04971. THE ROLE OF BLACK WOMEN IN SULA. The social roles of Sula and Nel in Toni Morrison's novel about small-town life in Ohio are analyzed. Nel is seen as a mother and protector of children, and Sula as the free and easy adventurer who takes life as it comes. Their sisterhood is deemed the product of a common oppression and a shared affection which is maintained in spite of their great differences. 10p., Of., Ob.