Defying Conventions: Autonomy, Morality, and Existentialism in Toni Morrisons Sula
Authors-Mrs. K.Mubasheera, Dr. N. Vijayakumari
Keyword-Black female identity, autonomy, gender norms, existentialism, moral ambiguity, female friendship, societal ostracization
Abstract-Toni Morrisons Sula (1973) is a radical exploration of Black female identity, autonomy, and moral ambiguity within a racially segregated society. By centering on the character of Sula Peace, a woman who defies conventional expectations of marriage, motherhood, and communal belonging, Morrison challenges traditional representations of Black womanhood. Unlike the self-sacrificing maternal figures often found in literature, Sula asserts her independence, embracing an existence free from social constraints. Her rejection of prescribed roles leads to her vilification within her community, reflecting how Black women who defy respectability politics are ostracized. This paper examines Morrisons critique of gender norms, morality, and societal expectations through Sulas character, analysing how the novel deconstructs the binaries of good and evil, stability and chaos, conformity and rebellion. Additionally, it explores the complex female friendship between Sula and Nel, highlighting how patriarchal forces condition women to prioritize male relationships over sisterhood. Morrisons existentialist undertones are also discussed, particularly Sulas rejection of redemption, her embrace of personal freedom, and her defiance in the face of death. By integrating Black feminist thought, existentialist philosophy, and psychoanalytic theory, this study argues that Sula is not merely a novel about rebellion but a profound meditation on self-definition and the price of autonomy. Morrisons portrayal of a woman who refuses to conform, even at the cost of social exile, ultimately forces readers to question whether true liberation can exist within a society that demands obedience.