Eva had the most power of anyone in the book, until Sula usurped her position as most powerful. However, Eva was not powerful due to fear, as Sula is. Her power came from respect, which makes Sula’s power almost cheap, in a way. Sula isn’t even trying to be intimidating, but her actions and the people’s lack of understanding for her cause her to appear separate from the common folk. She is placed on a proverbial pedestal, except this pedestal is not one of honor, but rather one of contempt or disgrace. Since Sula’s ultimate usurpation of Eva’s position is done out of fear rather than malice, Sula evidently has no intentions of gaining authority within the Bottom. As a group, too, the people of Bottom have a great amount of power, although they do not know it. They react to Sula’s presence by spreading evidence about her evil ways, and believing what they are told by others. Despite “their conviction of Sula’s evil” (117), they still feel that “the presence of evil was something to be first recognized, then dealt with, survived, outwitted, triumphed over” (118). The people band together in their belief, unified against Sula. They know that they have the capability to drive her out if they so choose, but they do not. Instead, they “protect and love one another” (117).
The way I interpret power for Sula is the strength of someone's ability to control or affect you. So in this sense I believe Eva's family in general has the " power" in the book. Although I agree with Vicki that Sula took the power from Eva I respectfully disagree that it was out of fear. I believe it has something to so with the " sexual power" the women have over the men. I can't fully remember the context of this statement, but I remember Natalie stating that the women's power came from the fact that men existed. Well, I may not remember the full context of this statement, but for the sake of argument, that goes both ways too because power can only exist if it has something " weaker" to compare it too. Now that I have the definitions out of the way, I'd like to elaborate on Eva's family's power. There must be a purpose for the prevalence of sex in the book. Well, usually men are associated with "sexual power", but In this sense the men lack power in the book. I think it's significant that Sula took Eva's place when Eva became less attractive, and that she comes back a full woman. Her power over the men causes all sorts of gossip and frenzy an otherwise irresponsible and inadequate, "becomes the most devoted mother: sober, clean, and industrious"(114). Another manifestation of Sula's power is the fact that, " she suffered no bruises... had no childhood diseases... and neither gnats nor mosquitoes would settle on her"(115). The purpose for this may be that Morrison is attempting to break the stereotypical sexual power that is usually associated with men, which can be interpreted as an anti-misogynist move. Observing world history, ape and sex are detrimental weapons that men use during wars to wound the psyche of women and men as well, but in this book the men needed ther wives to,"sooth the pride and vanity Sula had bruised"(115).
In this novel Sula possess most of the power. She has a major influence over the towns people just due to her presence in Medallion. The lives of the towns people change for the better because of Sula being a social outcast. Since she sleeps with many different husbands, wives start to cherish their husbands more and watch their children more carefully. “They began to cherish their husbands and wives, protect their children” (Morrison 117). Sula changes the towns folk by being promiscuous and making people appreciate what they have. In this novel the towns people lack power when compared to Sula because this one woman is making a whole town change. The people are not brave enough to make needed changes on their own but rely on the camaraderie of others for the drive to go through with it. The people of the town are not individuals like Sula deciding for themselves but rather one entity motivated with the joint goal of overcoming the evil Sula. To “Triumph over the presence of evil” (Morrison 118). I think that this shows how Morrison uses strong minded independent women as signs of strength and importance for readers. -Dante
In addition to Vicki and Danielle's post, the achievment of power comes to those who have some sort of influence on other people, regardless of what causes that influence. Therefore, those who have the most influence over someone or a group of people possess the most power within the novel. Throughout chapter "1939", readers gain the acknowledgement of Sula and her sexual intentions. Her roaring appetite for sex to complete herself causes wives to praise and honor their husbands more and more in order to let them feel like they are cherished. This is due to the fact that the wives do not want their husbands to be "bruised" (Morrison 115) since Sula was "discarding them (their husbands) without any excuse" (Morrison 115). However, characters' influences do not have to be malicious. Eva, who did not sexual interest in men in her later years, gained power through the means of being a philanthropist. By taking others in and allowing them to live in the house that she created, others gave Eva respect and therefore tended to any of Eva's request (such as the Deweys going to the store for her, etc). Consequently, those who do not have any influence on others are typically those who lack power. Nel, who only served to "complete" Jude with regards to their marriage, became dispensible when Sula's errotic desires intertwined with Jude's need to be complete. Despite all of my claims, the characters only have power over those that they influence. This is due to the fact that the people, who are not influenced by someone, do not care or give respect to them. This can be shown through Hannah and Sula's relationship throughout Sula's life. Once Sula gained the acknowledgement that her mother did not like her, she essentially distanced and seperated herself from her mother. This justifies Sula's response when she found her mother burning in which she just observed with a sense of curiosity.
