Abstract: As one of the most representative figures of African American literature, Toni Morrison’s works deal with race, gender, politics and many other issues. Sula is her second novel. In the novel, Toni Morrison describes several black women with distinct personality. From the perspective of feminism, through the analysis of three black women’s experiences in the novel, this thesis aims to reveal that it’s hard for black women to pursue the self under the double oppression of gender and race. The novel shows Morrison’s thinking and exploration of black women’s life.

Key words: Sula; feminism; black women; the pursuit of self

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction....1

  1.1 A brief Introduction to Sula

  1.2. Literature Review

2. Black Women’s Pursuit of the Self....2

  2.1 Eva---- Passively Searching for the Self

2.1.1 Eva’s Submission 

2.1.2 Struggling for Survival and Dignity   

  2.2 Sula----Rebelliously Searching for the Self

    2.2.1 An Alien in the Black Community

    2.2.2 Fearless Challenge to the Patriarchal Domination

  2.3. Nel--- Rationally Searching for the Self

    2.3.1 Nel’s Loss of Self in Marriage

    2.3.2 Nel’s Awakening after Sula’s Death

3. Conclusion.9

Bibliography.10

Acknowledgements..11