Nel and Sula

In relation to my previous post, the introduction of Sula to the story is another event that sets Nel apart from her mother. Nel had never played with Sula because Helene "said that Sula's mother was sooty," yet after their trip to New Orleans, Nel gathers the courage to strike up a friendship with the other girl (29). Sooty means blackened or covered in soot, which I doubt is the literal meaning of the word in Helene's context, but it is possible that she is referring to the color of Sula's mothers skin. She may be calling her sooty as in very black, which in Helene's opinion may mean less like white people or uncivilized. Either way, Helene see's Sula's house as inferior. Yet Nel greatly prefers the "wooly house" where many people came by and Sula's mother was never oppressive or scolding like Nel's mother. Sula and her family represent a freedom for Nel, a break from her own home and family. Once Nel and Sula become friends, little mention is made of Nel's home. The story is then focused on Sula's home and her friendship with Nel. Nel and Sula remain closest friends even after the accidental murder of Chicken Little. Sula was the one who let him go, but anyways Nel feels guilty. They become like one person. Nel becomes a part of this person and leaves her oppressive mother behind.