Search for Identity

Sula in Part I talks about identity and the importance of it. In between the story line, there are parts where the character that is being discussed is complaining or reflecting on a certain identity or lack of identity connected with him or her. For instance, after Nel's long train ride she sat looking at herself in the mirror in the home they came to stay in. As she reminisced on the terrible train ride and the segregation she experienced and the brutatility of her mother's words, she came to the conclusion that she was she and no one could tell her otherwise. Nel, after realizing her identity as her, she prayed to God to make her wonderful. In 1920 women in general had very little advantages than men had, but black women had it even worse. They did not have the opportunity to even be heard or respected. Nel wanted to defeat this, to end this common trend and become someone known. Someone that God could use, "I want... I want to be...wonderful, oh, Jesus, make me wonderful" (pg. 29)