Saturday, June 16, 2007
First Beloved Post
For organizational purposes, please post your first Beloved comment here. I will post a list with your name and the number of posts you have submitted so you don't have to worry about keeping track. For this post, you may choose to comment on symbolism, irony, dehumanization, or simply share your thoughts, questions, and insights as you read. If you want to test out some ideas for your essay, you could discuss the topic you've selected as well. Reminder: 3 weeks left to make your 5 blog posts and read the novel. Complete 1-2 posts this week to stay on track. Taskmaster signing out. (Oops- didn't mean to sound like Ryan Seacrest.)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
277 comments:
1 – 200 of 277 Newer› Newest»Brett Billmaier - I feel bad for Sethe and all that physical/emotional pain she was subject too. I know she tries so hard to forget the past and all the stuff that happened to her, but I don't think I would be able to do that. I also think it's sad that Sethe dosen't pray anymore; she just seems to have lost her faith, but who would after all that she has been through.
Brett Billmaier - It must be tough for Denver to have grown up without a father in her life. So far it seems like she is handling it fairly well. Sethe on the other hand dosen't seem to be handling it as well as Denver is. That must have been horrible for Sethe to have become separated from her husband during their escape. I hope that by the end of the book Denver and Sethe are reunited with Halle.
I think that the "baby ghost" in the house is a symbol of Sethe's rage at herself. Sethe murdered her baby girl for no reason and now grieves for making such a rash decision. The "baby ghost" seems to mostly appear when Sethe is thinking about her past, which leads me to believe it is linked to her pain and emotions.
I think it is ironic that Sethe ends up with Paul D. When Sethe first arrived at Sweet Home she took a year to pick a husband. She picked Halle over Paul D. Halle never escapes and Paul D. does and returns to Sethe when Halle never does. But then all Paul D. and Sethe do is talk about Halle. Then instead of waiting like a good wife Sethe then just decides to sleep with Paul D.
I think I have figured out the symbolism about the address 124. The address represents Sethe's children. The numbers 1 and 2 stand for Bugler and Howard. The 4 stands for Denver. Now the real symbolism is that there is no 3 as in the progression 1234. The address is simply 124. The 3 would represent Beloved as the third child, but because her life was cut out of the the family, there is no 3 in the address.
Yessss! Excellent insights and interpretations so far...Kristin and Ashly nailed the symbolism of 124, and Bill makes some thought-provoking statements and connections to the novel. What do you think? Is Sethe a sympathetic character? Why do you think she does what she does? Who or what do you think is "to blame" in the tragedy, or is it impossible to point the finger? *For other symbolism sleuths, how does color function in the novel? Choose one color in the novel and explore what it represents. Again, you may respond to any of your peers' ideas, the prompts, or raise your own issues, questions, etc.
I think Sethe had to make some very difficult choices which led to rash decisions, like murdering her baby. But, I also think there is reason behind her decision. Which would she rather have, a baby that died free or a baby growing up and living with slavery and rape like she did? I feel like as the novel goes on Sethe is becoming more open about her past and not so much blaming herself for the baby's death because she now has Beloved and seeing her and Denver together gives her hope for a new family again.
"He hoped she stuck to blue, yellow, maybe green, and never fixed on red"
I think the color red represents pain and strong emotions that characters have. Paul D uses the color Red to describe his heart after his rusty, tin box is opened up. Later in the novel, Stamp Paid finds a Red ribbon tied around a lock of curly hair that has been torn out of a girls head. Also, Red is the color of blood and that reminds Sethe of the murder of her daughter. I think the Red things chracters have are hidden insdie them, but as you read deeper in the novel you find those things become more open and not so painful. Sethe for example is forgetting about the blood she spilled and starting to hope and have faith in her family.
I think the two orange squares in the quilt symbolize life and hope. Sethe first notices the patches after Paul D arrives, and Sethe begins to think of forming plans and looking ahead to the future. Sethe thinks the patches look wild compared to the other dull, stable colors because up to this point she has been obsessed with the past and has not thought about a possible hopeful future. Also, Beloved notices the orange patches three days after she arrives, just as she becomes more responsive and friendly to Denver, who recognizes Beloved's captivation with the color. The orange symbolizes a hopeful new life for Denver as Denver feels a new sense of purpose and fulfillment through caring for and befriending Beloved.
I think that the "baby ghost" symbolizes mistakes that we as humans make and how our conscience reminds us of them. It is unfortunate how the baby died. I believe it is/will be, a useful tool to the novel's plot. I like how Morrison writes in the same "talk" that was used back then. It helps me better understand the storyline.
Sethes characteristics to me include: bull headed, strong willed, stubborn, and determined. I thought it was kinda of comforting when Paul D came to live with Sethe and Denver because now Sethe has someone to rely on. Yet Denver doesnt want him there, he is a good father figure for her. Which is ironic because Halle was Denver's real father and Sethe picked him over Paul D. back at sweet home. I didnt realize the symbolism in 124 until i read the other commets. I also think that trees symbolize comfort and/or the past: Sethe's tree shaped scars on her back, and Denvers comfort place in the bushes, and the fact that Sethe escaped through the woods, and Sixo meeting his girlfriend in the woods also has symbolic meaning.
Stamp Paid's envisionment of the "jungle" in every African American is really effective, and I think it represents the blacks' anguish and fury their oppressors cause them to have. Stamp recognizes the jungle gets "tangled," or the blacks grow frustrated, when whites don't recognize that they are people too. Stamp refers to the rare times this anguish is visible when one can hear "mumbling in places like 124." I think that although Stamp drives Paul D away, he realizes inside that Sethe's murder of her baby was an open act of pure anguish at the whites and that Sethe had what she believed was a justifiable reason for her actions. Through his jungle analogy and his concern about 124, Stamp reveals himself as an understanding person who seems to feel guilty about driving Paul D away.
I bet Sethe was pretty suprised when she ran away from Sweet Home all those years ago and came across a white person (Amy Denver) that was actually willing to help and be nice to her. I also, thought that it was nice of Sethe to allow Beloved to come into her home and stay with them, even though she is a complete stranger to her. I think Beloved is like a baby in some ways because she always likes to sleep and has trouble walking. Although, I don't know how she picked up that rocking chair with one arm.
I think it's terrible that the blacks had to wear bits in their mouth like animals such as horses. That must have been very humiliating for them, not to mention uncomfortable. Paul D describes the piece of iron that held his tongue down and that his need to spit became so bad sometimes that he would cry. That's awful. I aslo tought it was sad when Paul D tells of how the rooster named Mister walked around with more freedom than he had and that the rooster was better, stronger, and tougher than he was aswell.
As of now trees seems to play a big role in the symbolism of this novel. I believe the chokecherry tree on Sethe's back represnts all the pain and tourture she went through as a slave. Even Sethe tries very hard to forget about her past, that imprint on her back is always there to remind her about the tragic things she went through. Hopefully later in the novel, the chokecherry imprint will help her become a stronger person, because it will always remind her of what she overcame.
Aaron Hall- The situation with Paul D and Sethe is strange. I think that Denver is rightfully angry at her mother and Paul D. If I had the same circumstances I would feel as though Paul D was invading my space. After her being fatherless all her life, it is understandable that she does not recognize the potential benefits that a father could bring to her life. I also think that nature plays a big role in the novel because there are so many referances and comparisons to it.
Denver's character stands out to me. First she is shy and sensitive and spends most of her time in her "emerald closet." She has a fear of the outside world beyond 124. Then she becomes lonely because Paul D scares away the ghost. She does not have a very good sense of self, and seems to need someone around her. For example, when Sethe spends more time with Paul D, she feels threatened and angry. But when Beloved comes around she feels uplifted. It's just odd to me that one day her, Sethe, and Paul D were having a good time at the carnival, Denver actually enjoying herself. Then the next day Beloved comes and she becomes distant with Sethe and is always around Beloved.
I feel really bad for Sethe. Since the beginning of the book, times have been very hard for her. I think that the chokecherry tree on her back represents all the hard times she has been through. Her being separeated from her husband. But there is also Denver, who has no father figure in her life. But then Paul D. shows up, and Denver doesn't want him there. He scares away the "baby ghost" which now leaves Sethe more relaxed and Denver more lonely.
Amy Denver is a symbol of hope that is available to Sethe. Sethe though will only accept hope when it is the only thing that will keep her or her child alive. She has the opportunity for more help from Amy Denver but refuses it. Also, Amy Denver's name relates to her as a symbol of hope. Denver is a city a mile in the sky far above Sethe's place on Earth. Denver represents Heaven as a place above your current status.
