English 11 Honors: Sula Questions/ Discussion Topics

  1. The significance of having The Bottom be on top? Why is it mentioned this way?
  2. Shadrack’s war experience and the reason for his subsequent establishment of National Suicide Day. Meaning of National Suicide Day?
  3. Why does Nel’s mother hate her nose so much and why does she want to change her daughter?
  4. Pg. 83-84 “[Nel’s] parents had succeeded in rubbing down to a dull glow any sparkle or sputter she had. Only with Sula did that quality have free reign.”
  5. Train experience on way to New Orleans and how Nel returns “different”
  6. Plum’s constipation as a baby and Eva’s actions.
  7. Symbolic significance of Eva killing plum? (pg 46-48) Significance of death through fire?
  8. Why was Hannah a “daylight lover,” unwilling to make a commitment? What is her attitude toward sex?
  9. Meaning of Sula’s birthmark? Pg. 52 and later on
  10. Hannah saying she loves Sula but doesn’t like her. Effect of this?
  11. Incident on page 58 where Sula and Nel dig a large hole in the ground and then they put stuff in it – referenced later on page 146.
  12. Significance of Chicken Little incident? Girls’ reaction to event. Shadrack’s cryptic comment “always” (pg. 62-63 and then pg. 157).
  13. Hannah asking Eva if she loved them and Eva’s response pg. 67-69
  14. Eva’s explanation of her killing Plum
  15. Sula not going to her mother’s aid while she was burning to death?
  16. The nature of Nel’s relationship with Jude? Is it healthy? How is it different than her relationship with Sula?
  17. What is significant about the fact that the men of Medallion are rejected from the job of building the road?
  18. What is significance of birds when Sula returns to Medallion?
  19. Sula’s reunion with Eva/ Sula’s reunion with Nel.
  20. Sula’s version of “hell” vs. Nel’s page 107-108
  21. What does the “grey ball” Nel experiences mean page 109
  22. What is love to Sula? Friendship? How does she explain the reason why she sleeps with so many men? How do we interpret her lovemaking scene with Ajax? 121-131ish
  23. What is significance of Sula’s deathbed scene? What is the significance of the passage from pg. 145-46 when Sula describes the conditions under which she, too, will be loved?
  24. What is the imagery associated with her death on page 149?
  25. What is the result of Sula’s death?
  26. Why do people of Medallion try to destroy the tunnel? What is the result and what does this image suggest?
  27. In talking to Eva, what does Nel realize about her reaction to Chicken’s death?
  28. What is significant about the name Peace?
  29. Why is the hymn “Shall we Gather at the River” significant?
  30. What truth about herself and Sula finally comes to Nel?