The Analysis Of Female Images In Toni Morrison's Sula

It was the first time that the Nobel Prize in literature was given to anAfrican-American woman writer in 1993 —Toni Morrison. She is the only blackwoman winner in Nobel history so far. Her award became the mark of Afro-American literature in the literary world. By her unique angle of view, vigorous imagination and poetic language, Morrison gives vivid descriptions of black Americans, especially the humiliated and depressed mood of the double-oppressed black female, the awakening of their self-consciousness and the exploration of the value about individual independent existence. Her works display the true life of blacks from different angles, how blacks survive the conflicts between the black and white, as well as the state of their mind and spirit. She demonstrates the blacks' traditions, at the same time, seeks after the ego and soul of blacks. To seek for self and to grasp fate are the major motif of her novels.The thesis tries to decode the daring and thirst for equality of black new women by analyzing the historical background, theme and female characters. This thesis begins with a brief discussion of the feminist movement and shows some new features of black feminism.Part two analyzes the characteristics of the black community, in which women are in the lowest position. Helene is a typical figure of black racism. Such kind of phenomenon results from racial discrimination. Being lost among the different values will lead to isolation, even bewilderment in one's own identity and the truth of life. The somewhat independent Peace mothers are tolerated by the patriarchal system. Sula's grandmother (Eva), originated from the black big mother, has her own house and a chance to show her creativity. She is filled with contradictions. She is an independent feminist character, defies authority, challenges fate, and is able to make her own decisions. Hannah (Sula's mother) is after sexual pleasure. She is an unconventional woman in the eyes of the community, but she was still tolerated.Part three expounds Sula's experiences of seeking for self and limitations in her personality. Sula and Nel are friends at first, but part in end for Nel decided to follow a conventional woman's life pattern. Sula inherits her arrogance, indulgence and independence. She fights against authority and being dominated, so her searching for self becomes bolder and more active. Her experimental life has exerted impact on the community. The reason of her death and her isolation is that she failed to connect with others, especially other black women born to double oppression.Sula has remarkable fancy and creativity, but she finds the best way to express her capacity. Sula is a genuine great rebel and her existence in Bottom just proved the logic of dialectical unity. The death of Sula just like her controversial life, is experimental. Nel's final epiphany hits the point, i.e. sisterhood is the most important. Sula, with its poetic language, profound symbolism and non-linear style of narration, has a strong appeal to readers and makes them think profoundly.