Thought-provoking insights by all- thanks for sharing! Here's the tally so far:
Brett B.: 4
Ashly L.: 3
Chelsea G.: 2
Michelle P.: 2
Aaron H.: 2
Erica P.: 1
Alyssa S.: 1
Kristin R.: 1
Julia W.: 1
Daniel G.: 1
Add 1 more to Kristin R. for a total of 2.
Beloved is a strange character in the novel by the fact that she has no true origin, other than walking out of the water. Beloved is the appropriate age to be Sethe's murdered daughter if she had not been killed. This mysterious appearance provokes the question, who is Beloved? I believe Beloved is a physical representation of Sethe's past coming back to haunt her; of what could have been if Sethe did not kill her own child.
I feel bad for Denver since she is such a lonely person. She has no friends and hardly anyone comes to the house at 124 to visit since it is haunted by "baby ghost". Her only comfort seems to from "baby ghost", but then Paul D. shows up and chases the ghost away. It also must have been extremely hard for her to grow up without a father, and then to have her brothers leave too.
The colors seems to symbolize many things in this novel. When Sethe meets Amy Denver, Amy tells Sethe how she is going to Boston to buy "carmine" or red velvet. In this particular point of the story, red seems to symbolize inspiration and almost hope for Amy Denver in her future.
In Beloved, colors such as red symbolize the emotions Sethe feels. Most of the colors in her house are dull, depressing colors such as blue, grey, and brown which represent the grief and loneliness she feels from having only one child left. However, despite the lack of bright colors in her home, she does not miss them as much as Baby Suggs. This is because bright colors such as red and pink remind her of the blood and tombstone of her dead baby and as a result, she associates red with death and sadness.
As you find out in the novel, a girl by the name of Beloved comes to their home of 124. It seems as though the girl form of Beloved sybolizes the baby Beloved (that Sethe lost years ago). They say her skin is perfect, almost as a baby, and Beloved seems as though she needs to be cared for, just as a baby would. Also, Denver seems to take great interest in this new girl Beloved. Perhaps her care for the girl is a sign of sisterly love?
I think that it's horrible how the prisoners were treated in the prison in Alfred, Georgia. It's no suprise that all the prisoners were black. That's terrible how they were all subject to such horrible physical and sexual abuse. They had to sleep in small box things in the ground. I do think it's great that they all eventually escaped the horrible prison. I think that Paul D needs to confront those memories that he has locked up inside that tobacco tin in his chest. Keeping all those horrible memories locked up inside you isn't good for your health and they will contiune to haunt him forever if he dosen't do something about it. I think
Paul D needs to forget about his terrible past and move on and create a better life for himself without the constant burden of the tobacco tin with all those awful memories of his past locked up inside him.
I feel pity toward Sethe. She did what she believed was best for her child when she killed Beloved, and has to suffer the consequences of her actions. She is an outcast, and has no friends. After Baby Suggs dies, she is alone, except for Denver. Her husband doesn't come, and then Paul D. leaves when he finds out what she did. Her boys leave because they are afraid of her. She has had a hard life, and deserves some happiness.
I think that trees represent comfort and courage in the novel. Paul D. follows the flowering trees to escape north. Sethe's memories of the plantation are changed by the trees. She remembers the good things about the trees, but not the fact that people where hung and killed from the trees. The chokecherry tree on Sethe's back is a symbol of comfort and courage also because instead of pain and torture, the image of a tree gives a more positive connotation to the scars on her back. Trees grow strong and tall, so Sethe finds the strength to go on, even after being tortured.
I think Denver liked the thought of the "baby ghost" and all the mysteries that went along with it. I think she still wonders what really happened to the baby and why her mom won't reveal any secrets of the past. I think she was upset when Paul D. rid the ghost. Denver is waiting for clues of the past which her mother strives so hard to keep it from her. Her mother should not hold it inside of her though because the longer she holds it inside the longer she blames herself for her past and what really happens to her baby.
When I first began reading Beloved, Denver stuck out to me as a very interesting character. Her life starts out at a VERY rough point in her mother's life. Then as she is growing up in the house with her mother Sethe, she must learn to deal with the strange ghost living with them. Denver becomes obsessed with the ghost and is really upset when she leaves. I just thought it odd for a girl at such a young age to not be scared by a ghost. Then when a girl named Beloved shows up, Denver instantly connects with her and always wants to be around her. It seems as if Denver really craves attention and companionship.
Beloved is another character that is very interesting. When she arrives at 124 she has all brand new clothing on and seems fine. Where did she get all of the new things? Also, she seems very quiet, but she dances around Denver's room and always walks Sethe home from work. It was also strange when Denver, Sethe, and Beloved were back in Baby Suggs' place in the woods and Beloved causes Sethe to almost die. I cannot wait to find out what other strange occurences happen between Beloved and the other characters!
i think that the "baby ghost" in the house is a symbol of Sethe's baby that she murdered. I think that Sethe had a good reason for killing her baby rather than having it grow up in slavery and never being free. but i think now that she regrets it or has a negative feeling for acting so rash without thinking. The baby ghost represents seth's past which brings up pain and an emotional time for her.
I think that trees play a big part in the novel because they symbolize safety and freedom. For each character trees offer some form of comfort and relief. Paul D found his way north to freedom by following the flowering trees, and Denver has her "emerald closet" that allows her to get away from 124 and feel safe. The "chokecherry tree" on Sethe's back symbolizes her new life away from Sweet Home- even though it was caused by pain and sufering, it represents a new beginning for her.
In the novel of Beloved freedom and love are inescapably linked. Sethe who loves her children immensely sacrifices her own freedom to look after her young. In the respect of love and freedom Paul D is the exact opposite of Sethe. He does not have anyone he has loved deeply and has great personal freedom because of it. Paul D can move at will and only worry about keeping himself alive. In Beloved the more you love people the less freedom you have and the less you are attached to people the greater your freedom.
I feel that the two orange squares are an example of symbolism. Sethe stated that she was oblivious to colors sice her baby was bron and right after her baby died. She stated that she had just not really noticed and acknowledged the colors even though she was looking right at them. I think this is so because she had been living in the past. When Sethe noticed the two orange squares on the quilt, she was distracted at them because she was acknowledging their color. I think that when she notices them, it is symbolism for reform and that she is starting to forgive herself for her past and starting to live in the present.
Beloved is a very interesting character.She shows up to 124 all worn out and tierd but yet she is described as soft. Well, her skin is. She makes that long journey and when she takes off her shoes, her skin is described as soft and smooth. It reminds me of a baby's skin. Now that Beloved is at 124 Denver has someone to be with and look after. She seems to have drifted away from her mother and she never really like Paul D. It's mentioned that Denver has not had time to visit her Emerald room because of Beloved and i think thats a good thing. Denver should not be lonely. Because of Beloved, Denver has someone to bond with.
I think the trees are also an example of symbolism. The "chokecherry" tree on Sethes back represents her rough past and what had happend to her as a slave. Sethe tries to hide her past but it will always be with her just like the "chokecherry" tree will always be on her back. I also believe though that trees represent comfort and sadness for her. Sethe states that sometime when she was dreaming she would see her children (Buglar and Howard) in the trees. I think this gave her comfort and peace becuase she was with her children and knew that they were safe. But it would only last for awhile and she would awake to find them not there which would casue her sadnesss again.
I feel really bad for Sethe. She seems to be dealing with a lot of pain and anger from her past. Like with the chokecherry tree, she must have gotten whipped, and the scars probably look like a tree. I think that the "baby ghost" has a lot to do with Sethe's anger. Maybe if she lets go of some of her anger, and tries to work through her problems, the "baby ghost" will go away. It is also ironic that she chose Halle as a husband in the past, which took her a year to decide, but then ends up with Paul D, who has wanted to be with her for years.
In Beloved characters will only recognize colors when they are "alive." Baby Suggs has an infatuation with colors right before she dies where she tries to find meaning in her life. Sethe forgets colors after Beloved is buried and bears the burden of life during Beloved's absence. When Sethe remembers colors again is when she regains emotions and plays with Beloved constantly. Sethe rediscovers colors in the carnival dresses she makes. In Beloved characters encounter colors when they are living life not enduring it.
There seems to be a lot of symbolism in this book. I really have not figured out what it all means though. I have read some of the previous posts, and figured out some of the symbolism from them, but I am still a little confused on this whole book. I agree that the "baby ghost" represents Sethe's anger. What is the white dress that was holding on to Sethe supposed to symbolize? Is that supposed to be the "baby ghost", or something else? And was Amy Denver supposed to symbolize something, or was she really just a lady that helped Sethe, and was nice to her?
