is the basic conflict between their two views of evil: Nel thinks that Sula's independence is evil, while Sula doesn't think that she hurt anybody except for Nel, and only because she was reacting from society's viewpoint, without understanding Sula's. To end their conversation, Sula asks an important question, "About who was good. How do you know it was you?... I mean maybe it wasn't you, maybe it was me" (146). This states the concept of evil as something relative and subjective, while their eventual reconciliation shows the issue of friendship.Sula's question raises the important issue like, whose definition of evil is right? In provoking this debate, I believe the author wants the reader to reach the conclusion that nobody's definition is really correct and that the concept of evil is relative and subjective. For example, while Sula is considered as an evil force by society, her own conception of evil prevents her from being seen as evil. So evil cannot be a concept agreed upon by everyone, because Nel and Sula each disagree on its meaning. The fact that two people disagree on the same topic shows how subjective and personal a definition of evil is. For both characters, it is based on their own experiences. Sula could even be viewed as good instead of evil, because it is her actions that make the people of the Bottom "protect and love one another. They began to...in general band together against the devil in their midst" (117-118). Toni Morrison is proving that evil is a concept that is different for everyone, and that no one person has a right over its definition. But besides all the talk about the differences between good and evil, there is a stronger force at work in the novel.For Nel and Sula, and all their trials together, they last because of their deep friendship. The concept of evil is raised in their friendship. Despite their different views on what evil is, Sula and Nel reconcile in the end, as Nel realizes tha...
