Sula (2021)

• Book: Sula by Toni Morrison  pp. 49 – 56

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pp. 49–53 review questions:

• Describe how the men in the streets of Medallion act toward passing women. Use at least three pieces of evidence. 
• What does Morrison’s use of the phrase “valley of eyes” imply about the girls’ feelings about being looked it?
• Who is Ajax? 
• Explain the following simile from p. 51: “they moved towards the ice-cream parlor like tightrope walkers.” Who are they? How do they feel? Why? 
• Explain why Sula and Nel became friends using at least three pieces of evidence.
• The epigraph of this book reads:
• Nobody knew the rose of the world…but me…I had too much glory. They don’t want glory like that in nobody’s heart.” From “The Rose Tattoo” by Tennessee Williams. Knowing what you do now, who or what might this epigraph refer to? Explain.

pp. 53–56

• What does Morrison refer to as unshaped and formless? Why?
• Describe the conflict presented on p. 53.
• Why do you think Nel acquiesces on p. 54? What does this show of their friendship?
• What does Morrison’s use of the word “prey” imply on p. 54? 
• How and why do the boys’ opinions of Sula and Nel change on p. 54? 
• How does Sula deal with the boys? What is her motivation here? 
• How does Nel feel toward Sula at the top of p. 55? 
• According to the information on p. 55, what kinds of things do Sula and Nel like to do with each other? 
• What impact does Sula have on Nel with regard to her mother’s orders?
• Why do the girls go for walks if they don’t want ice cream? 
• How is Sula like her grandmother, Eva, in this scene?

Sula literally sacrifices a piece of herself to protect Nel, like Eva with her leg. Sula shows her love through extreme actions. This shocks Nel, which will later be key in understanding their relationship.