Jake Harper
In the novel Sula by Toni Morrison, the scene with Chicken Little is a pivotal moment in the narrative and marks the loss of childhood innocence for the two young protagonists, Sula and Nel. Chicken Little, a neighbourhood boy, joins Sula and Nel as they play by the river. Nel teases Chicken Little, but Sula defends him and offers to teach him to climb a tree. While playing, Chicken Little falls from Sula's hands and drowns in the river. The incident has a profound impact on Sula and Nel, marking their transition into womanhood and exposing them to the complexities of adulthood, mortality, and racial injustice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken Little's death | Accident |
| Who caused the death? | Sula |
| Who witnessed the death? | Nel |
| Who witnessed the death apart from Nel? | Shadrack |
| Who found Chicken Little's body? | A bargeman |
| Who identified Chicken Little's body? | His mother |
| Who attended Chicken Little's funeral? | Sula, Nel, Reverend Deal, the congregation |
| Who didn't speak at the funeral? | Sula, Nel |
| Who cried at the funeral? | Sula |
| Who felt guilty at the funeral? | Nel |
| What did Nel feel during Chicken Little's drowning? | Strange joy |
| What did Nel and Sula lose after the incident? | Childhood innocence |
| What does the name Chicken Little suggest? | A bad omen |
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What You'll Learn
The scene marks Sula and Nel's loss of childhood innocence
The scene in which Chicken Little accidentally slips from Sula's hands and drowns in the river marks a pivotal moment in the novel, signalling the loss of childhood innocence for both Sula and Nel.
Prior to this incident, Sula and Nel are depicted as typical young girls, behaving whimsically and exploring their burgeoning sexuality in a playful, curious manner. They are soul mates, complementary in their differences and understanding each other instantly and intimately. Their encounter with Chicken Little, however, introduces them to the complexities of adulthood and the harsh realities of the world they inhabit.
The accidental nature of Chicken Little's death underscores the fragile nature of innocence. In an instant, Sula and Nel are confronted with the fragility of life and the permanence of death. They are no longer shielded by a childish sense of immortality, and this realisation leaves an indelible mark on their psyches. The incident also exposes them to the complexities of morality, as they grapple with their complicity in Chicken Little's death and the subsequent silence they pledge.
The scene also serves as a catalyst for Sula and Nel's entrance into womanhood. Their encounter with Shadrack, the mentally unstable war veteran, is unnerving and frightening. Shadrack's cryptic utterance of "always" haunts Sula, foreshadowing the enduring impact of this day. The experience strips away their innocence, ushering them into a world where love and emotions are complicated and fraught.
Furthermore, the reaction of the white world to Chicken Little's death underscores the racism inherent in their society. The callousness displayed by the white officials, who consider the death of a Black child as a mere nuisance, is reprehensible. This realisation isolates Sula and Nel, forcing them to confront the obstacles they will face as they navigate adulthood in a racist society.
In conclusion, the scene with Chicken Little serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative, marking Sula and Nel's loss of childhood innocence. It introduces them to the fragility of life, the complexities of morality, and the harsh realities of racism and adulthood. The impact of this incident reverberates throughout the novel, shaping their characters and their journeys towards womanhood.
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It symbolises their entry into womanhood
The scene with Chicken Little in Toni Morrison's novel *Sula* symbolises the entry of Sula and Nel into womanhood in several ways. Firstly, the incident marks the loss of their childhood innocence and a transition into adulthood. Chicken Little's accidental death and the subsequent trauma and guilt experienced by Sula and Nel highlight their newfound vulnerability and mortality. They are no longer protected by a sense of youthful invincibility and immortality.
Secondly, the scene underscores the complexities of the adult world that Sula and Nel are entering. The callous reaction of the white officials to Chicken Little's death underscores the racism and indifference they will face as they navigate adulthood. Additionally, the incident brings about a shift in their relationship, introducing an element of secrecy and shared trauma that creates an unforgettable bond between them.
Furthermore, the scene preceding Chicken Little's death, in which the girls engage in a sexually charged game, symbolises their burgeoning sexuality and curiosity about the opposite sex. Their exploration of their emerging adolescent desires hints at their impending entry into womanhood and the complexities that come with it.
Finally, the encounter with Shadrack, a mentally unstable war veteran, further underscores the girls' transition into a more complex world. Shadrack's cryptic behaviour and the suggestion that he may have sexually frustrated intentions towards Sula introduce a darker aspect of adulthood that the girls must now confront.
Thus, the scene with Chicken Little serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative, marking Sula and Nel's symbolic entry into womanhood and their confrontation with the complexities and losses that accompany this transition.
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The death of Chicken Little exposes the girls' true characters
The death of Chicken Little in Toni Morrison's novel "Sula" is a pivotal moment that exposes the true characters of the two young girls, Sula and Nel, and their complex moralities. The incident marks a loss of childhood innocence and a transition into womanhood, revealing their contrasting reactions, emotions, and guilt.
Sula and Nel, both twelve years old, are playing by the river when they are joined by Chicken Little, a five-year-old boy. Nel begins to tease him, but Sula defends him and offers to teach him to climb a tree. In a playful moment, Sula swings Chicken Little around by his hands, but he accidentally slips from her grip and falls into the river, drowning.
