When comparing Sula, by Toni Morrison, and The Color Purple, by Alice Walker, it's very easy to find similarities between the two. The female authors establish a story focused around a black woman looking for herself through the course of many years. Discussing issues applying to a woman’s place and the struggles of a black person, both Morrison and Walker create an interesting narrative to address these concerns and many others. However, while the themes are similar, the plotlines and characters are vastly different, and, at first, it seems difficult to find any complex parallels between two characters. But with a closer look, many of the characters present similar traits that play a role in the main characters development and life. For example, take Shug Avery from The Color Purple, a well known singer, and Hannah Peace from Sula, the mother of Sula.
Both women were constantly searching for the affection of others, and weren't able to be loyal to a single partner. While Shug maintained relationships over the years, she loved to show herself off and didn't stick to a single person. Hannah, on the other hand, was loyal to her husband until death. Afterwards, she slept with many men, many of whom were married. Both women were not satisfied with the love of one man- they were constantly searching for better and focused on their own needs.
While their behavior was similar, the way they were perceived wasn't exactly the same. Hannah's tended to go for one night stands, and while she was nice and sweet, she was only looking to have sex and not to form any long lasting relationship. For this reason, she didn't mind hooking up with married men and often tended not to keep female friends. Had they not been hurt by her already, they saw her as different and thus, as an outsider. The men, on the other hand, saw her as “unquestionably a kind and generous woman” (Morrison 47) and were willing to defend her against the women’s rumors. However, Shug was idolized by all of her lovers, and although she continually hurt them, they still loved her and strived for her love through the years. Even as Shug was leaving Celie for a younger man, Celie admitted to still loving her, and even began to wonder what she did wrong, despite Shug admitting that it was her fault for being so needy. Her first known long term lover, Albert, still idolized her as she left him for the second time for Celie, saying “Shug got talent… She can sing, she got spunk… She can talk to anybody. Shug got looks… She can stand up and be noticed” (Walker 212). Meanwhile, those not sleeping with Shug did not look down to her. They still considered her a good friend and famous woman. Her reputation was not tarnished despite her taboo behavior.
Both women has very open minded ideas about sex- it was for pleasure, and they didn't buy into the “sex is a spiritual thing done between two married and in love individuals” idea. Their casual attitude about sex affected the main characters in each novel in subtle but powerful ways. In Sula, the impression on Sula of her mother's love life was stated outright- “Seeing her step so easily into the pantry and emerge looking precisely as she did when she entered, only happier, taught Sula that sex was pleasant and frequent, but otherwise unremarkable” (Morrison 46). Through life, this idea of sex carries with her and as an adult, she is as relaxed with sex as her mother, leading to her ruined reputation and downfall. In The Color Purple, Shug teaches Celie the idea that sex can be pleasurable, instead of just a tedious task that must be done with her husband. In doing so, she finds more pleasure and happiness in life, as this little thing opens up the door to many possibilities involving her treatment and such. While this doesn't immediately solve all her problems, it allows her to be more intimate and free in her life.
In the end, while Shug and Hannah are not exactly alike, they do share controversial characteristics that play a role in the main character's life. Although they both hold similar views on sex and love, they execute these ideas different and are viewed differently by their peers and lovers. While Hannah is seen differently between people, Shug is almost idolized among everyone. While Shug was willing to stay with lovers for an extended period of time, Hannah usually didn't keep a relationship with anyone. But both girls played an important part in the plotline, to the main character, and the themes in each novel.
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