The moment of redemption in the novel Beloved is after Sethe attempts to kill Mr. Bodwin with the ice pick. Sethe has ended the period of her life where she would resort to violence to keep her children safe. When Sethe sees Mr. Bodwin she attempts to stab him to keep Beloved and Denver safe from the white man. After the attempted stabbing she moves on to a different stage of her life where she becomes a member of the community again and is no longer the strange woman.
I think that Denver is really having a hard time with Paul D living with them. I do not think that she likes that there is this man coming in, and making moves on her mother. I also do not think that she likes that he is disrupting things in their house. Especially the things involving the "baby ghost". Denver acts rude and cold towards Paul D, which shows her dislike for him, or at least her dislike that he is there. She really seems to want him to leave. I wonder if he will stay, and if Denver will eventually like that he is there. Maybe Paul D will eventually become a father figure for her.
I think that the girl named "Beloved" that has come into the story has some connection to the "baby ghost", since "Beloved" was carved into the dead baby's headstone. This girl that just came into the story is like a baby/toddler in some ways, in that she does not talk or walk very well, and that she likes sugar, which is something that kids usually love. It is a little strange that she is "sick," but does not appear so. It is also odd that she was able to pick up the chair with one hand if she is "so sick." I think later on in the story, there will be some connection made with the girl "Beloved" and the baby that died, ("baby ghost"). I'm sure that she symbolizes something big and important to the whole novel.
I feel really bad for Sethe that she never got to have a real wedding. It is really sad that, since she was a slave, they would not let her have a ceremony, with something special to eat like she wanted. It is also sad that she had to make her own dress out of material that she stole, but it was good that it made her happy and that she was so proud of herself. It is sad too that her honeymoon had to be in the cornfield. It was really nice though of Mrs. Garner to be nice to her by not telling on her for stealing, or for sneaking off to the cornfield with Halle. It was also nice of her to give Sethe those earings as a present, and to tell Sethe that she wanted her and Halle to be happy together.
So it seems to me that "baby ghost" and Beloved are connected in some way (if thats not all ready obvious). Soon after Paul D scared away the ghost, Beloved appears. Ever since Beloved has arrived she has been hanging around Sethe, just as "baby ghost" hung around her with the dress around her waist. And I find it strange that her name is Beloved, the word Sethe told the headstone guy to take off of her daughters headstone, as it was "Dearly Beloved." Beloved is an interesting character to read about, so I'll keep looking for connections.
The Christ-like figure in this novel is deffinately Baby Suggs. She knows exactly what to do when things come around; she heals the sick, hides fugitives, loves, sings, preaches, and dances. These are some traits of Christ. Also whenever her name is mentioned, "holy" comes after it. Baby Suggs has a "Clearing" where she preaches to local people. Finally, she is Christ-like when she has a party and three pies turn to 10 and 2 hens become 5 turkeys.
In the start of the novel I liked Beloved because she brought love to Sethe and Denver. She comforted Denver through companionship, and she supported Sethe by listening to her past. However, things are changing in Beloved's behavior and she is becoming more dependent of food and Sethe's attention. I think Beloved is the "Anti-Christ" because Sethe is becoming sick and very weak, and as Sethe continues to lose strength Beloved calls for more and more attention and food. Like she is gaining strenght as Sethe loses it.
Denver is, surpirsingly, growing up and out of the 124. She feels totally left out because Sethe and Beloved only care for each other now, so Denver has to go out, get a job, and ask around the neighborhood for help because her mother is going insane. Denver soon learns more about the outside world and about the people in her neighborhood and how they are connected to her. I think this is the core-identity of Denver. Not being afraid of talking to other people and becoming her own person.
Beloved is a very suspicious character to me. She doesn't fully explain where she is from and how she got to 124. She also has new clothing and soft skin. Like Paul D points out she isn't wearing shoes but her feet dont show it. Also, how old is Beloved? Is she closer to Denver's age? I feel beloved is at 124 to get revenge on sethe, because she tries to strangle Sethe in the clearing.
The Christ-like person in the novel is Baby Suggs. First she is a healer. When Sethe came to meet her for the first time she washes her and revives her. Also Baby would preach to people in the clearing, lifting their spirits by dancing crying and laughing. The anti christ figure in the novel i think would be Beloved. She comes from a "dark place" (maybe symbolizes Hell????) where people are dead and curled up unable to move. She also drains the life out of Sethe, asking her to tell painful stories of her past.
I think the Christ-like figure in the novel is Baby-Suggs. Because in the novel it says that she heals, preaches (in her own way), and most importantly she loves. I think the anti-christ figure in the novel is Beloved. Ever since Beloved has been staying at 124 Sethe is losing more and more of her strength. As Beloved asks for more attention Sethe is losing the strenght she has. Also, Beloved is acting sort of a mean to Denver. She told Denver, "Don't tell me what to do." That's kind of harsh after Denvers been the one taking care of her.
The character most obsessed with repressing his memories is Paul D. Paul D tries his hardest to keep all of his painful memories of his life at Sweet Home and prison inside his “tobacco tin lodged in his chest.” I thought it was interesting when Paul D. moved around from room to room at 124 and ended up sleeping outside of the house. Paul D's strategy of keeping everything of the past in the "tobacco tin" is not very effective because by being around Sethe, his past is bound to come up. Although Paul D is trying to preserve himself from being hurt further, he is not helping himself overall because when his past is brought up, the memories are going to overwhelming.
I agree that Baby Suggs is the "Christ-like" figure. Beloved seems to be more of an "Anti-Christ". Beloved is very greedy and wants everything and everyone for herself, just like a little child. When she starts to take the life out of Sethe, Beloved seems to take on an "Anti-Christ" feeling. Just the fact that the spirit has to be exorcised from the house to save Sethe seems to indicate an evil spirit.
I enjoyed the ending of the novel when the community finally comes through and helps Sethe and Denver. They finally get over having their grudge against Sethe, and don't take it out on Denver either, when she asks for help in feeding her family. After acting so badly toward Sethe for so many years, I find it touching that the community finally comes to Sethe's aid when she needs help the most. Now Sethe's life can go on.
I believe that the arrival of Paul D in the beginnnig of the book is what causes this story to form into the experience of remembering Sethe's and Denver's pasts. Upon the arrival of Paul D, Sethe and Denver seem to remember things that they probably would not have dreamed of remembering. I think Paul D symbolizes the past, present, and future for Sethe and Denver, what troubles they have gone through, and how the future will turn out for them.
I think Paul D. is the character that looks at and remembers the past the most. He talks about how his heart is a "Tabacco Tin" that is rusted shut, that will never be open to show all the painful memories inside. He is always remembering his days as a slave and sometimes his life at sweet home. Beloved is not to fond of Paul D. I think that Beloved purposley hurts Paul D. and drives him away so she can have Sethe to herself. Just like how Beloved opens Paul D's rusted shut "Tabacco Tin."
I think what happens to Baby Sugg's life after Sethe kills her baby is a shame. Before this event, Baby Suggs inspires and moves the other blacks in the Clearing, bringing a sense of community to them. Yet people grow spiteful inside because they are jealous of Baby Sugg's getting bought out of slavery and the big house she received. They don't realize the hardships Baby Suggs faced in her years of hard work at Sweet Home and her eventual loss of all her children. Then after Sethe kills Beloved, Baby acts as a forgiving person would, not abandoning Sethe--yet the other blacks abandon her for associating with Sethe. At the end of the story, it is comforting to find out that people in the community, like Janey, recognize how caring Baby Suggs was, but they shouldn't have lapsed into passiveness of Baby Suggs just because she related to Sethe and 124 when she was alive.
When starting the novel Beloved, Sethe quickly seemed to me a very depressing character. Don't get me wrong, she should be depressing after all she went through. However,as Paul D moves in, he becomes a sign of hope for Sethe's happiness. Sethe's daughter, Denver, I think, is a brat who sometimes doesn't consider the hard times her mother goes through.
As I was reading others comments I have to agree with saying that Denver is an interesting character.She does not seem to be bothered by the ghost but she seems to hate the house that she lives in. Denver also seems to be sefish. She is worried about what people think about her and wanting more for herself.Denver does not take the time to think about what the house ment to her mother after she ran away from slavery and found freedom.
