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Nel and Sula as a Dual Self In her novel, Sula, Toni Morrison uses the archetype of the dual self through the friendship of Sula and Nel: the two characters are a part of each other. A pattern occurs in the novel because Sula and Nel are co-dependent. Nel and Sula were so close that they often knew what the other was thinking. For example, one day they were out playing in the grass and they dug holes about the same exact size, and not once did they look up at each other: “Sula lifted her head and joined Nel in the grass play. In concert, without ever meeting each other’s eyes, they stroke the blades up and down” (pg.58). They were also so alike and often had the same thoughts that it was hard to distinguish who was who in a conversation. “Well, if you change your mind call me.” “Somebody need killin’?” “Half this town need it.” “And the other half?” “A drawn-out disease.” (pg.96) Even Nel confesses that, “Talking with Sula had always been a conversation with herself."(pg.95) One of the advantages of friendship is being able to know what your friend is thinking without even asking. Each possesses qualities that the other lacked. They complete each other. Each girl was an only child and