Toni Morrisons Sula - The Judgment of Sula - 703 Words

The Judgment of Sula nbsp; Toni Morrison first took the stage as a writer in 1970 with her book The Bluest Eye. In 1973 she published her second novel Sula, and she has been writing ever since. Sara Blackburn reviewed Sula for the New York Times when it first made its way onto the scene, and while she did offer a nice plot summary, her review seemed to carry a message addressed to Morrison rather than to the reader. nbsp; Blackburn begins her article by discussing Morrisons first book, The Bluest Eye, claiming that because of the womens movement The Bluest Eye attracted more attention than it would have and that it was read uncritically because people were pleased with a new talent and ignored the flaws of the book†¦show more content†¦nbsp; Blackburn continues by providing a summary of Sula. While her summary remains accurate, her word choice has a somewhat negative connotation, and could almost be considered mocking. She refers to Nel as a goody-goody, Sula as insistent and the black community as scrabbling (par 4). nbsp; However, not all of Blackburns remarks regarding Morrisons work are negative or coated with a disapproving edge. In paragraph seven of her review, she tells the reader that Morrisons novel is too vital and rich to be confined within the limits of an allegory. This however seems to be her only truly positive comment about Sula, and while Blackburn praises Morrison for her ability as a writer; she makes no secret for her dislike of Morrisons topics. nbsp; After going through a laundry list of what the novels flaws are, including the overwhelming bitterness throughout the novel, the narrowness of its setting and characters and its inability to sustain itself past the first readingall of which are arguable points, Blackburn ends by personally attacking what Morrison chooses to write as an author (par 8, 10). nbsp; She agrees that Morrison is talented, too talented in fact, to remain the recorder of the black side of American life. She ends her article by stating that if Morrison were to address different issues, she might transcend theclassification black women writer and take her place among the mostShow MoreRelatedEssay on Racism and Sexism in Toni Morrisons Sula1600 Words   |  7 PagesRacism and Sexism in Toni Morrisons Sula Racism and sexism are both themes that are developed throughout the novel Sula, by Toni Morrison. The book is based around the black community of The Bottom, which itself was established on a racist act. Later the characters in this town become racist as well. This internalized racism that develops may well be a survival tactic developed by the people over years, which still exists even at the end of the novel. The two main characters of thisRead MoreMotherhood in Sula1346 Words   |  6 PagesToni Morrison’s Sula revolves around the relationship of her two main characters, Sula and Nel. The childhood friends grow apart with age. Although it is indicated that their friendship is the most important relationship they participate in, they eventually betray each other and lead dishonest lives. Throughout the novel, we see their constantly deteriorating relationship as a result of absence of a family life. Sula is a novel about the influence family may have on the make up of someone’s personalityRead More`` Sula `` : Themes Of Racism And Sexism1657 Words   |  7 PagesName Teacher Class Date Word Count Racism and Sexism Throughout Toni Morrison’s novel, Sula, The two themes of racism and sexism are introduced. â€Å"The Bottom† is the African American society of which the novel is based off of. The town, itself, seems to even be a symbol of racism since it was only established because of an act of racism. The people in â€Å"The Bottom† are subjected to racism on a daily basis, however throughout the novel it becomes clear that even they because racist as well. The racismRead More Definitions of Self in Community in Morrisons Sula and Song of Solomon6961 Words   |  28 PagesDefinitions of Self In Community in Sula and Song of Solomon        Ã‚  Ã‚   In that place, where they tore the nightshade and blackberry patches from their roots to make room for the Medallion City Golf Course, there once was a neighborhood (Sula 1). Toni Morrison begins the novel Sula with these powerful words, describing more than a physical place, but a spiritual place where a community once stood. She begins with the destruction of the community, ultimately beginning at the end because her novel