As the story continues,Sethe's past is revealed and everything about her falls into place. Denver, Sethe, and Paul D begin to grow close, but not for too long. There's something suspicious about their new house guest, Beloved. She mysteriously seems to know a lot about Sethe. With her other three children gone, Beloved signifies that void Sethe has been missing.
Since the beginning of the novel to now, I have seen something change in Denver. I believe that since the arrival of Beloved, Denver has changed the person who she is, and it seems to be quite amazing to me, how this sudden arrival of such a person could change her so drastically. What causes Denver to change that she sees in Beloved? Is it the idea that she now has somebody new to learn about/with or something entirely different? I believe Denver is so obssesed with Beloved because she is somebody that isn't planning on going away, and who she considers a friend. Do you (whoever reads this) see this change in Denver? If so, what do you think of it?
As I read the novel I couldn't help but notice the danger that is associated with love. When the main characters are slaves it is dangerous to love anything because they never knew when those precious things might be taken away. Later loving too much becomes dangerous when it comes to Denvers love of Beloved, Beloveds love for Sethe, and Sethes love for her children.
I like how 124 is personified throughout the novel. The characteristics given to the house seem to set the mood. For example, when the feast from the past is described, 124 is "rocking with laughter," giving a joyful, upbeat mood. Near the end when "124 was quiet," the story has a depleted mood as Denver thinks about struggling through hunger. However, the house seems to lose its characteristics after Beloved leaves, as Paul D realizes 124 no longer looks back at him and is like any worn-down house at the end of the story.
I think Beloved is a very hostile character. She wants Sethe all to herself, so Denver can't be with her own mother. The books says that Denver choses her words carefully around Beloved because something could set her off. Eventhough Beloved is this way, Denver believes that she needs to still take care of her, and that Beloved is there to be Denvers bestfriend.
I think that trees symbolize several things in Beloved but they mainly symbolize healing and growth. For example, when Sethe is giving birth to Denver, Amy Denver compares the scars on Sethe's back to a chokeberry tree. By doing this, Amy turns Sethe's symbol of the pain and misery she suffered as a slave into a place of healing and growth, which helps Sethe move on with her life. Trees also benefit Denver as she finds solace in her "emerald closet" to make uyp for the loneliness she feels living at 124.
It's easy for the reader to pity Sethe because of all she has been through. Everything she's been through has made her tougher and I don't think she often feels pity for herself or others anymore. She obviously cares about Denver and Beloved but not many things seem to bother her. Such as when Paul D decided to leave 124. She didn't try to stop him.
I know that Paul D's tobacco tin symbolizes all his memories of everyone from the Sweet Home. The tin also contains his memories of the Alfred, Georgia prison and everything he's been through. What I don't understand is how you keep memories inside a tin? The tin being rusted shut symbolizes how Paul D doesn't like to talk about his past. I think that if he started talking to someone about his memories, the good and the bad, he would be able to settle down and life rather than traveling to some where new all the time.
I think the orange squares on the quilt are an example of symbolism. I think the orange squares symbolize comfort or saftey. When Baby Suggs was ill and dying she wantedt the house to be filled with color. She would ask Sethe to bring in different things to make the room brighter compared to it's usual grey. I thinkg Baby Suggs wanted to see all the colors she could before she died so the orange patches on the quilt brought her comfort. Also, when Beloved first sees the orange patches on the quilt she instantly likes them and keeps them in site. I think that the patches brough Beloved some sense of safety.
I've only been reading this book for about a day now and thanks to peoples comments I'm understanding a lot of the symbolism I have come across. What confuses me is how Denver acts. When Paul D. comes into the house and talks to Sethe, Denver gets jealous. You'd figure that Denver would be happy in a way that someone has finally visited them. Especially since while making dinner Denver breaks down and crys about how no one comes to visit. When someone finally does come, it's feels like she's trying to push him out. Maybe the breakdown was just a way to attract attention to herself since her mom was busy talking to Paul. Any one have any comments?
Denver is becoming even more interesting as Beloved enters the novel.At first she is scared when Beloved comes in the house but then she warms up to the idea.She becomes even more selfish when Sethe is telling stories about her past that do not involve herself and wants Beloved to hate them to.It is almost like Denver wants Beloved to be her own child.
As I read the novel I feel bad for Sethe. It seems that she has been through alot of pain. She tries to forget what has happened to her, but it doesn't seem likely. I think that maybe Sethe has lost faith and that is sad. I in a way am kind of like Sethe this summer. I have begun to lose my faith as well.
By continuing to read about Sethe and all of the trouble she has been through I am learning myself. Sethe has in a way taught me how to deal with the physical and emotional pain that I know. Although my pain is different from hers, reading about her and how I lost faith just like her, I am able to move on quicker and not have to go through so much.
By reading other people's blogs I am able to understand the novel better. I have to agree with many other people that the orange squares are symbolism. They kind of symbolize safety. Before Baby Suggs died, she saw the quilt with the orange squares and felt a sense of comfort.
I also think that the baby ghost represents the past experiences of Sethe when she was on Sweet Home. Perhaps her prior "abuse" is haunting her. Did anyone else notice that as soom as Paul D got what he wanted he wasn't such a great person anymore? I thought he might be a sign of change for the better in Sethe's life, but after the his thoughts are revealed when the two are laying in silence it seems like he may be a sign of regression in Sethe's life.
I think that Denver experiences a rebirth after Beloved comes to 124 and she realizes that Beloved is harming Sethe. At the begining of the novel, Sethe is timid and lonely and unable to stand up for herself. However, after she realizes that Beloved is taking advantage of Sethe, Denver knows that she must help her. As a result,she overcomes her shyness by coming out of 124 and seeking the help of her neighbors, which shows that she has become a stronger person.
Although Sethe attempted to kill her children, she is still a sympathetic character who I feel sorry for. Although the people in her community consider her arrogant for keeping to herself, she is not and is lonely living with her only remaining child. She is a good mother who loves her children, as shown by her care of Denver and Beloved and only wants the best for them. The main reason that she attempted to kill her children as that she did not want to see them suffer in slavery as she did which is somewhat understandable.
I think there is some symbolism in how Beloved came about. She is said to have suddenly come out of the water. Before a baby is born, a mothers water breaks and when it is born, it comes out of the womb with water as well. Also, many cultures tie births and creation with water. So when Beloved came from the water, it was like she was being born and reincarnated.
I like how no one in the book is skeptical to whether a baby ghost is responsible for the antics in the house. It's different from our time because not many people would so readily accept that logic. I think this reenforces the time period and the type of people in the story because slave culture is filled with superstitions. Also, because these fantasies are held as fact, the reader doesn't second guess the magic that the story is based on.
I'm interested about the detail where Paul D is lead with a bit in his mouth. It made me feel a lot of sympathy for him and made me really think about the rigors of slavery. However, I can't seem to find that specific example of abuse in slave history. Was it a real horror or just an idea from the authors head? Can anyone else find it?
I think that the chokecherry tree on Sethe represents hope and the growing of new life. It shows that the rough tree is overcoming hard times from the past and is sprouting new life as is Sethe with Denver.
I think that it is terrible how badly the slaves were dehumanized at Sweet Home and other plantations. It was sad to read about how Paul D had to wear a metal bit in his mouth like a horse. He was also degraded to the point that he felt that a rooster was superior to him. Sethe was also dehumanized when she overheard the school teacher telling his students to compare her characteristics to an animals. Although it was sad to hear the ways the slaves were dehumanized, it was important to include them to allow the reader to understand the horrors of slavery.
I really like the flashbacks used in this book. It makes the story interesting. My favorite flashback is Denver's birth. It's really ironic that the hatred between blacks and whites is torn when a white girl helps with the delivery of Sethe's baby. The compassion that blacks dismissed from some whites is what really makes it a great flashback.
As I finished the novel everything seemed to fall into place and make sense to me. Beloved came out of revenge on Sethe and (without knowing it?) to heal Denver, Paul D, and Sethe. Denvver became her own woman and was no longer shy around the community. Paul D didn't have to hide his past anymore in his tin box as a heart. He became more of a man and realized he loved Sethe. I liked Sethe's change the best because she realized her best thing was herself and her life as it was. Beloved was gone, the community became her friend, and Denver and Paul D were at her side. She found out that all the things in her past, however horrible, were forgiven. And I like that, it's like a story of growth from a very hard time and human will and spirit overcoming doubt and fear. I think Toni Morrison said this story was never to pass on because the people in the book didn't NEED to remember the bad things that happened before because it was forgiven AND forgotten.
