Rethinking the Representation of Black Women in Toni Morrison’s Novel Sula

Fouzia Bahri,

Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Letters and Languages, Kasdi Merbah University -Ouargla, Algeria

This study aims to analyze Toni Morrison’s Sula using a feminist stylistic approach, which in this case focuses more on applying different perspectives to gender-specific women and men. The data in this study are words, phrases and discourses that indicate gender-specificity and are selected from Toni Morrison’s novel Sula. The application of the feminist stylistic theory proposed by Sarah Mills in this study shows female characters are described as being so different from men. While men are described based on their physical strength, attitudes, personalities, and their dominance over women. Moreover, we highlight the stereotypical vision that we have about black women and how their lives are confined by tradition and the community where they live. This study encourages readers to reconsider Toni Morisson's portrayal of black women in Sula.

Keywords:  Stylistics, Feminism, Stereotype, Tradition, Community

The above abstract is a part of the article which was accepted at The Eighth International Conference on Languages, Linguistics, Translation and Literature (WWW.LLLD.IR), 14-15 February 2023, Ahwaz.