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Thomas Monfre

Mrs. Heusterberg-Richards
IB English HL II
25 October 2016
Shaping Sulas Character in Her Relationship to Eva: An Annotated Bibliography
Sokoloff, Janice M. Intimations of Matriarchal Age: Notes on the Mythical Eva in Toni Morrison's Sula. Journal
of Black Studies 16.4 Jun. 1986: 429-434. J STOR. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.
In Janice Sokoloffs article for the Journal of Black Studies Intimations of Matriarchal Age: Notes on the
Mythical Eva in Toni Morrisons Sula, she discusses how the actions of Eva, a grandmother and protector,
shapes Sulas character. Sokoloff begins her flow of reasoning by assessing the relationship between an elder
such as Eva and a protagonist such as Sula in literature. She cites Morrison herself in a claim regarding this
form of relationship as she states, when you kill the ancestor, you kill yourself. In this regard, Sokoloff is able
to draw a connection between Sulas placement of Eva in a nursing home and Sulas imminent death. She
writes that once Sula takes away the life of Eva by banishing her to a life of solitude in Beechnut Hill that she
does not desire, Sula dies in accordance with Morrisons statement. Similarly, Sokoloff draws connections
between Nel, Helene, Eva, and Sula. She writes that Helenes relationship to her grandmother draws strikingly
similar characteristics to Evas relationship with Sula. The difference in character of Helene and her
grandmother lead to Helene raising Nel in a sheltered atmosphere, which juxtaposes Sulas character and
upbringing from Eva as it is unstructured and informal. Following this, an assessment of Nels role in shaping
Sula comes forth, as Sokoloff unravels the friendship of Nel and Sula throughout the novel. Aside from this,
Sokoloff also discusses Evas role in both Plum and Hannahs deaths as well as the changing relationship
between Eva and Sula as the plot progresses and Sula departs from and comes back to the Bottom. Ultimately
Sokoloff asserts that the matriarchal community that is established between Eva and Sula becomes the driving
force that allows Sulas character to develop in the novel.
After reading Janice Sokoloffs article, I find that the overarching claim she makes in this article holds true to
the values

and themes of Sula I recognized when reading the novel. Sokoloffs assessment of the relationship
between Eva and Sula in regards to the statement regarding relationships between an elder figure and a
protagonist in literature is seen in the plot and development of Morrisons novel. I believe that Sulas character
was largely developed by her childhood under Eva and the environment she grew up in. In this way, Sokoloffs
claim that the matriarchal community that is established not only in Sulas life but in much of the novel as a
whole makes sense. Sokollofs article as a source maintains its validity and reliability throughout. It is
presented as a scholarly article printed in an academic journal and therefore is a credible source. As with any
source, it does hold bias and therefore is not completely objective, however.
I find Sokoloffs article to be particularly helpful in understanding the messages of Morrisons novel. The way
with which Sokoloff lays out her claims and defends them is both logical and linear. Her article has a top-down
structure to it that makes it enjoyable for me to read. I feel that Sokoloff perfectly balances between academic
and non-academic language. Ultimately I feel it is an article that largely
helps my understanding of Sula. It is
academic, credible, and readable.

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