Like gender, race informs much of Sula, and we're reminded that institutional and personal racism in America determines much about a person's opportunities and access to basic needs. Many of the characters who face racism and discrimination are understandably angry. But we see that race also binds communities together and creates a shared sense of identity, culture, and tradition.
Questions About Race
- Are racial concerns somehow linked to concerns about gender in the novel?
- What does it mean that Tar Baby is one of the few whites to interact with the black residents of the Bottom?
- Is racism ultimately what leads to the death of so many of the townspeople at the end of the novel?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
We cannot separate race from gender in Sula; they influence each other in profound ways.
The characters in Sula are more defined by their race than by their gender.