At the end of the novel when Sethe is in Baby Suggs bed dying Sethe is covered by a very colorfull quilt. I think that this colorfull quilt as opposed to Baby Suggs rather bleak quilt represents Sethes story comming full circle. Unlike when Baby Suggs died, Sethe is not starved for color. She has also come to be able to cope with the colors pink and red.
I really like the flashbacks and foreshadowing in this novel. These elements help put the novel together and also make it more interesting to read.
In this novel it becomes apparent to confront ones past instead of trying to forget about it. Paul D. tries to lock away his bad memories in his "tobacco tin", but in the end he can't and they hurt even more than before. Sethe tries to forget about the child she slew but Beloved ends up comming back and ruining Sethes chance at a happy life with Paul D., and nearly severing the close bond Sethe had formed with Denver. Denver even makes herself deaf instead of hearing Sethe tell her about the murder of Beloved. In result the attacks from the ghost become even more violent.
Baby Suggs really surprises me as a character. I think it is odd that she used to love giving sermons in the Clearing and ended up hating it. Also how she used to be so active and lively, but as the novel progresses the reader finds out more about Baby Suggs. She ends up just wanting to stay in bed all day and look at colors. I find it odd that such a lively person could lose all her energy and love for life so quickly.
I think Halle needs to come back to Sethe. She is completely lost without him and Denver needs a true father figure to stay in the household. It' sad that the family has absolutley no idea what happened to him. Sethe fell apart when he left and really needs him to come back. I hope we find out what happened to him by the end of the novel.
I wasn't to sure about what the author wanted us to realize about color and still am not. However Morrison keeps giving flashbacks about Amy and Sethe and keeps bringing up the two patches of orange on the quilt. So I think what Morrison is trying to say is that everything is not just black and white like Sethe and 124 come off as and Sethe needs colors to symbolize the different stories in her life.
I really enjoy reading about denver. I think she is a really strong character. Even at the beginning of the book she shows how couragous she is. She dicides to keep on living with her mom after her brothes leave, her grandmothers dies, and she is considerd a social outcast from the house she is living in. I want to see how her character evolves throughout the book.
I like the fact that Denver has her own little "sanctury" to escape to, the "emerald closet". A place of her own that no one knows about. I think it's the only way to keep Denver from going crazy. To go somewhere else, and not be bothered by problems. I think everyone should have a place of thier own to esape to.
I think the imagery in this book is great. Toni Morrison has such a way of painting a Picture in this book. She describes things as if she knows the people personally, seen the places many times. Everything is very intricute and beautifully wrtitten. Some pic. are fun to look at, like what Denver's "emerald forest" looks like. Other things are kinda' disturbing to look at, like Halle going mad with butter all over his face after he saw men attack Sethe.
I think when reading a book with strong imagery you get attached to the charaters.
The color red is repeatedly mentioned throughout the novel and I think it symbolizes hope. Amy's red velvet symbolizes her hope for a better future. There were also red roses when Sethe, Paul D. and Denver where going to the carnival. At the carnival the three shadows were holding hands, symbolizing a new beginning. However, the color red in the novel doesn't only bring hope, but it also represents death. The roses at the carnival smelled of death, and Sethe remembers the red of her daughter's blood.
Throughout the beginning of this story Sethe and Denver seem to have gone through so much. Denver seems to cope with it a lot better than Sethe. I think that's because of her hideout in the woods behind 124. The way it's described this place is a way for Denver to get away from the world and the pain. A place to relax and imagine whatever she feels like. It makes me wish everyone had a place like that, to think, relax, and dream. It seems like this place though briefly mentioned may be important later.
I liked the day at the Carnival. The discriptions and happiness that it brings to the characters, helps to make the novel not so morbid. I find it strange that Beloved showed up randomly. I think that Paul D is rightfully concerned/annoyed at the fact that Beloved will not share her past. I also think that Denver views Beloved as the sister she never met/had.
I think the character that cares most about the past is Beloved. She asks Sethe about her past through out the novel. I think Beloved could either represent the ghost of Sethe's murdered daughter or slave life from the past. Some ways that Beloved is similar to Sethe's murdered child is that Beloved is about the same age as her child would have been and she has a scar under her chin, which is where Sethe's daughter death scar was. Beloved seems to have a strange power over Paul D, for example when she confronts him in the cold house. I do not care for Beloved.
I think that the Chokecherry tree scar on Seth's back has a symbloic meaning. I think it could represent how the past can leave a scar or a mark on you forever. Seth's tragic past will alwyas be with her because she will alwalys have the scar of the tree on her back. I also think that the tree could symbolize Seth's family tree. Her family tree is incomplete because of her babies death, and this will be on Seth's back reminding her of her past and her baby.
I think that the color orange represents hope in the novel. In many cases throughout the novel when characters are feeling depressed the patches of orange on the blanket seems to cheer them up. The color is bright and hopeful.
Shea DeVore - From the beginning of Beloved's arrival, several clues are given to the reader to hint to the notion that Beloved is Sethe's dead baby. When the woman tells Sethe, Denver, and Paul D that her name is Beloved, Sethe is shocked. Throughout the novel more clues are given. Beloved asks Sethe where her earrings are, Beloved's breath smells like milk, and later, Sethe sees a scar underneath Beloved's chin. Later in the novel Sethe realizes that it is her dead daugther when Beloved hums a song that Sethe made up for her children.
The color red is a major symbol in the novel. Sethe thinks back to when she met Amy Denver and how Amy was on her way to buy red velvet. This represents Amy's hope for her future. Red is also used to describe Paul D's "tin tobacco box" heart, which is opened after his sexual encounter with Beloved. The color orange is on the quilt which symbolizes hope yet again. When Beloved is sick in bed she wants to have the colored part of the blanket closer to her, which shows that she is hopeful. The color pink is on Beloved's gravestone and Sethe recalls the day Beloved was buried many times in the novel. Pink and orange tie into the symbol of the color red because they are both in the red spectrum of the color wheel.
Dehumanization is a reoccurring theme in this novel. Sethe tells Beloved that she overheard schoolteacher talking to his students and he told them to put Sethe's animal characteristics on the right and her human characteristics on the left. This hurt Sethe a lot, but she never told anybody because she is a strong person. Dehumanization is also referred to when Stamp Paid talks says, "Whitepeople believed that whatever the manners, under every dark skin was a jungle." This shows that the white people believe that African Americans are animals and wild savages.
I really like the way the community comes together at the end of the novel. Throughout the beginning the people of the community had shunned Sethe for killing her daughter. I think that Morrison believes in the power of communities to rally behind needy members. The people had only shunned Sethe for so long because of her incessant pride. When Denver reached out for help, they were more than willing to provide it.
I liked Morrison’s outlook on whites in her novel. She balances terrible people like school teacher and the guards in Alfred, Georgia with good people like Amy Denver and the Bodwins. The Mr. Garner is another good example. Although he is a slave owner he raises his slaves to be men, to the best of his ability at least. It would have been all too easy for Morrison to display all whites as bad, especially given the fervent racism during that time period. I think the varying outlook also contributes to the novel. The torture of school teacher was mad all the more worse by Garners especially kind treatment (for a slave owner).
Some people have said that the orange squares represent safety, while others say it represent reform, change, and hope. I'd have to agree with the later. Sethe says after the death of her baby she does not remember ever thinking about color again. I believe that is because she was so tramatized by the death that life, hope, and exitement drained out of her. That explains why her house had very little color. Baby Suggs on the other hand always hoped, hence the squares. No matter how much Sethe kept the house dull, Baby Suggs still kept color (the orange squares), still kept hope in the house. The orange squares on the quilt were Baby Suggs gift to Sethe telling her to hope, that things will get better and change. It's almost as if Baby Suggs was an angel for Sethe.
I have gone from somewhat enjoying this book to completely losing interest. The reason is the constant depiction of sexual situations. I feel that there are too many of these instances and that they are unecessary, when there are so many other ways to show that the blacks of the time lived poorly. The thing that pushed me over the edge was the mention of the "cows". I do not want to know about this paticular part of the slave life, let alone multiple times. I could understand one reference to this subject but the author keeps citing these instances more times than any teenage guy I have ever talked to. Sorry to go on a rampage about the book but this just bothers me that there are so many other avenues to show the horrid conditions of these people and the author choses to overdo this one.
I do not understand the significance of the white dress that Denver has seen with an arm around her mother's waist while praying/talking. The dress is wrapped around her as if it is providing condolence and sympathy for Sethe, trying to comfort her. Is it supposed to be foreshadowing a wedding dress, even though Paul D. does not come into, or back into, her life for years later? The site leaves Denver stressing the fact that the baby has "plans" for them, so I'm interested to see exactly what those plans are.