The girls' reactions to the accident are telling. Sula is distraught and panicked, running to Shadrack's shack for help. Her distress and tears at Chicken Little's funeral indicate her emotional response to the tragedy. On the other hand, Nel remains calm and collected immediately after the incident, suggesting a lack of socially approved reaction. She feels a strange sense of guilt and is burdened by it at the funeral, indicating her strict upbringing and internalized sense of authority.
The incident also reveals the complexities of their characters and their existence in a moral grey area. While Sula attempts to protect Chicken Little from Nel's teasing, Nel feels a strange joy in watching the drowning, only recognizing her complicity in the tragedy much later. The death of Chicken Little creates uncertainty about the girls' true natures, showcasing their innocence and youthful feelings of invincibility slipping away.
The death of Chicken Little has a profound influence on Sula and Nel, marking a turning point in their lives. It is a tragic start to their womanhood, and they instinctively know that this event will control the rest of their lives, driving them closer together as they navigate the complexities of adulthood and the world around them.
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![Chicken Little [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51c-TtWPMVL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
It creates a lasting, unforgettable bond between Sula and Nel
The scene with Chicken Little in Toni Morrison's novel *Sula* is significant in creating a lasting and unforgettable bond between Sula and Nel. This bond is formed through shared trauma and a loss of innocence as they experience the accidental death of Chicken Little, a neighbourhood boy.
The incident occurs when Sula and Nel are playing by the river and are joined by Chicken Little. Nel teases him, but Sula defends him and offers to teach him to climb a tree. After climbing, Sula playfully swings Chicken Little around by his hands, but he slips from her grip and falls into the river, drowning. The girls are shocked and frightened as Chicken Little does not resurface. They do not tell anyone about the accident, fearing blame, and this shared secret creates a strong and lasting connection between them.
The death of Chicken Little has a profound impact on both Sula and Nel, marking their transition from childhood innocence to adulthood. They realise how fragile life is and are forced to confront their mortality and the complexities of the adult world, including issues of race and the callousness of the white authorities towards the death of a Black child. This shared experience of trauma and loss brings Sula and Nel closer together, as they navigate their guilt, grief, and the uncertainty about their true characters.
The funeral of Chicken Little further solidifies the bond between Sula and Nel. They attend the funeral together, sitting in silence and holding hands tightly. Despite their different reactions to the death, with Sula crying and Nel feeling a sense of guilt, they find comfort and support in each other. The shared experience of the funeral, amidst the emotional congregation, unifies them in their shared pain and loss, creating an unforgettable bond that will last into eternity.
The incident with Chicken Little is a pivotal moment in the novel, marking the end of Sula and Nel's childhood innocence and the beginning of a new phase in their relationship. It is a traumatic event that brings them closer together, forging a lasting and unforgettable bond that will impact their lives forever.
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The scene highlights racial inequality in Medallion
The scene with Chicken Little in Toni Morrison's novel Sula highlights racial inequality in Medallion. Chicken Little, a young Black boy, accidentally drowns in the river while playing with Sula and Nel, two twelve-year-old girls. The white officials and authorities show a clear disregard for the life of a Black child, considering the matter of returning his body to the family as an annoyance. One official even suggests that the bargeman who found Chicken Little's body throw it back into the water. This reaction is in stark contrast to the emotional funeral held by the Black community, where Reverend Deal, the head of the church, delivers a sermon on the innocence of children.
The callous response from the white world is indicative of the racial inequality and injustice prevalent in Medallion at the time. Chicken Little's death and the subsequent reactions from the white authorities highlight the dehumanization and lack of value placed on the lives of Black individuals within the community. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the racial disparities and the differing attitudes towards life and death based on race.
Furthermore, the novel also portrays the leering and objectifying gazes of both young and old Black men towards Sula and Nel as they navigate their budding sexuality. The girls' encounters with these men contribute to their understanding of the complex world they are growing into as young Black women. The scene with Chicken Little, therefore, becomes a pivotal moment in the novel, not only signifying the loss of childhood innocence for Sula and Nel but also exposing the harsh realities of racial inequality and the differing values placed on Black lives in Medallion.
Morrison's portrayal of the incident and its aftermath underscores the racial tensions and injustices that exist within the community. The contrast between the emotional response from the Black community and the indifference shown by the white authorities underscores the racial divide and the differing values placed on human life based on skin colour. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the pervasive racial inequality that shapes the experiences and perceptions of Sula, Nel, and the community at large.
The scene with Chicken Little in Sula thus serves as a powerful commentary on racial inequality in Medallion, highlighting the dehumanization of Black lives and the differing values and responses to tragedy based on race. Morrison's portrayal of this incident underscores the complexities of growing up in a racially divided community and the harsh realities that Sula and Nel must navigate as they transition into womanhood.
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Frequently asked questions
The scene with Chicken Little in Sula marks the loss of childhood innocence for both Sula and Nel, as they transition into womanhood. It also exposes the characters' moral ambiguity and the complicated world of adulthood.
In the scene, Chicken Little joins Sula and Nel, who are playing by the river. Nel teases him, but Sula defends him and offers to teach him to climb a tree. After climbing the tree, Sula playfully swings Chicken Little around by his hands, but he slips from her grip and falls into the river, drowning.
The incident with Chicken Little creates a bond between Sula and Nel that lasts for eternity. It is a shared trauma that isolates them and makes them need each other more than ever, as they navigate the complexities of adulthood and their own moral ambiguity.
