Sula And Nel Analysis

While Sula and Nel are not biological sisters, they still represent many of the same ideas of support and union. They are so lonely and disconnected from their families that they find comfort in one another: “Their meeting was fortunate, for it let them use each other to grow on … they found in each other’s eyes the intimacy they were looking for” (Sula 52). The two of them are frequently considered to be two halves of a whole. In her paper “(E)Merging Identities: The Dynamics of Female Friendship in Contemporary Fiction by Women,” Elizabeth Abel describes how they balance each other out: “The girls quickly share their strengths and equalize their friendship; Sula encourages Nel's independence and Nel enables Sula to experience consistency” (Abel). The intense relationship that they develop is beyond a simple friendship— they become “social sisters” who rely on one another.

The first instance of this occurs as they are walking home from school in an alleyway. When a group of boys corners them, Sula does not hesitate. She takes out a knife and slices off part of her finger to intimidate them into leaving: “If I can do that to myself, what do you suppose I’ll do to you?” (Sula 55). She does not flinch, and instead does what is necessary in order to keep Nel safe. In the same way, Nel comforts Sula after she accidentally causes Chicken’s death. While swinging him around, Sula lets go of his hand and causes him to fall into the water. While Sula is distraught, Nel comforts her: “Nel quieted her. ‘Sh, sh. Don’t, don’t. You didn’t mean it. It ain’t your fault’” (Sula 62-63). She tries to keep Sula calm after such a profoundly traumatic event. After Chicken’s funeral, they leave holding hands, accentuating the strength of their