In contrast to all that has been said so far, I would like to say that I think Sula is actually losing power. To generalize, I also think the men maintain more power than we are lead to believe. Up until the chapter that we read tonight, it would appear that the women are the dominant power, for all intents and purposes. Eva controls who people are and how they live, as she had the one home where all could gather and she changed people by changing their names. Sula on the other hand controls men with sex. She is extremely promiscuous, though not in the lustful sense. She maintains power by detaching herself from relationships. And this is where my male power argument comes into play. As she begins her stint with "Ajax", she loses her power. She is actually falling into some semblance of love with Ajax and that is diminishing the power she has. She can no longer go about her days and live her life without a care in the world. Now she cleans and preps in expectation of Ajax. This, in effect, is what leads Ajax to leave. His leaving takes a part of Sula with him, which in a sense shows how he maintained a power stronger than hers. So, I am saying that Ajax has the most power so far in the novel. The arguments previously applied to Sula by other posters can be easily applied to Ajax, with the exception of the fact that unlike Sula, he can separate even farther. Sex is sex, and the only love he has is his mother and airplanes. Sula had a love. She loved Ajax. Love diminishes power, just as she had some sort of break when she realized she loved him, but she didn't even know his name.
Power is bestowed from Eva to Sula after Eva is sent to the nursery home. I interpret Sula's power as an ability to affect a control a person's personality and entire way of life. Sula does this either subconsciously through the reputation of a liar, man-stealer, and although Sula also has a power over men, the reputation she has built up as a devil and witch through accident has caused the individual's around her to change their way of life. The reputation Sula built is indicated in the change of actions such as "their conviction of Sula's evil changed them in accountable yet mysterious ways. Once the source of their personal misfortune was identified, they had leave to protected and love one another" (Sula 117). This shows that Sula's reputation as an evil force affected the villagers by making them change for the better. Sula's subconsciously affected the villagers not only through rumors but allows change within the villagers lives through this power. In a sense, through Sula's early sexual powers over men along with the signs of dead ravens have created this idiosyncratic power that Sula has over people whether she likes it or not. This power changes the ways the villagers viewed each other and their children by developing stronger bonds as shown by "protected and loved one another". Instances where villager say, "Shadrack bowed his hat to her" (Sula 115) only solidify their view more on how evil and a devil Sula is.
As Dan and Josh said, I believe the power in Sula is possessed by the Peace Women, but in this time frame, Sula. To me the one who has power is the one who has the most influence or the one who initiates change. Therefore, Sula is the one with power since she has influenced the people in Medallion to “cherish their husbands and wives, protect their children, repair their homes and in general band together” (117). Although her actions are considered a disgrace or an abomination, the power that came with those actions, was a positive contribution toward the townsmen. I believe she is able to possess this power because she does whatever she wants which attracts the men, which ties into what Natalie has stated before; that men are needed for women to have superiority. Morrison describes Sula “like any artist with no art form, she became dangerous” (121), dangerous in a sense where she is tired of idleness and wants change, chaos, and out-of-the-ordinary sorts. Her desire for something new, rattled the townspeople, which gave her influence over the town since her actions move the people to do things, “they had leave to protect and love on anther” (117). Sula controls the motion of things in Medallion. Whatever path she pursue or actions she takes will have an influence on the Medallion, and that is why Sula has the power. Adding on the Natalie’s comment in class the other day, how men need to be present in order for women to gain superiority. Sula’s understanding or confidence within her died out which was her fuel for her power. “His (Ajax) absence was everywhere, stinging everything” (134). The absence of Ajax causes Sula to act differently compared to earlier in the chapter. (Not sure where I’m going with this, but I thought it was connected to the “men are needed for women’s superiority to occur” idea.
