Sula 163-174

This blog assignment is optional. It is NOT in true-false mode.

1. How might the way the book ends affect the book's meaning?

2. Is it possible that Sula is both wicked, or mean, AND liked or even loved by the reader? If so, how?

3. Morrison presents us with various women, none of them perfect. Is it possible to be more whole, more complete, as a woman? On the evidence of this book, does the author think it is possible to be more whole, more complete, as a woman?

Sula 147-162

Don't forget the quoted passage.

1. T or F Shadrack is becoming more sane.

2. T or F Sula's attitude toward Nel, expressed in her thoughts after Nel leaves her, are typical of Sula.

3. T or F There are some sad and evocative images concerning poverty in this reading.

4. T or F His memory of Sula helped Shadrack become more sane.

Sula 131-146

As before: find a quotation that supports you position, true or false, and briefly explain. Do only one of the questions.

T or F:

1. The Ajax-Sula lover-relationship helps her grow and develop as a person.

OR

2. Ajax and Sula are similar in some ways.

OR

3. In the conversation with Sula, Nel shows herself to be her mother's daughter (i.e. she acts as her mother Helene might have).

OR

4. In the conversation with Nel, Sula's remarks are connected to the passage on p. 12o about the spider web, the snake, and the free fall.

Sula 112-131

Once again, we're looking for a quotation that supports or refutes one of the statements below, plus a brief explanation of your reasoning. The quotation is important.

1. T or F: This reading contains at least one explanation of why Sula can do such terrible things.

OR

2. T or F: Sula and Ajax's mother have something in common.

OR

3. T or F: Ajax is presented as an attractive person in this reading.

OR

4. T or F: Despite her doing evil things, Sula's coming to the Bottom is atually helpful to people there.

Sula 79-85, 89-94

DON'T FORGET: quote a passage, however brief, that supports your opinion.

Re 79-85:

T or F: This section of the book includes an indirect (or possibly direct) critique of an aspect of racism.

OR

T or F: Jude and Nel are thinking clearly when they decide to marry each other.

Re 89-94:

T or F: The argument between Nel and Eva is more Eva's fault than Sula's.

OR

T or F: there are indications in the text that the author/narrator sides with Eva when she says that what Sula needs is to have babies.

Sula 67-78

Kentucky Wonder beans

1. T or F: The basic problem the people have in this book is poverty.

OR

2. T or F: There is some evidence so far that this is a feminist book.

OR

3. On p. 66, women at Chicken's funeral feel that "the only way to avoid the hand of God is to get in it."

T or F: pp. 67-78 seem to represent an argument that this statement ("the only way to avoid the hand of God is to get in it") is true.

T or F: The reader forgives Nel and Sula for their handling of the Chicken incident.
OR
T or F: Overall, Ajax is presented as a positive character (p. 50)
OR
T or F: the depiction of the whites (63-64) is, overall, positive.
OR
T or F: the part in which Sula and Nel lie down in the shade, but before Chicken arrives, has some symbolic or matephorical possibilities.

Sula 30-48

I'm having trouble finding an image to go with this weekend's reading. Any suggestions?

Do just one:
T or F: Hannah Peace and Helene Wright are opposites of each other.
OR
T or F: as terrible as Eva's killing of her own son is, it does not mean that Eva is a monster.
OR
T or F: the author's attitude towards Eva's killing of her son seems to be about what it is toward most everything else.
OR
T or F: Eva's killing of her son is of a piece with her other ways.

True or False: Helene Wright is a sympathetic character in this reading assignment (that is, the reader finds herself rooting for Helene).

OR

T or F: Helene's mother, Rochelle, is a sympathetic character.

OR

In the scene on the train, the novel makes a nuanced (specific, fine-grained) statement about racism.

Same directions as yesterday.