A Tentative Study Of Black Women's Psychology In Sula

Toni Morrison is the most famous black woman writer in the world. Her maiden work The Bluest Eyes (1970) has established her new identity. Since the publication of Sula(1973), Morrison has received attention of many critics and readers. With unique perspectives and perfect narrative skills, she becomes more and more popular in American Black Literature. Fortunately she received the Nobel Prize in 1993. Although Sula is not her best work, yet it is one of her successful novels. The novel Sula won the National Book Critics Award. Morrison probes into the true life of black women and exhibits psychological state of several black women with perfect narrative skills.The thesis from two aspects of both poverty and racial discrimination tentatively analyze the psychology developed process of several black women in Sula. It probes into the true life conditions and let readers acknowledge that black women's psychology develop from confusion to wake up. Detailed explanation of why and how black women's psychology develops under the environment of poverty and racial discrimination has been narrated in this paper.In general, this paper concludes three important sections, as introduction, main chapters, and conclusion. Introduction not only depicts a simple analysis of Toni Morrison and her novel Sula, but also concludes the review and comment on this novel come from both domestic and overseas literature areas. Besides, it exposed the feasibility and meaning of this academic paper.Three main chapters study the novel from three points of view:The first chapter narrates the Afro-American women's twisted psychology influenced by poverty. Underneath the economic poverty in Bottom, terrible mental state as well as unforgettable trauma finally happens on black women. With the economic poverty and ignorance, black mothers bestowed the greatest sacrificial spirit struggle for life. Seeking economic independence and personal value seem to be their final aim.The second chapter explains why and how racial discrimination takes dreadful psychology changes of black women, who suffer from physic insult of the whites and desperation of abnormal maternal ways as well as children's unsatisfactory attitude toward life. Obviously, black women'depression and trouble with unforgettable trauma do affect their whole lives.The third chapter shows the mental develop process of the woman figures from destructive confusion state to wise choice. Because of double oppression of poverty and racial discrimination, black women with family trauma, identity trauma and even sexual trauma create their unexcited equal world. With the emotional trauma of males'powerless state and misunderstanding of children, black women ever were desperate and troubled. But fortunately, although the being of unspeakable traumas, most black women with strong and optimistic spirits still live in the white mainstream society. Negative accepting of white culture and wise choices of economic freedom and sexual independence as well as being true self give rise to the bright and hopeful future of the whole black women in America.The conclusion part narrates black women'great spirit of pursuing identity freedom. It states the aim of Morrison's novel and the profound meaning of black women's struggle in strange society. It is known that these Afro-American women are successful at last, and they receive the happiness of both sacrifice and confidence spirit in the life. In one word, this novel shows a clear picture of optimistic attitude toward life and self-seeking in a way.