As a pariah, Sula has power over the people of Medallion. By "laying with their husbands once, but no more" (115), Sula not only asserts the control she has over men through sex, she also conveys the power she has over the feelings of women in the process. She "bruises" (115) the women's pride, pushing them to "justify their own judgement [and cherish] their men more" (115). In addition, she singlehandedly and inadvertedly built unity among Bottom's people; because of their unanimous hatred toward Sula, they were pushed to "cherish their husbands and wives, protect their children, repair their homes and in general band together against the devil in their midst" (117). Bringing up this point, one would come to the conclusion that Medallion as a people have power, especially in numbers. Most of the reason why Sula is a pariah is because of the word spread among the city. Her character is distorted by word of mouth,she is believed to have "pushed [Teapot]" (114) when she was helping him up from the steps, and called a "devil" (117). Because Sula is an outcast, she has power over Medallion, but because Medallion is united as a people, they have power over the comprehensive perception of every one's character.
I SUPER agree with Maya! Though Sula has a strong influence on what the rumors in Medallion, the rumors in effect have grander consequences on Sula's life. Because of her promiscuity, the whole town shuns her and "it was the men who gave her the final label" (112). Her actions lead her down the "route from which there was no way back" (112). She is exiled from the community life because of the decisions she made and she is more like a form of entertainment and a conversation piece than an actual threat. Sula feels powerful because she is able to give men pleasure, but she has no true affect outside of the bedroom. When she is having sex with these men, "particles of strength gathered in her... forming a tight cluster that nothing, it seemed, could break" (123). After the act was done, "the cluster did break, fall apart" (123). She is worth nothing if the men don't see her as a valuable addition to their lives. Ajax is the only person that gives her worth for a little while longer, but he too leaves her. Ajax has a leaves a strong impression on Sula, so much so that she "[looks] around for tangible evidence of his having ever been there" (134). His absence even drives her to realize her faults and compels her to admit that "'It's just as well he left'" (136).
The people of The Bottom, as well as Sula have power, as they work hand in hand. Sula’s influence over the town made its people “cherish their husbands and wives, protect their children, repair their homes and in general band together against the devil in their midst” (117). She was able to unify the town as a whole, purely by making them share a common hatred. Although this demonstrates Sula’s power because of her influence, it would not be possible without the people of The Bottom. It’s the rumors that are spread about Sula that build the common hatred of Sula. Although Sula went to help Teapot get up, his mother blew it all out of proportions and “told everybody that Sula had pushed him…” (114). It’s rumors like this that built up Sula’s infamy amongst the townspeople. Although her means of power comes along with the hatred of her peers, it in turn unified the people of The Bottom as a whole, which would not be possible without the spread of rumors. They both have power, but in a way do not because without each other, they would be powerless. Sula and The Bottom’s power of influence work hand in hand and without each other, The Bottom would be a dis-unified town and Sula would be viewed as a “loose” woman like her mother, instead of the “devil” they claim her to be.
