How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Year.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The trip, perhaps, or her new found me-ness, gave her the strength to cultivate a friend in spite of her mother (1920.74).
It is interesting that Nel's friendship with Sula is born out of a rebellion against Helene. This reminds us that Nel doesn't always do what's expected of her.
Quote #2
Which was only fitting, for it was in dreams that the two girls had first met (1922.6).
Sula and Nel are destined for each other. Their shared loneliness and dreams of companionship help them find each other.
Quote #3
So when they met, first in those chocolate halls and next through the ropes of the swing, they felt the ease and comfort of old friends (1922.8).
Although the girls come from different backgrounds, the fact that they both lack something from their mothers creates a common bond. They feel easy with each other because they know what the other is going through, and they represent for each other the only source of true friendship and understanding. No other character fulfills this need for Sula or Nel.
Quote #4
Their friendship was as intense as it was sudden. They found relief in each other's personality (1922.10).
The girls see in each other what they don't think they have in themselves. Perhaps there is a way that they complete each other.
Quote #5
Sula lifted her head and joined Nel in the grass play. In concert, without ever meeting each other's eyes, they stroked the blades up and down, up and down (1922.40).
Sula and Nel have become one mind. Their connection is far deeper than just being girlhood friends.
Quote #6
Sula was no less excited about the wedding (1927.12).
This shows Sula's complete lack of competition with Nel. She's excited to be part of Nel's wedding to Jude, and she in no way begrudges her friend the happiness she seems to have on this day.
Quote #7
Although it was she alone who saw this magic, she did not wonder at it. She knew it was all due to Sula's return to the Bottom. It was like getting the use of an eye back, having a cataract removed (1937.55).
Sula is so important to Nel that she is practically a part of her body. When Sula leaves, it's as if she takes a piece of Nel away with her, and her return to the Bottom signifies Nel's return to completeness.
Quote #8
Here she was in the midst of it, hating it, scared of it, and again she thought of Sula as though they were still friends and talked things over (1937.189).
Although Nel might not realize it, we can see that what upsets her most about the affair between Sula and Jude is that she no longer has Sula to depend on.
Quote #9
"I was good to you, Sula, why don't that matter?" (1940.70).
Nel simply cannot comprehend how Sula could betray her after she has been devoted to her for so long. She believes that being "good" to Sula should have ensured that Sula would keep her hands off Jude. But Sula constantly questions what being good means and who is actually good. It seems that Sula feels that being good means recognizing and appreciating the inner "glory" we see in the epigraph, not just doing what everyone expects of her. And since she doesn't see her affair as a betrayal, the question of being good or not doesn't appear to be particularly relevant to her in this situation.
Quote #10
Sula felt her face smiling. "Well, I'll be damned," she thought, "it didn't even hurt. Wait'll I tell Nel" (1940.94).
Despite all they've been through, and despite the fact that Nel has left Sula's bedside with no intention of seeing her again, Sula's last thought is of her friend. She remains devoted to her until her last breath.