HAYWIRE Issue 2 Fall 2013
as a predator catches its prey
though the symbolic statement,
“their eyes so intent on the
wayward stranger who trips in to
their net, they were blind to the
cobalt on their own back” (120).
Morrison utilizes this
symbolic language to paint Sula
and Nel as widowmakers or
femme fatales. Given that both
are blind to the cobalt on their
backs symbolizes Nel’s ignorance
of Sula’s affair. Their licentious
behavior is further characterized
by the sentence, “if they were
touched by the snake’s breath,
however fatal, they were merely
victims and knew how to behave
in that role” (120).
The snake’s breath
symbolizes any hardships that the
two friends may go through and
Sula, whenever in distress, was
able to behave as the victim in
order to come out on top, a trait
typical of any promiscuous
person. Toni Morrison uses this
short passage to show that Nel
realizes she must either end her
relationship with Sula, or adapt
and evolve to survive in her
brutally disheartening
environment.
Sula and Nel’s friendship is
the main focus of Sula’s narrative.
Sula’s behavior serves as a
forerunner to her ultimate affair
with Ju