To contrary belief, I agree with Haley’s argument about Sula losing power. Although the citizens on Medallion feel that Sula carries a heavy evil that is in control of any unfortunate events, Sula is subjugated to the power of men and thus holds the least power. I believe that between men and Sula, men dominate her thoughts, actions, and motives. Because Sula went to men for comfort, “she could find what she was looking for: misery and the ability to feel deep sorrow” (122). In this case, Sula relies on men to fill her intentions and goals, which in return relinquishes her power to men since she is dependent on them. For example, when Sula participates in sexual activity, a partner “looked down at her, smiling with tender understanding of the state of tearful gratitude to which he believe he had brought her” (123). This indicates that Sula submits to the presence of men that sleep with her. Another example is her association with Ajax. After becoming more comfortable with him, Sula yearns for his presence because she “actually wondered if Ajax would come by that day” (131). In addition, because of Ajax “Sula began to discover what possession was. Not love, perhaps, but possession or at least the desire for it” (131). Therefore, Sula is put into a weak state of mind with regards to Ajax because without him, she would not reach her intentions. In the end, “it was the men who gave her the final label, who fingerprinted her for all time” (112) rather than the citizens of Medallion.
Although I agree with what Haley, Margret, and Maya have said about men in relation to Sula, I maintain that Morrison still highlights women and gives them greater power than men overall. The perfect example of this is how Ajax seems to hold the power in his and Sula's relationship, but how his power derives from a woman. Ajax seems to create "an absence so decorative, so ornate it was difficult for [Sula] to understand how she had ever endured, without falling dead or being consumed, his magnificent presence" (134) but it was his mother who "inspired thoughtfulness and generosity" in him. Morrison balances her description of praise for males, with the roots in a female in order to show how such "manliness" cannot be achieved without a woman's strong influence. Morrison also does this with Jude, the other male character that has a role greater than a nickname. Morrison describes Jude and Nel's relationship when she says "The two of them would make one Jude" (83), expressing that woman are more than a physical pleasure to men and are actually a necessity. Therefore, though men can sometimes appear to have greater power, it is really woman characters who maintain the greatest strength throughout the novel.
Eva had the most power of anyone in the book, until Sula usurped her position as most powerful. However, Eva was not powerful due to fear, as Sula is. Her power came from respect, which makes Sula’s power almost cheap, in a way. Sula isn’t even trying to be intimidating, but her actions and the people’s lack of understanding for her cause her to appear separate from the common folk. She is placed on a proverbial pedestal, except this pedestal is not one of honor, but rather one of contempt or disgrace. Since Sula’s ultimate usurpation of Eva’s position is done out of fear rather than malice, Sula evidently has no intentions of gaining authority within the Bottom.
ReplyDeleteAs a group, too, the people of Bottom have a great amount of power, although they do not know it. They react to Sula’s presence by spreading evidence about her evil ways, and believing what they are told by others. Despite “their conviction of Sula’s evil” (117), they still feel that “the presence of evil was something to be first recognized, then dealt with, survived, outwitted, triumphed over” (118). The people band together in their belief, unified against Sula. They know that they have the capability to drive her out if they so choose, but they do not. Instead, they “protect and love one another” (117).
Wow, Vicki. I didn't see it as the bottom having so much power, but now I do! *snaps snaps snaps* nice analysis(:
Delete-Maya
The way I interpret power for Sula is the strength of someone's ability to control or affect you. So in this sense I believe Eva's family in general has the " power" in the book. Although I agree with Vicki that Sula took the power from Eva I respectfully disagree that it was out of fear. I believe it has something to so with the " sexual power" the women have over the men. I can't fully remember the context of this statement, but I remember Natalie stating that the women's power came from the fact that men existed. Well, I may not remember the full context of this statement, but for the sake of argument, that goes both ways too because power can only exist if it has something " weaker" to compare it too.
ReplyDeleteNow that I have the definitions out of the way, I'd like to elaborate on Eva's family's power. There must be a purpose for the prevalence of sex in the book. Well, usually men are associated with "sexual power", but In this sense the men lack power in the book. I think it's significant that Sula took Eva's place when Eva became less attractive, and that she comes back a full woman. Her power over the men causes all sorts of gossip and frenzy an otherwise irresponsible and inadequate, "becomes the most devoted mother: sober, clean, and industrious"(114). Another manifestation of Sula's power is the fact that, " she suffered no bruises... had no childhood diseases... and neither gnats nor mosquitoes would settle on her"(115). The purpose for this may be that Morrison is attempting to break the stereotypical sexual power that is usually associated with men, which can be interpreted as an anti-misogynist move. Observing world history, ape and sex are detrimental weapons that men use during wars to wound the psyche of women and men as well, but in this book the men needed ther wives to,"sooth the pride and vanity Sula had bruised"(115).
