Abandonment in "Sula"


page 108
[Sula] said doing anything forever and ever was hell. Nel didn't understand it then, but now in the bathroom, trying to feel, she thought . . . "Sula was wrong. Hell ain't things lasting forever. Hell is change." Not only did men leave and children grow up and die, but even that misery didn't last. One day she wouldn't even have that. This very grief that had twisted her into a curve on the floor and flayed her would be gone. She would lose that too.
Questions:
1) In this excerpt Nel is experiencing the grief she feels after Jude left her. Why do you think Sula did this to her best friend? Is there anything in the novel that supports Sula's actions?

Comments:
This pain is so real it is almost tangible. This is another good part to look up and re-read.

[Next] View the next Abandonment quote.
Return to Sula Topics page.
Return to the Toni Morrison Homepage.