Also, I have to agree with Josh Perry on the issue of the sexual refrences in this novel. I believe it is mentioned one too many times on levels that are unnecessary, most evident the intercourses had with the cows. Though I realize it was part of the many hardships slaves had to go through in their lives, I do not think Morrison had to go in to such vivid detail and length. I feel like there are so many other moving parts to slavery life and the time period that the author could be sharing with us and making us more understanding, but instead I feel as if the messages the novel provides are being lessened by losing my full interest.
Sethe describes the baby as a gazelle. She states the she came up with it at Sweet Home and held on to it. This could force her to remember her past. Also, to accept that her past is a part of her. Sorry this 1st comment came in sooooo late.
I enjoyed reading how Denver overcomes her fears and worries to request help from the neighbors. It seems ironic that Sethe and Beloved are the cause of Denver's retreat into isolation from the world when she is younger yet also the stimulus of her decision to venture out of 124 when she is older. Sethe has been so plagued with Beloved that I don't think she has ever really thought about Denver's needs. Sethe doesn't even acknowledge the aid Denver seeks, but Denver is such a strong, confident person at the end that this doesn't bother her.
Josh and Ashley are right about how many sexual references there are. I understand that Toni Morrison is trying to show the lives of slaves, yet I wish she left some of the cow related details out. The point of showing slave life still could be made without such details. The book is still good. I still believe that there are too many sexual references in the first 40 pages.
This novel is tough to read. When I first read some I don't get it. I go back and re-read what i just read I get it on a whole different level. There is a lot of metaphors, imagery, and other such things that I get distracted by those. After I re-read, I am in awe of Toni Morrison's writting ability and style. I'm not even done with the first half. I am to believe that the novel gets better, both in the way it is written and the plot.
Well I just want to start out by saying I almost forgot about this thing, and when first starting the novel I was unsure on how to pronounce the main characters name. I think i came up with like 4 different ways to do it. I soon became worried about another possible Okonkwo where when we got to school everyone would be pronouncing it differently but upon further reading they said like the mans name. So my initial instincts on pronunciation were correct. I was just wondering if anyone else was feeling the same way, but I might just be weird...
Well I just want to start out by saying I almost forgot about this thing, and when first starting the novel I was unsure on how to pronounce the main characters name. I think i came up with like 4 different ways to do it. I soon became worried about another possible Okonkwo where when we got to school everyone would be pronouncing it differently but upon further reading they said like the mans name. So my initial instincts on pronunciation were correct. I was just wondering if anyone else was feeling the same way, but I might just be weird...
I think that Beloved is dangerous. She is evasive and sly. Although she is not, she seems to me like a typical serial killer. I think there will be major conflict between her and Paul D. Maybe even a deathmatch between them? That would certainly break up the boring plot of the novel. My money would be on Paul D. He's a tough man and has no feelings anymore. Just a thought.
In response to Hillary's comment, I've had the same "problem," if that's what we want to call it. For the whole first chapter I pronounced Sethe's name differently each time I read it, but that trouble helps me see what the actual names would be like and how names were symbolically picked, such as Denver's name being after Amy Denver. And as long as I'm on the topic of the composition of the novel, I wanted to bring up the syntax Morrison uses. I think the excessive use of commas, which correspsond with the compounded sentences, is an interesting method. I believe she does this to get a more detailed description across, and help the reader draw a better understanding with what she was trying to say. I think it's an effective method.
I think the color pink represents pain and loss in the novel. Sethe uses the color to describe the loss of her baby. Sethe tried to avoid the color pink because it reminds Sethe of her lost baby.
I believe there are far too many repeated sexual situation. I understand that they are put in the novel to show the rough life of the African Americans in this time but i feel it is taken too far. Especially in the situation of the cows. If there is one subject i dont want pictured in my head while reading a novel, or any other time, it is sexual encounters with cows.
I think the appearance of Beloved is a good thing for many reasons. She helps Sethe and Paul D learn more about each other and helps them both more understand their mutual past so they can both move on together. Beloved also helps Denver. Denver is very self-centered in the begining of the book, and part of that is because both she and Sethe are excluded from the community, so they both only have to concentrate on each other and no one else. Beloved helps Denver get a better understanding of others and becomes her first real friend.
I was confused at first when I started the book. Sethe seemed to skip around from past to present a lot. I also couldn't understand the meanings of some things until later in the book.I also still don't get why the author had to write about how the Sweet Home men abused cows more than once.
Owen! I couldn't agree with you more!! I read this novel and become very uncomfortable. With that being said. All of those situations add to the novel and make it what it is. Without those situations we wouldn't fully understand the characters, the decsions they make, and how their lives are interwoven.
I've been reading each of your comments with interest. I'm impressed with the depth of analysis and insights you've been making. You've touched on many of the topics that the major scholars have explored when reading this novel. It sounds as if your comments are helping others to make meaning and understand, what is for most, somewhat of a tough read. What tends to be both fascinating and frustrating about reading this novel is that Morrison's style reinforces her theme of repressed memory. So, as you've most likely noticed, the whole story is revealed in bits and pieces through various narrators through flashbacks and stories (as the characters begin to confront their terrible memories). As you continue to read, the pieces begin to fit together, and everything comes together in the end. It's a little like reading a detective novel in that you pay attention to all the clues, and try to work out how they fit together.
Morrison has stated that part of her mission is to look at the horrors of slavery and "not blink" (my paraphrase). She edited a book called The Black Book before writing Beloved, which was a historical account of African American life during slavery and afterward. Many of the atrocities she writes about are based on her research of slavery while compiling this book. Morrison knows that the story she tells is "not to be told" as is repeated toward the end of the novel, as no one wants to hear about the existence of the inhumanity and dehumanization that occured during slavery. However, she believes that in order to heal from the wounds of the past, it must be honestly confronted with no sugar-coating or omissions. It is a powerfully disturbing message, and it's not unusual if you feel powerfully disturbed. Morrison was- that's probably why she wrote the book.
In regard to the adult references in the book, as I stated earlier in your handouts, they are there for the purpose of showing the dehumaniztion of the slaves and in some cases working on a figurative level to illustrate a theme of the novel. The cow references are indeed shocking, but they do show dehumanization of the slaves, who are not allowed to marry, date, or have their own romantic lives- they are treated like animals and may internalize that on some level. The irony is that Garner feels he treats his slaves like "men," but continues to rob them of the most basic human needs and desires. In addition, the relationship between Beloved and Paul D. is a strange one on the surface, but may be read on multiple levels. On the literal level, Beloved is trying to get rid of Paul D. so she can have Sethe (pronounced Seth-uh) all to herself, so she seduces him because she knows he will have to leave. On a symbolic level, some have suggested that Beloved represents the ghost of slavery's past, so to speak, thus when Paul D. gives in to her, he is finally confronting the horrors of memory, and then is free to move on. Sethe, on the other hand, begins to allow the memories to eat her alive (in the form of Beloved) and is "rescued" by the community coming together to work through the pain (and "exorcise" the demons of slavery), as well as her own decision to strike out at the oppressor (even though it's Bodwin and not Schoolteacher) instead of her own. This action seems to reverse the course of her life as the novel comes full circle.
Anyway, what I'm trying to communicate is that there is a lot of substance to the novel if you give it a chance. I selected it for its literary merit (it won the Pulizer Prize in 1988 and is frequently included on the AP Exam) and its message. However, if there is anyone who doesn't feel that they are able to continue reading the book due to the references or subject matter, again, email me as soon as possible so that you may get an alternate reading assignment. My apologies for the long-winded comment. Thanks again, everyone, for sharing your ideas.
I enjoyed reading as Denver matures throughout the novel. In the beginning Denver is immature and starved for attention. After Beloved begins living with them Denver becomes almost as a mother figure by taking care of Beloved when she first comes to 124. Denver is a very dynamic character in the novel.
I feel bad how the slaves were treated and how they had to wear the metal bit in their mouth. How they couldn't spit and how painful it was. Also how Paul D. felt that a rooster was more superior than he was, and that if the rooster (Mister) was allowed to stay and be what he was but Paul D. himself was not allowed the same treatment. It is a shame how they were treated. However, I was a little disturbed, as I see many people were, with the sexual situations regarding the cows. I think Toni went a little far in the explicit details in which the situations are described. I can understand why she used it as an example though, it shows the harsh extremes that the slaves went through but it did kinda leave a bad picture in your head
As I was reading the novel, I was trying to figure out what the white dress, clinging to Sethe's side, represented. As Beloved entered the novel and i was reading more about her and why she came, I thought that maybe the white dress clinging to Sethe's side represented her clinging to hope and to her past in hopes of a better and more prosperous future. Earlier in the novel I remember Denver saying that the "baby ghost" has plans for them. Not long after the "baby ghost" left did Beloved show up. So I was thinking that maybe the baby ghost symbolized Beloved and becasue the baby ghost left the house...Beloved came back but not just in spirit.
