Sula

I think that Nel is slightly ashamed of her mother. I guess not ashamed, but she is not extremely proud of her. And just like Sula doesnt want to be like her mother, Nel picks up on that and carries the same idea. She also does not want to be like her mother, she wants to be herself and herself only. I think that she likes her mother and respects her, but she does not idolize her, or want to be just like her when she grows up like most little kids think about their mom when they are growing up.But, more than anything I think that Nel is trying to metaphorically find herself and identify the person she wants to be.