Research Paper on:
Abandonment Theme in Sula by Toni Morrison

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
one, either through their physical departure or through death. In this complex, psychological narrative, Morrison uses abandonment in several ways. First of all, abandonment aids Morrison in the process of  characterization because it creates a crisis situation that tests the fortitude and self-image of the individuals involved. In this regard, Morrisons overarching message in this novel appears to be that  morality, defining people and their actions as "good" or "bad," is relative and intrinsically connected to how they react to loss. Secondly, the pervasiveness of this theme serves to underscore  the deep need in everyone for meaningful human relationships, no matter how hard they are to achieve. Looking even briefly at some of the characters demonstrates the pervasiveness of  the abandonment theme. For Sulas family, abandonment becomes a defining characteristic beginning with her grandmother, Eva Peace, who is abandoned by her husband, BoyBoy, when her children are extremely young.  Hannah, Evas daughter and Sulas mother, is left alone to raise her daughter because of the death of her husband when Sula is quite young. While technically, Hannahs husband  did not abandon her, the effect of his death is identical to the loss of abandonment; emotionally it feels the same. Nel and Sula met as children and are  extremely close friends. Nel is abandoned by her husband, Jude, when she catches him making love to Sula. This is a double loss for Nel as this betrayal robs her  of both her husband and her best friend. Sula is left by the love her life, Ajax, and, also, she feels abandoned by Nel as Sula does not perceive that  she is the cause of Nels pain. As this demonstrates, abandonment is one of the main features of the narrative. A closer examination of the novel is illuminating