Sula: character analysis part 1 -Nel

This brief passage reveals a lot about Nel, her past, her present, and her future. As Nel is looking in the mirror, the reader gets a sense that she is face to face with a stranger, someone who has no idea which direction she is heading, who she is, or what she wants to be. Nel finds power and comfort in the words "I'm me." Slowly the stranger she is face to face with becomes more familiar. As she begins to see her self for who 'she' is, not who her mother is, who her grandmother is, or her family is, Nel realizes that the possibilities in her life are endless. She is her own person and as she falls asleep she concludes her night thinking about what who it is, exactly, that she wants to be regardless of her race and family background. From this the reader can conclude that Nel is a strong character who will, without a doubt be faced with difficult challenges, but will do her best to succeed and accomplish her goals.