Sula Lesson Plan

What do you make of Eva’s explanation of her parenting to Hannah? How might Eva’s parenting ways be related to her socioeconomic status? Compare Eva’s words to her actions later in this section.

Eva tells Hannah that there was no time for love while she was trying to ensure her children’s survival—making sure they had money, were not sick, and could continue to live. At the same time, she asks why her providing for her children and staying alive for them doesn’t automatically count as love. With no social and economic support, some might say Eva did all she could for her children given her lack of resources. Though Eva claims she never loved her children, she almost...