Two Sides of The Same Personality in Sula and Nel

In Toni Morrison's novel Sula, the reader's perception of good and evil is challenged as the story unfolds within a small black community in Ohio, post-World War I. The main characters, Sula and Nel, provide a lens through which racial and gender relationships in twentieth-century segregated America can be examined. While initially appearing as polar opposites, Sula and Nel are actually two sides of the same coin, with their differences complementing each other and creating the potential for an integrated personality (Alfaqir 67). Despite their contrasting behaviors and attitudes towards life, a closer analysis reveals that they share many similarities, albeit shaped by their respective environments.

One notable difference between Sula and Nel lies in their views on conformity to societal norms. Sula is portrayed as disobedient, nonconformist, and indecent, making it difficult for readers to identify with her (Abbas 121). In contrast, Nel leads a traditional life, adhering to her mother's expectations and conforming to societal rules, which positions her as a positive character. This disparity in behavior can be attributed to their childhood experiences. Nel grows up in a household that emphasizes strict obedience, leading her imagination to be suppressed by her mother (Morrison 25). Sula, on the other hand, is raised by a mother who disregards societal rules, attracting men's attention and influencing Sula's mindset (Alfaqir 68). However, despite their differences, both girls harbor discontentment with their surroundings. Sula finds solace in Nel's orderly home, where she can sit peacefully, while Nel is drawn to Sula's chaotic household, where her mother does not scold or give directions (Morrison 34). These moments reveal that, deep down, Sula desires obedience like Nel, while Nel yearns for the freedom and willfulness of Sula. Their environments, however, force them to embody the opposite of their desires.

Initially, Sula is seen as cruel, while Nel is depicted as kind-hearted. Yet, both characters possess elements of evil. Sula's return to her town after a decade is met with disdain, as she is perceived as a "devouring evil" due to her advocacy for women's financial and sexual freedom, which challenges societal norms (Morrison 9). Additionally, her reputation for cruelty stems from her childhood, where she witnessed her mother burn without intervening (Abbas 120). Although she betrays Nel by sleeping with her husband, Sula does not consider it a wrongdoing, as she views sexual encounters as insignificant (Abbas 121). Similarly, Nel harbors her own capacity for evil, demonstrated when she realizes her enjoyment at the moment of Chicken Little's drowning (Morrison 152). Sula is labeled as evil primarily because her worldview contradicts that of society, while Nel conceals her cruelty to conform to social norms.

Despite their different paths, both Sula and Nel yearn for love and family. Nel, raised to conform, follows the expected trajectory of marriage, motherhood, and domesticity, becoming an obedient housewife. Sula's upbringing deviates from societal expectations, causing her to reject the idea of having children after witnessing the unpredictable nature of life and the instability of human emotions (Alfaqir 69). Although Sula engages in promiscuous relationships, she is willing to renounce her freedom and create a family with Ajax (Alfaqir 70). However, Ajax abandons her, leaving Sula with no choice but to return to her individualistic lifestyle (Alfaqir 73). While both women had the opportunity to form a family, Sula's nonconformist worldview prevents her from becoming the obedient housewife that Nel embodies.

In conclusion, Sula and Nel can be seen as two sides of the same personality. Despite their contrasting behaviors and values, their characters are shaped by their environments. Their similarities are most evident in their childhood, where Sula exhibits calmness and thoughtfulness, while Nel displays disobedience and willfulness. Both characters possess elements of evil, with Sula's worldview clashing with societal norms, while Nel represses her cruelty to conform. Additionally, both women desire love and family, but Sula's nonconformity prevents her from embracing the traditional path that Nel follows. Ultimately, the novel highlights how individuals with similar temperaments can evolve differently based on their surroundings.

Works Cited

Abbas, Ahmed Hashim. “New Issues of Women Characters in Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye and Sula.” Journal of Basra Researches for Human Sciences, vol. 43, no. 1, 2018, pp. 113-124.

Alfaqir, Najd F. “Positive Liberty and Black Female Subjectivity in Toni Morrison’s Sula.” International Journal of Social Science Studies, vol. 6, no. 6, 2018, pp64-73.

Morrison, Toni. Sula. Vintage, 2004.