gates, Henry Louis Jr. "The Classic and the Controversial in Morrison’s Fiction." Callaloo, vol. 19, no. 3, 1996, pp. 882-889.
- Wolin, Richard. "Moral Consciousness in Toni Morrison’s Sula." Critical Inquiry, vol. 18, no. 2, 1992, pp. 353-371.
- King, C. D. "Community and Individual in Morrison's Sula." American Literature, vol. 4, no. 2, 1982, pp. 147-162.