An unforgettable scene from Sula -- ep. by Cindy Reed

A short take on a memorable scene from Toni Morrison's Sula.
Written by Cindy Reed.
Read by Kassandra Timm

Transcript

There are many memorable scenes in African American literature, and of course, one of the most unforgettable has to be the one in a novel where a little girl cuts off the tip of her own finger to scare away menacing white boys.

 You’re listening to Remarkable Receptions — a podcast about popular and critical responses to African American novels and more. 

 Toni Morrison’s 1973 novel Sula is set in the small, segregated town of Medallion, Ohio, following World War I. The coming-of-age book pulls readers into the world of two young black girls and best friends—Sula and Nel, who Morrison develops to explore ideas of good versus evil and to ask what happens when people push the limits of what they think is right and wrong.  

 And, yes, the novel contains one of the most memorable scenes you’ll ever encounter.

 As 12-year-old Sula and Nel walk home from school, their hope falls short of dodging antagonizing white boys, who routinely bully and forcefully shove the pair around. Sula eventually has enough and teaches the boys a lesson. She pulls out a paring knife and slashes off a piece of her own fingertip.

 She looks at the bullies and calmly asks, “If I can do that to myself, what you suppose I’ll do to you?”

 Imagine that: a little black girl cutting off a piece of her own finger to demonstrate what she’ll do to white aggressors.  

 The boys knew what Sula’s personal violence meant for them; they fled immediately. While her scare tactic is self-harm, it is also an act of self-defense and a powerplay showing the boys who’s really in control. Self-help through self-harm; what a contradiction! 

 Morrison goes there in her writing—to the unthinkable. Morrison’s provocative, compelling depictions of extreme human behavior create unforgettable scenes in her novels. 

 Sula offers just that. It is no wonder that Morrison’s tale of a young girl, a paring knife, and a sliced fingertip still leaves a lasting impression on readers, making for one remarkable reception. 

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This episode was written by Cindy Reed. The episode was edited by Elizabeth Cali and Howard Rambsy.

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This podcast, Remarkable Receptions, is part of the Black Literature Network, a joint project from African American literary studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the History of Black Writing at the University of Kansas. The project was made possible by the generous support of the Mellon Foundation.  For more information, visit blacklitnetwork.org.