Terrell Johnson

Toni Morrison

Dr. Carter

2-12-20

Sula Opening

    After reading the Forward in Toni Morrison's book Sula, it brings up an interesting conversation from a literary structure concept. Morrison wondered if it would have been more beneficial to start her story with her main focus of Sula or this other side character in the story. Some authors choose to write in an order that is not sequential or chronological order;deciding to tell their story in an odd order relying on flashbacks and flash forwards. In the end, Morrison decides to open her story describing the life of a WWII soldier and his trauma. What would be the reason to do such a thing and how would it benefit?

    One way this would be beneficial to her plot would be if the theme of the story matches the opening scene. It would make sense if Sula's story included trauma similar to the trauma of the soldier(Shadrack). Maybe Morrison then would show the array of different version of trauma in a physical, mental, and emotion prospective. The story would then come full circle in the end linking everything. Shadrack's mental health could mirror Sula's or other characters in the story.

    Another way this writing structure would help Morrison's story would be if Shadrack's trauma directly effects the plot. Maybe Shadrack's character is what influences the setting and society that the main character must live or suffer through. Maybe Sula's story literally and figuratively begins with Shadrack. To tell her story, it may be possible that Shadrack is needed and otherwise the plot would sees to exist. Shadrack's trauma could be the very reason for this story.

   Toni Morrison could have very well used a more sequential outline for her story to go but decided to subvert that expectation. This could be her way to express her form of art in a way not done before. She also could have done it for the sake of the theme to link back to the beginning of her story. I agree with this choice and style of writing. It allows one to question and theorize more about the structure of literature and if it should be a necessity to be followed one hundred percent of the time. There should be no structure to art.