80 pages • 2 hours read
Sula
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Book Club Questions
General Impressions
Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of racism, gender discrimination, and sexual content.
1. Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
2. Trace the evolution of Sula and Nel’s relationship over time. Did you find their relationship relatable or surprising? What was your reaction to the revelations at the end?
3. Discuss your experience with Morrison’s use of dialect in the book. How did this add to the story and your experience reading it?
4. Was this your first time reading Toni Morrison? If not, how does reading this book compare to your experience reading her other works—e.g., Beloved or The Bluest Eye?
Personal Reflection and Connection
Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.
1. Like Nel and Sula, have you ever had a friendship grow apart because you and the other person took different paths? How did the friendship ending affect you?
2. Which character do you relate to more: Sula in her chosen life of independence and nonconformity or Nel in her embrace of societal expectations?
3. Reflect on the novel’s questioning of rigid binaries, such as labeling things “bad” or “good.” Have you ever been in a situation where a person’s actions were deemed “bad,” yet you saw the situation differently? How did this change your conception of morality?
4. Consider Morrison’s examination of mother-daughter relationships. How (if at all) did the story make you think differently about your relationship with your mother? Why do you think so many people find this relationship complicated?
Societal and Cultural Context
Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.
1. Analyze Morrison’s portrayal of the Bottom as a critique of the social and racial hierarchies of early 20th-century America. How is the Bottom a metaphor for the systemic oppression of Black communities?
2. Discuss the novel’s exploration of the role gender and race play in women's lives, particularly via its depiction of female friendships and sexual freedom.
3. Explore how the novel exposes the generational impact of trauma, migration, and economic marginalization on Black identity and community solidarity. In what ways do you see these trends playing out today?
Literary Analysis
Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.
1. Analyze how the chronological narrative structure, shifts in narrative point-of-view, and other stylistic choices affect the reader’s understanding of the characters and their relationships.
2. Explore Morrison’s use of fire and water as transformation, destruction, and rebirth symbols.
3. Trace how Sula’s birthmark changes throughout the story depending on who looks at it. What does the birthmark symbolize for Sula and her community?
4. How is Sula in conversation with other books examining the Black female experience, such as Their Eyes Were Watching God and The Women of Brewster Place?
5. Discuss the symbolism of names in the story, such as “Hannah,” “Shadrack,” and “Ajax.”
Creative Engagement
Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.
1. Who should play Nel and Sula if Sula were adapted for the screen? What would be some challenges in bringing this story to life off the page?
2. If Sula had a theme song to represent her character, what would it be and why?
3. Need more inspiration for your next meeting? Browse all of our Book Club Resources.
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