Sula

by

Toni Morrison

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Rochelle Character Analysis

Helene’s mother and Cecile’s daughter. Rochelle is described as a “Creole whore” who works in a brothel called the “Sundown House.” Rochelle, who’s 48 when she meets her granddaughter, Nel Wright, seems to have no concern or affection for her daughter, and only briefly appears at Cecile’s house after her death.
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Rochelle Character Timeline in Sula

The timeline below shows where the character Rochelle appears in Sula. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
1920
Women, Motherhood, and Gender Roles Theme Icon
...The woman and Helene coldly stare at each other, and Helene says that this is Rochelle, her own mother—Nel’s grandmother. Nel is confused (she thought Cecile was her grandmother), but Helene... (full context)
Suffering and Community Identity Theme Icon
Women, Motherhood, and Gender Roles Theme Icon
Signs, Names, and Interpretation Theme Icon
Rochelle asks Helene if Nel is her only child, and compliments her for being pretty like... (full context)