Beloved

Toni Morrison’s “Beloved” resembles other expressive forms used by other authors. Although James Weldon Johnson’s “Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man” is a narrative, “Beloved,” which is also fiction, evokes the same emotions in response to experiences that particular characters had. Morrison also includes a vast amount of references to the dehumanization of slaves, which is also evident in Frederick Douglass’ autobiography. Although it’s fiction, “Beloved” explores more extreme and detailed accounts of dehumanization. This use of dehumanization is something fresh because it’s more apparent on the surface, but also invokes a deeper meaning. For example, one character, Paul D, was subjected to wear a horse bit in his mouth, and the main character, Sethe, was violated through having her milk stolen, which was supposed to be for her baby. As a novel, this book is one of kind and stands on its own as an abstract interpretation of a case involving a runaway slave that killed her newborn baby, Margaret Garner.

There are multiple parts of the book that occur in two contrasting time periods. One part of the book focuses on events that occurred approximately twenty years ago, which depict the characters experience on plantation. As a result, the reader encounters the present time that has been shaped by events in the past. There are four main characters Sethe, Denver, Beloved, and Paul D. Sethe is the vocal point in terms of characters because others lives are reflections of her choices. For instance, Beloved situation could be described as a result of her actions, whereas her actions have shaped her daughter Denver’s life since she was a child. Sethe is reserved and remorseful, Morrison tries to describe the guilt she lives with everyday because of her decision to murder her baby. In contrast, Beloved is believed to be the spirit of the daughter she killed so long ago. Beloved is manipulative and controlling, which is reflected in her controlling Sethe’s and Denver’s emotions to reflect what she wants to happen. Like Sethe, Denver is reserved and is unable to get over leaving her house because she is fearful of others criticism of her mother’s situation. Lastly, the reader encounters Paul D, who is emotionless because of the pain he suffers from the latches of slavery. The book makes reference to his “tin can heart,” which he believes can be remedied by his one and only love Sethe.

Structurally, this book uses the literary technique called “stream of consciousness,” which strings together different time periods and experiences with multiple characters. Although sometimes it can be incoherent, Morrison’s use of this literary technique was fantastic because it keeps the reader on their toes, questioning the plot and characters at multiple junctures. Overall, the sentences flow and are somewhere in between and the vocabulary is for the most part, understandable to the average reader. Overall, the tone of “Beloved” is set by Sethe and her decision of to kill her daughter, which results in a mournful and grief-stricken mood. One major theme of the book illustrates the dehumanization that results from being subjected to slavery. In addition, the reader is asked to answer whether or not Sethe’s decision to kill her daughter is justified and although it is answered in the end, one still ponders whether it was right or wrong. In reflection, I find the ending satisfying, 124 seems to become less controlled by a no longer existent ghost and Sethe receives the love she deserves. Having the chance to ask Toni Morrison a question, I would ask her how she cohesively brought together so many fascinating stories to ignite such a powerful novel. This novel definitely deserves a place on the course syllabus because it explores and depicts multiple themes that are present in most of the reading we have encountered so far.