I have been reading everyone else's comments and they have really helped me understand the book better. Anyway, I think the color red, and other colors like it like orange and pink, are linked with living and dying and coming and going. Amy Denver's red velvet symbolizes a brighter future coming. The red roses link with the coming of the carnival but are also rotting which goes along with death. Baby Suggs likes the orange quilt squares when she is dying and Beloved likes them when she is getting healthier. There are also the pink bits of rock in the other Beloved's gravestone corresponding with death.
I think Beloved is the spirit of the daughter Sethe killed. She comes out of nowhere after her other spirit from the house was gotten rid of. Her clothes are new and her skin is still soft like a baby's even though she said she walked a very long way. Her feet should have been swollen and calloused. When Sethe first sees Beloved, she is soaked and it reminds her of her water breaking. Also, things start to go downhill after she arrives. She could be trying to continue haunting the family like she had done before.
Memories are a big part of this book since it is made up of a lot of them(which is kind of confusing). Paul D keeps his memories in his "tobacco tin". Sethe does not like to talk about her passed very much and trys to forget as much as she can. Denver likes to hear the story of Amy Denver and how she was born but no other ones. Beloved loves to hear Sethe tell stories, and she asks to hear stories about things she should have no idea about like the earrings.
Here's the tally as of now. They're in alphabetical order according to your first name. Let me know if I missed anyone.
Aaron H: 4
Abby B: 3
Alyssa S: 3
Amelia D: 3
Ashley R: 3
Ashly L: 3
Beth B: 2
Brandi O: 5
Brett B: 5
Brian K: 2
Chayna W: 3
Chelsea G: 5
Courtney L: 5
Daniel G: 5
Danielle G: 3
Erica P: 4
Gabby M: 5
Haley T: 3
Hillary F: 2
Jaclyn C: 5
Jamie V: 3
Jen N: 3
Josh P: 2
Julia W: 5
Kate C: 2
Kelly W: 4
Kelsey P: 5
Kristin R: 4
Marie S: 3
Megan G: 3
Michelle P: 5
Owen: 1
Rebecca H: 3
Shea D: 3
Taylor P: 5
So far, trees seem to be a symbol of comfort and healing. Sethe's scars on her back, the chokecherry tree, are a sign of healing from all the bad memories of being a slave. Denver's little forest room gave her comfort. She could go there and be alone and smell cologne. All of the pretty trees at Sweet Home were the only good memories there. One of those trees, the men called it Brother, brought comfort to Paul D. He could sit under it and be alone or talk with the others.
I agree with the other people who said Denver is a very dynamic character. She begins being shy, lonely, and kind of a pain. She goes to her special spot surrounded by bushes to be by herself a lot and does not have any friends. She is rude to Paul D. and never seems happy until they go to the carnival. When Beloved comes, she begins to change. She takes care of her and watches over her while she is sick. She begins to grow more and helps others around her and become more courageous.
I like how the characters are revealed through flashbacks and memories. I think Sethe has so many painful memories that she doesn't know how to deal with them. The "chokecherry tree" on Sethe's back represents the life she had as a slave. The scars that slvery left, both physicaly and emotionally, will remain with her forever.
With the arrival of beloved the plot has become much more interesting. Denver has matured from the little girl sitting on the steps begging for attention to someone who is caretaker to beloved. I definitely believe that beloved is a direct representation of Sethe's lost child. The first thing that led me to beleive this was that she was wet when she showed up and that Sethe released all of the water right before they discovered Beloved. Another thing that makes me think that she is Sethe's daughter "reborn" is the aforementioned situation where Denver takes care of her like a sister would. The final and most obvious thing that was actually my first observation was the name similarity.
All the characters have a different way of remembering things. Paul D keeps all his memories in a “tin can” sealed up tight so nothing would ever “fall out.” Sethe tries to remember as little as possible as a result she can now only remember the baby faces of her two sons. Denver, on the other hand, only has a few good memories like the story that her mother told her of her birth and of Amy Denver.
Beloved is strange to me. She comes out of now where tired and hungry. But she has soft skin…kind of like she got a ride from where ever she came from. All so lays in bed for many days and when she starts to walk she appears to be weak but Paul D said that he saw her pick a chair one handed. Later, after she has been at the house for a while she tries to focus all her attention on to Sethe even though Denver is trying as hard as possible to bond with Beloved especially after she figures out that Beloved is human form of the baby ghost.
I think that one of the main themes of this novel is that with help from the past we can build a better future. Beloved helps Denver decide to make her own future by symbolicly showing the past when Denver becomes obsessed wiht Beloved who is a symbol of the past. When Denver fears that Beloved may kill Sethe she runs away and for the first time in years leaves the house alone, showing that Denver has progressed and is moving on to her own future with help coming from experiences in the past. Perhaps the grey and orange blanket in the beginning of the novel is a symbol of how when you pay attention to the past (Beloved being taken care of by Denver with the blanket) that there can be a bright future if you overcome the past that is all around you. The orange representing the bright future and the grey of the room and blanket representing the troubled past.
Theres a lot of symbolism in this book. Trees often symbolize comfort and peace. Denver has a secret place in the trees were she goes to find peace. At Sweet Home there was a tree called "Brother", which everyone sat under. "...trees were inviting; things you could trust and be near; talk to if you wanted to..."(25). Sethe also dreams of her two boys sitting in a tree which brings her comfort.
I've read some of the posts prior to mine where people have said they don't think that all the sexual references in this novel are necessary and that they found it boring and somewhat gruesome. I can say I feel the same way, however, I think that this reference is relative to something in the story. I can't think of any logical way that this is is relevent to the story but if it repeats itself so much, it MUST mean something. Maybe it shows that this is the only way to continue on through generations, or maybe even one of the simple pleasures in the poor lives they lived. Anybody else have any ideas why this might be such a common reference?
JackieHarrison
I believe Sethe is semi-jinxed. First of all she was a slave, then her sons run away, then her mother in law dies. And before all of that she lost a child. Who now haunts her house. Denver is the only child still with Sethe. I think the ghost of the child, represents the horrors and many trials in Sethe's life. She was beaten and raped before. Denver becomes jealous when Paul D come, she doesnt like the attention he is getting from her mother. What Ashly Larrow said about the address 124, i never would have noticed that. That's pretty sweet.
Jackie Harrison
Amy Denver was a symbol of hope and a symbol of a future not in slavery for Sethe. Amy's like the Light at the end of the tunnel, shows that one day all her suffereing will be gone. Denver is sort of immature, she hides away in her special place. She finally comes around when Paul D takes her to the carnival. I think the shadows that resemble holding hands shows that there is hope for happiness in the future. I think its ironic that the lady's name is Beloved, when thats what Sethe had egngraved on her daughters Grave. Like everyone else has said, Denver seems to grow up and mature when Beloved comes and she takes care of Beloved.
Jackie Harrison
Sethe's mother had a rough life. She was raped by white men. Sethe had long forgotten her mother's death. I feel so bad for Sethe when she finds out that Halle saw everything that happened to her, i understand how stunned he must have been to see that, by i dont understand how he didnt do anything about it. That just makes me mad. Anyways, I believe that Beloved is Sethe's dead child reincarnated:)
I am divided about how I feel about Sethe. I can understand why she does things but I usually don’t agree with her reasoning. Killing her daughter is very extreme. Although I understand that she thought that it was necessary, I believe that she could have easily come up with a much better solution. Also she acted very stuck up to everyone when Baby Suggs died. She might have regained friends if she hadn’t acted the way she did toward them.
I am happy for Sethe that she has found contentment in 124. She has realized that all her memories can be "laid down" and forgotten. She doesn't need to recall the past anymore. This is a big step for Sethe and kind of an accomplishment. She is able to let go of her past and start a new life in the world at 124 Bluestone Road. She has also realized that the shadow of three holding hands was not of her, Denver, and Paul D, but of her, Denver, and Beloved. She knows now that she can have a life inside the home of 124. This signifies a better future for her and more happiness.