In this novel Sula possess most of the power. She has a major influence over the towns people just due to her presence in Medallion. The lives of the towns people change for the better because of Sula being a social outcast. Since she sleeps with many different husbands, wives start to cherish their husbands more and watch their children more carefully. “They began to cherish their husbands and wives, protect their children” (Morrison 117). Sula changes the towns folk by being promiscuous and making people appreciate what they have. In this novel the towns people lack power when compared to Sula because this one woman is making a whole town change. The people are not brave enough to make needed changes on their own but rely on the camaraderie of others for the drive to go through with it. The people of the town are not individuals like Sula deciding for themselves but rather one entity motivated with the joint goal of overcoming the evil Sula. To “Triumph over the presence of evil” (Morrison 118). I think that this shows how Morrison uses strong minded independent women as signs of strength and importance for readers.
ReplyDelete-Dante
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to Vicki and Danielle's post, the achievment of power comes to those who have some sort of influence on other people, regardless of what causes that influence. Therefore, those who have the most influence over someone or a group of people possess the most power within the novel. Throughout chapter "1939", readers gain the acknowledgement of Sula and her sexual intentions. Her roaring appetite for sex to complete herself causes wives to praise and honor their husbands more and more in order to let them feel like they are cherished. This is due to the fact that the wives do not want their husbands to be "bruised" (Morrison 115) since Sula was "discarding them (their husbands) without any excuse" (Morrison 115). However, characters' influences do not have to be malicious. Eva, who did not sexual interest in men in her later years, gained power through the means of being a philanthropist. By taking others in and allowing them to live in the house that she created, others gave Eva respect and therefore tended to any of Eva's request (such as the Deweys going to the store for her, etc). Consequently, those who do not have any influence on others are typically those who lack power. Nel, who only served to "complete" Jude with regards to their marriage, became dispensible when Sula's errotic desires intertwined with Jude's need to be complete. Despite all of my claims, the characters only have power over those that they influence. This is due to the fact that the people, who are not influenced by someone, do not care or give respect to them. This can be shown through Hannah and Sula's relationship throughout Sula's life. Once Sula gained the acknowledgement that her mother did not like her, she essentially distanced and seperated herself from her mother. This justifies Sula's response when she found her mother burning in which she just observed with a sense of curiosity.
ReplyDeleteHaley Holmes
ReplyDeleteIn contrast to all that has been said so far, I would like to say that I think Sula is actually losing power. To generalize, I also think the men maintain more power than we are lead to believe. Up until the chapter that we read tonight, it would appear that the women are the dominant power, for all intents and purposes. Eva controls who people are and how they live, as she had the one home where all could gather and she changed people by changing their names. Sula on the other hand controls men with sex. She is extremely promiscuous, though not in the lustful sense. She maintains power by detaching herself from relationships. And this is where my male power argument comes into play. As she begins her stint with "Ajax", she loses her power. She is actually falling into some semblance of love with Ajax and that is diminishing the power she has. She can no longer go about her days and live her life without a care in the world. Now she cleans and preps in expectation of Ajax. This, in effect, is what leads Ajax to leave. His leaving takes a part of Sula with him, which in a sense shows how he maintained a power stronger than hers. So, I am saying that Ajax has the most power so far in the novel. The arguments previously applied to Sula by other posters can be easily applied to Ajax, with the exception of the fact that unlike Sula, he can separate even farther. Sex is sex, and the only love he has is his mother and airplanes. Sula had a love. She loved Ajax. Love diminishes power, just as she had some sort of break when she realized she loved him, but she didn't even know his name.
