Sula's Inner FireSula by Toni Morrison is a captivating novel about a unique and self-confident woman. Like many other books, each supporting character in the story serves as a vehicle to explain the main character. Hannah, Sula's mother, is dominated by the air element; she is free-spirited, frivolous and childish. On the other hand, the fire element is predominant in Sula, who is impulsive, angry and passionate. Despite the differences between the two, Hannah's lifestyle intrigues and influences her daughter. Hannah's effect on Sula is reflected in many of her daughter's perspectives and actions. Due to the ever-present presence of fire within her, unlike her mother's cheerful spirit, Sula takes all of Hannah's immorality and actions to a more extreme level. Both women have promiscuous tendencies, do not have close friendships with women, and become easily irritated by Eva. The difference is that Sula's fiery character causes her to act more cruelly than her mother. Hannah's attitude towards men is particular, as she does not feel any possessiveness towards them and likes to have several lovers. The presence of air in Hannah is evident in her relationships with the opposite sex. "Her flirting was low and naive...the smiling eyes, the turn of the head, all so welcoming, light and playful." (42). Hannah's sweet and naive flirting presents her as an innocent woman, and her playful mannerisms demonstrate her childish ways. Her friendliness and charisma are evident because "...Hannah rubbed no edges, made no demands, made the man feel complete and wonderful just as he was... he (the man) faded into Hannah’s light simply because he was.” (43). Hannah is middle of paper... doesn't feel obligated to please anyone unless their pleasure pleases her. " (118). Sula is stronger than Hannah and makes no attempt to reconcile society's views towards herself. She follows her animal instincts and lacks a sense of responsibility. Although both Sula and Hannah are rejected by society, Sula is even more of an outcast than her mother While the inhabitants of the Bottom consider Hannah a "sooty person" (29), they decide that Sula is the devil. The intense hostility people feel towards Sula is directly related to her impulsive, vengeful, and angry character. Sula's life is a fun mirror image of Hannah's - quite similar, but bent into a slightly different, mischievously tinged shape. Works cited: Morrison, Toni New York: Knopf., 1974.