Medallion: A Character Study

Essay # 2993

Ethnic Studies > Modern
Literature > American

978 words () | 1 source | 2001 United States

Paper Summary:

An analytical paper which discusses how Toni Morrison creates a detailed character with the city of Medallion, and its significance throughout "Sula". The author's thesis statement: "When examining Sula's Ohio town of Medallion, it can be concluded that the town does, indeed, act as a character in the story, acting as both protagonist and antagonist as Nel and Sula evolve."

From the Paper:

" In any given piece of literature, there are characters that drive the story. These characters, these people, each have distinct personalities and each lend their own charisma to the piece. They interact with one another, and can have great effect on each others' lives throughout the plot. They also have their own internal struggles and their own histories. The action of the characters is the lifeblood of any play, novel, or short story. Yet the setting can also be extremely significant, leading us to the question, what defines a character? Can a place, an entity other than an individual person, act as a character in a story? When examining Sula's Ohio town of Medallion, it can be concluded that the town does, indeed, act as a character in the story, acting as both protagonist and antagonist as Nel and Sula evolve."