I didn't read this before I posted, but I was thinking the same thing. Although Sula might have the power, she is somewhat losing it.
DeleteNice, I was doing my blogpost and didn't see this.
-Nemiah
Power is bestowed from Eva to Sula after Eva is sent to the nursery home. I interpret Sula's power as an ability to affect a control a person's personality and entire way of life. Sula does this either subconsciously through the reputation of a liar, man-stealer, and although Sula also has a power over men, the reputation she has built up as a devil and witch through accident has caused the individual's around her to change their way of life. The reputation Sula built is indicated in the change of actions such as "their conviction of Sula's evil changed them in accountable yet mysterious ways. Once the source of their personal misfortune was identified, they had leave to protected and love one another" (Sula 117). This shows that Sula's reputation as an evil force affected the villagers by making them change for the better. Sula's subconsciously affected the villagers not only through rumors but allows change within the villagers lives through this power. In a sense, through Sula's early sexual powers over men along with the signs of dead ravens have created this idiosyncratic power that Sula has over people whether she likes it or not. This power changes the ways the villagers viewed each other and their children by developing stronger bonds as shown by "protected and loved one another". Instances where villager say, "Shadrack bowed his hat to her" (Sula 115) only solidify their view more on how evil and a devil Sula is.
ReplyDelete-Li Zhao
As Dan and Josh said, I believe the power in Sula is possessed by the Peace Women, but in this time frame, Sula. To me the one who has power is the one who has the most influence or the one who initiates change. Therefore, Sula is the one with power since she has influenced the people in Medallion to “cherish their husbands and wives, protect their children, repair their homes and in general band together” (117). Although her actions are considered a disgrace or an abomination, the power that came with those actions, was a positive contribution toward the townsmen. I believe she is able to possess this power because she does whatever she wants which attracts the men, which ties into what Natalie has stated before; that men are needed for women to have superiority. Morrison describes Sula “like any artist with no art form, she became dangerous” (121), dangerous in a sense where she is tired of idleness and wants change, chaos, and out-of-the-ordinary sorts. Her desire for something new, rattled the townspeople, which gave her influence over the town since her actions move the people to do things, “they had leave to protect and love on anther” (117). Sula controls the motion of things in Medallion. Whatever path she pursue or actions she takes will have an influence on the Medallion, and that is why Sula has the power.
ReplyDeleteAdding on the Natalie’s comment in class the other day, how men need to be present in order for women to gain superiority. Sula’s understanding or confidence within her died out which was her fuel for her power. “His (Ajax) absence was everywhere, stinging everything” (134). The absence of Ajax causes Sula to act differently compared to earlier in the chapter. (Not sure where I’m going with this, but I thought it was connected to the “men are needed for women’s superiority to occur” idea.
-Nemiah
As a pariah, Sula has power over the people of Medallion. By "laying with their husbands once, but no more" (115), Sula not only asserts the control she has over men through sex, she also conveys the power she has over the feelings of women in the process. She "bruises" (115) the women's pride, pushing them to "justify their own judgement [and cherish] their men more" (115). In addition, she singlehandedly and inadvertedly built unity among Bottom's people; because of their unanimous hatred toward Sula, they were pushed to "cherish their husbands and wives, protect their children, repair their homes and in general band together against the devil in their midst" (117). Bringing up this point, one would come to the conclusion that Medallion as a people have power, especially in numbers. Most of the reason why Sula is a pariah is because of the word spread among the city. Her character is distorted by word of mouth,she is believed to have "pushed [Teapot]" (114) when she was helping him up from the steps, and called a "devil" (117). Because Sula is an outcast, she has power over Medallion, but because Medallion is united as a people, they have power over the comprehensive perception of every one's character.
