Sula Essay

By: Vincent Her

In the novel Sula, Toni Morrison demonstrates what Helene and Eva, two mothers in the novel, are willing to go through for their children. Some of the things include pushing her body to the limit, putting herself in danger, and self mutilation. A common theme shared between these topics is self sacrifice. Self sacrifice is seen when Helene puts all of her effort into making her daughters wedding perfect. Her only childs wedding-the culmination of all she had been, thought or done in this worldhad dragged her energy and stamina even she did not know she possessed. Her house had to be thoroughly cleaned, chickens had to be plucked, cakes and pies made, and for weeks she, her friends and her daughter had been sewing (79-80). Morrison portrays that even though her body is pushed to its limits, Helenes love for her daughter allows her to put all the energy she had into preparing for Nels wedding. An example of Eva putting herself in danger is shown when Hannah was outside, and her dress caught on fire. She rolled up to the window and it was then she [Eva] saw Hannah burning. The flames from the yard fire were licking the blue cotton dress using her stump as support on the window sill, her good leg as a lever, she threw herself out of the window (77). Morrison demonstrates that Eva was willing to sacrifice her own body by jumping out of the window to try to save her daughter. She doesnt think about getting hurt; all that was important was getting to Hannah. Eva was rumored to have cut off her own leg by getting it run over by a train to collect insurance money. Somebody said Eva stuck it under a train and made them pay off (31). She used the money to feed and support her family. Morrison shows readers what Eva is willing to do to support her children.

In conclusion, the novel Sula includes the topic motherly love, which shows Helene and Eva, who are willing to push their bodies to the limit, put themselves in danger, and cut off their limb to help their children. A mothers love for her children knows no limits. In the novel, Morrison shows us all what a mother is willing to do for her child no matter what the task and no matter what the consequence.