Fire is an important symbol in Sula. In arguably the two most important scenes in the story, Hannah Peace and Plum Peace are both killed in a fire. In the case of Plum's death, fire does not simply end life, it purifies the soul. Eva deliberately sets Plum on fire to put an end to her son's torment over his chronic drug addiction. In doing so, she feels that she is somehow purifying a soul corrupted by sin.

Likewise, the death of Hannah can also be interpreted in much the same way. Like her brother Plum, Hannah has led a life marred by sin; in her case, it is sexual promiscuity rather than drugs...

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