ReplyDeleteI SUPER agree with Maya! Though Sula has a strong influence on what the rumors in Medallion, the rumors in effect have grander consequences on Sula's life. Because of her promiscuity, the whole town shuns her and "it was the men who gave her the final label" (112). Her actions lead her down the "route from which there was no way back" (112). She is exiled from the community life because of the decisions she made and she is more like a form of entertainment and a conversation piece than an actual threat. Sula feels powerful because she is able to give men pleasure, but she has no true affect outside of the bedroom. When she is having sex with these men, "particles of strength gathered in her... forming a tight cluster that nothing, it seemed, could break" (123). After the act was done, "the cluster did break, fall apart" (123). She is worth nothing if the men don't see her as a valuable addition to their lives. Ajax is the only person that gives her worth for a little while longer, but he too leaves her. Ajax has a leaves a strong impression on Sula, so much so that she "[looks] around for tangible evidence of his having ever been there" (134). His absence even drives her to realize her faults and compels her to admit that "'It's just as well he left'" (136).
ReplyDeletetrying to come up with euphemisms for sex is awkward.
DeleteThe people of The Bottom, as well as Sula have power, as they work hand in hand. Sula’s influence over the town made its people “cherish their husbands and wives, protect their children, repair their homes and in general band together against the devil in their midst” (117). She was able to unify the town as a whole, purely by making them share a common hatred. Although this demonstrates Sula’s power because of her influence, it would not be possible without the people of The Bottom. It’s the rumors that are spread about Sula that build the common hatred of Sula. Although Sula went to help Teapot get up, his mother blew it all out of proportions and “told everybody that Sula had pushed him…” (114). It’s rumors like this that built up Sula’s infamy amongst the townspeople. Although her means of power comes along with the hatred of her peers, it in turn unified the people of The Bottom as a whole, which would not be possible without the spread of rumors. They both have power, but in a way do not because without each other, they would be powerless. Sula and The Bottom’s power of influence work hand in hand and without each other, The Bottom would be a dis-unified town and Sula would be viewed as a “loose” woman like her mother, instead of the “devil” they claim her to be.
ReplyDeleteTo contrary belief, I agree with Haley’s argument about Sula losing power. Although the citizens on Medallion feel that Sula carries a heavy evil that is in control of any unfortunate events, Sula is subjugated to the power of men and thus holds the least power. I believe that between men and Sula, men dominate her thoughts, actions, and motives. Because Sula went to men for comfort, “she could find what she was looking for: misery and the ability to feel deep sorrow” (122). In this case, Sula relies on men to fill her intentions and goals, which in return relinquishes her power to men since she is dependent on them. For example, when Sula participates in sexual activity, a partner “looked down at her, smiling with tender understanding of the state of tearful gratitude to which he believe he had brought her” (123). This indicates that Sula submits to the presence of men that sleep with her. Another example is her association with Ajax. After becoming more comfortable with him, Sula yearns for his presence because she “actually wondered if Ajax would come by that day” (131). In addition, because of Ajax “Sula began to discover what possession was. Not love, perhaps, but possession or at least the desire for it” (131). Therefore, Sula is put into a weak state of mind with regards to Ajax because without him, she would not reach her intentions. In the end, “it was the men who gave her the final label, who fingerprinted her for all time” (112) rather than the citizens of Medallion.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree with what Haley, Margret, and Maya have said about men in relation to Sula, I maintain that Morrison still highlights women and gives them greater power than men overall. The perfect example of this is how Ajax seems to hold the power in his and Sula's relationship, but how his power derives from a woman. Ajax seems to create "an absence so decorative, so ornate it was difficult for [Sula] to understand how she had ever endured, without falling dead or being consumed, his magnificent presence" (134) but it was his mother who "inspired thoughtfulness and generosity" in him. Morrison balances her description of praise for males, with the roots in a female in order to show how such "manliness" cannot be achieved without a woman's strong influence. Morrison also does this with Jude, the other male character that has a role greater than a nickname. Morrison describes Jude and Nel's relationship when she says "The two of them would make one Jude" (83), expressing that woman are more than a physical pleasure to men and are actually a necessity. Therefore, though men can sometimes appear to have greater power, it is really woman characters who maintain the greatest strength throughout the novel.
ReplyDelete