Sula Discussion

Following her return after a ten year absence, Eva is highly critical of her daughter Sula. Eva believes that Sula needs to get married and have some kids, in order to “settle her”. Also, Eva says that her bad mood, is the way in which Sula has found her in on that particular day. Due to the fact that Sula just “dropped in”, Eva had no warning to prepare herself. Eva believes that Sula has “no business floatin’ around with no man”. Sula criticizes Eva for killing Plum, but Eva reminds her that she watched Hannah burn. Sula threatens to kill Eva just like Eva did to Plum, by burning her.
      The irony about this exchange, is the criticism of Eva of her own daughter. Sula went off and attended college for an unspecified amount of time. One would think that instead of scolding Sula for leaving, Eva would be proud of her daughter for obtaining a higher education, a rarity at that time especially for an African-American female. For many mothers, this would be the case but not for Eva. Eva believes that Sula should have followed the path that society laid out for her, and the path that was laid out for many African-American women during this time period. Specifically, this is getting married, settling down, and having kids. Sula breaks this social mold, and this is the main reasons behind Eva’s criticism.
      Overall, I would have to disagree with the criticism’s handed down to Sula by her mother. While we don’t know exactly what Sula did during the time period that she left, she did do something productive by attending college. This was a definite good thing for Sula, as it removed her from the setting of the bottom, where some much of her sinfulness had occurred. I do agree with Eva although, that Sula should have stayed in touch with her family and giving Eva a warning before just dropping in. I can partially see why Eva wants Sula to get married. Later on in the novel, Sula steals Jude from Nel and completely severs their relationship, at least from Nel’s point... [continues]

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