Sula by Toni Morrison is the literature prose is the official literature text for IJMB Literature from 2021 – 2024, IJMB students are advised to study this summary after they read the book.
GAIN ADMISSION INTO ANY NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY WITHOUT JAMB – REGISTER FOR IJMB TODAY
Characters In The Book Sula by Toni Morrison
Sula, written by Toni Morrison, features a diverse cast of characters whose lives and interactions drive the narrative forward. Below is a detailed analysis of the major and minor characters in the book:
Major Characters:
- Sula Peace: Sula is the titular character and the protagonist of the novel. She grows up in the Bottom, defying societal norms and embracing her individuality. Sula is often seen as reckless and unapologetic, challenging conventional notions of morality and relationships. Her actions disrupt the community, and she becomes a symbol of both freedom and chaos.
- Nel Wright Greene: Nel is Sula’s childhood friend and the novel’s other central character. Unlike Sula, Nel adheres to societal expectations and conformity. She represents the more traditional path for black women in the community, conforming to gender roles and marrying young. Nel’s journey explores the conflicts between loyalty, conformity, and personal desires.
- Eva Peace: Eva is Sula’s grandmother and the matriarch of the Peace family. She is a resilient and resourceful woman who lost her leg to an insurance scam. Eva’s character embodies strength, survival, and the lengths a mother would go to protect her family.
- Hannah Peace: Hannah is Sula’s mother, known for her beauty and promiscuity. She embodies unconventional ideas about sexuality and motherhood. Hannah’s relationships and choices impact both Sula and the community at large.
- Shadrack: Shadrack is a war veteran suffering from PTSD. He introduces the concept of National Suicide Day, which becomes an annual event in the Bottom. Shadrack symbolizes the psychological scars of war and explores the themes of sanity, control, and the aftermath of trauma.
- Jude Greene: Jude is Nel’s husband, initially portrayed as a loving and devoted partner. However, his infidelity with Sula fractures his marriage and highlights the complexities of desire, betrayal, and the consequences of forbidden love.
Related: Themes In The Book Sula By Toni Morrison
Minor Characters:
- Pearl Peace: Pearl is Sula’s younger half-sister, born from Hannah’s affair with a white man. She grows up sheltered and isolated, longing for a sense of belonging. Pearl’s character highlights the complexities of racial identity and the challenges faced by biracial individuals.
- Tar Baby: Tar Baby is Sula’s childhood friend and companion. He serves as a reminder of the racial stereotypes and discrimination faced by black men in society. Tar Baby’s relationship with Sula explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the limitations placed on black men.
- Ajax: Ajax is a charismatic and confident man who becomes involved with both Sula and Nel. He represents the allure of masculinity and embodies the tensions between personal desires and societal expectations.
- Helene Wright: Helene is Nel’s mother, a devoutly religious and respectable woman who values appearances and societal acceptance. Helene’s character explores the themes of respectability politics, the burden of black women’s respectability, and the generational conflicts within the community.
- Plum Peace: Plum is Sula’s brother, a World War I veteran who becomes addicted to drugs. His character embodies the impact of war and addiction on the individual and their loved ones, shedding light on the challenges faced by returning black soldiers.
Each character in Sula brings a unique perspective, contributing to the exploration of themes such as race, gender, identity, community, and the complexities of human relationships. Their interactions and choices shape the narrative, delving into the intricacies of the Bottom community and the characters’ individual struggles.
