a critical analysis of the significance of scapegoating in Sula toni morrison

Sula’s death leaves the neighbors without a scapegoat or an example against which they can govern their actions. Sula, as the social pariah of the Bottom, long symbolized everyone’s conception of evil and badness. Her death leaves people without a person against whom they can measure themselves. Consequently, the people in the Bottom begin behaving hostilely towards one another and no longer carry out familial or relational duties with as much care or devotion.