Colors seem to mean different things to each character. Red for example, represents pain and suffering to Sethe because of seeing her baby's red blood. To Paul D. red is a symbol of emotion. He often seems to feel strongly about things that are red, the rooster for example and his heart. Amy makes a big deal out of the carmine velvet, which represents a better life to her.
I think it is strange that Sethe wants Dearly Beloved written on the headstone. That is all she hears the minister say at the funeral, but he means all the people attending not the dead baby. Sethe misinterprets what the minister said, but still why Beloved? Didn’t the baby have a real name yet? She was old enough to have a name, especially since Denver had her name and is younger than Beloved.
The way Morrison keeps repeating the phrase "Crawling already baby?"it didn't suprise me that Sethe killed her daughter. Each time I read over that phrase it occured to me that the phrase makes it sound like Sethe does not think of it as her child. It is almost like the time apart from her "crawling alread baby?" ruined the connection of mother and daughter especially after what Sethe went through with Denver.
I find it pretty funny how Denver,Sethe,and Beloved form their own little love triangle. Denver being her normal bratty self wants to keep Beloved to herself. Beloved however wants attention from Sethe instead of Denver. If thats not confusing enough, Sethe starts to see Beloved as one of her own (even though she really is anyway). Being a typical teenager,Denver is not that much into her mother. However I have the feeling that Denver is becoming more and more jealous with every story Sethe tells Beloved and is competting for more attention from her mother now.
A recurring symbol in Beloved are the trees which symbolize peace and comfort.One example of this is the trees at Sweet Home which make it seem beautiful and great when it is really a slave plantation. They also speak of trees growing on their backs which is obviously not literal. The trees represent the pain and suffering they have gone through throughout their lives
A topic that i see reaccuring throught the blogs is the issue of the "extreme" and descriptive uses of Morrisons description of slave life. After reading everyones thoughts i cant help but agree with them. However thankfully Mrs. Heartz posted to why Morrison uses the techniques that she chose to use. Now that i have clarification on why she chose to use such description, i feel less disturbed and much better about the issue now that i know why Morrison did what she did.
I think its interesting how the author revelas facts a about the past through flashbacks and foreshadowing.I think as you read they help you peiece together things and they help me understand the novel better. By doing this the author also makes the book more interesting.
In the novel Sethe's has a huge variety of emotions going through her. She experiences many internal and external conflicts. Some internal conflicts i noticed that she experienced was her continued feelings toward Sweet Home and what occured there to her and the other slaves. An external conflict that i notices Sethe encounters is her feelings toward Denver and Beloved. Denver was striving for attention when Paul D came and then with the arrival of Beloved eventually only added to the stress put upon Sethe
Trees are a reoccuring symbol in the novel. they represent both comfort and life. When Sethe talks of the beautiful tree of Sweet Howe, their beuty seem to mask the horrible things that happened there and make Sethe seem more comfterable with her Surroundings. Also Sethe escaped slavery throught a forest and Paul D escaped by following the flowering trees, soo trees helped create a better life for them.
I believe Beloved is a devious character. She comes into the story very innocently, but it's almost as if she's turning into a bad omen for Sethe. Beloved comes into the story just as it seems Sethe is moving on and looking to a better future. Slowly though Beloved is changing that future. She's making Sethe recall a very troubling past, drawing her back into the nightmare she was just getting out of. To me Paul D. has a right to be suspicious of Beloved.
Beloved is a very interesting character. She obviously is supposed to symbolize the child Sethe murdered. I think Beloved is actually the ghost of the baby that somehow was able to take the form of a real child. This would explain why Beloved is obsessed with recieving Sethe's attention and always waits for Sethe to come home form work. It would also explain how Beloved was able to dissapear in the cold house and why Beloved acts like a little girl.
The character I sympathize the most for is Denver. She has pretty much grown up without a father and I can understand why she wasn't very fond of Paul D moving in. I can also tell that Denver is very lonely and wishes she had friends, which is why she becomes so attached to Beloved. I felt bad for her when she stopped going to school after that boy asked her about Sethe.
I think I might possible be the only person on this blog who doesn't like this book. First of all, I'm sick of almost all the books written about blacks having to do with slavery and discrimination. It's like the only purpose black literature has is to be redundant, beating the dead horse of all the injustices white people have committed against blacks. While many will see it a progressive, I see just the opposite. As long as people continue to dwell on past mistakes there will be no progress in accepting everybody as an equal. While others will say telling the stories of slaves educates people on the horrors of slavery and the "sixty million and more" killed in the middle passage, it is really just a constant reminder to all that you are different from others visually, translating into feelings of differentiation pertaining to one's worth as a human being.
Have you ever watched a movie where it says based on true events, yet when you research the topic of the movie it is clear the director took a few "creative liberties" which detracted from the actual story, or changed it altogether? If you don't know what I'm talking about: Spoiler Alert! Texas Chainsaw Massacre was false with the exception of a man named Ed Gein wearing a mask mad of human skin. That is how I feel with Beloved. The book was based on a woman named Margaret Garner who was a runaway slave who killed her 2 year old daughter. However, she was not wracked with guilt over her child's killing like Sethe. Garner, instead, was only "saddened" by the fact that she did not have time before her recapture to kill her other children and herself experience the sweet release of death. For me, it would have been more compelling to read about the mindset of a woman who was saddened because she could not kill all her children, rather than read about one who feels regret over killing ( I can see that in a bad rerun of Law and Order.)
I agree with many of you in that the "Chokecherry tree" on Sethe's back is a constant burden, reminding her of the horrors she experienced as a slave, yet can also serve as a good reminder. Sethe survived the chains of slavery and came out with scars and she is also able to overcome the wracking guilt she feels over her dead child, but knows it will not be an easy journey and will also come out of it with scars (emotional not physical). I do find it ironic that Morrison chose the chokecherry tree to be on Sethe's back however, since the chokecherry tree is found all over the North American continent with two exceptions, on of them being the Deep South, notorious as the heart of slavery.
I think Denver is he most interesting character of the novel. Some have said that they don't understand her and her motives, like when Paul D. visits 124. Beforehand she wanted people to visit but when he shows up she changes her tune and tries to drive him off and treats him coldly. While she may be isolated and want companionship, the one true relationship she has with a person is with her mother and she knows that Paul D. is a threat to the closeness she feels to her mother, which is proven when Sethe gives all her attention to Paul D. and ignores Denver.
Becca Howe said that she thinks there are too many references to sexual behavior/encounters in the beginning of the novel but I can understand why Morrison included them. When is was still legal to smoke in cinemas, studies showed that the majority of people lit up after a sex scene was completed. This was because the depiction of sex made people uncomfortable and lightin up took the awkward edge off. By including so many references to graphic sexual topics, Morrison makes the reader vulnerable enough to try to comprehend the more thought-provoking themes of supernaturalism etc. throughout the novel. While these themes are complex, they are not as shocking as the sexual references and are more accepted because they take the uncomfortable edge off felt by some readers.
I feel bad for Sethe. She’s had such a hard life. She never knew her family, she was a slave most of her life, she’s lost pretty much lost everyone she cares about, except Denver, and the town shuns her. On top of all that her past still comes back to haunt her, and instead of facing it and excepting it she tucks it away in her mind and tries to forget about it. This frankly isn’t doing much good for her.
I find it somewhat ironic how Sethe feels so strongly that her daughter Denver is "charmed." Morrison makes it clear that Sethe believes that nothing bad can happen to her daughter, that pain somehow avoids her. However Denver usually is experiencing feelings of loneliness. It’s ironic that the person who feels so strongly Denver can’t be hurt is actually the one element in Denver’s life that seems to cause most of the pain she feels.
CJ, I was very glad to find out that I'm not the only one who didn't like Beloved. I too am sick of reading novels about blacks about slavery and discrimination. I especially am sick of reading about slavery when most of the novels are historically inacurate. Being a Civil War reenactor who portrays both sides, I can see both sides of slavery. Almost all books about slavery tell the evils of it, when in fact, it was an evil thing, but most slaves were happy and didn't want to leave their home. Novels focus on the atrocities, which did happen, but not often. Slaves were not often beat, because they were valuable property, and slave owners would not want to ruin their propery. I wish novels would focus on how it was for the majority of slaves, not just the few who were severely mistreated.
Now that I am almost finished with the novel, I notice a dramatic change with Denver's character. In the beginning, I thought of her as a selfish brat who never appreciated what her mother went through and always demanded attention. Now, she is scared for her mother and caring enough to go out for help and get herself a job. Sethe's past seems very graphic and it kind of disgusts me to read or try and understand the way she was thinking when she decided to kill her baby. Also, I have to agree with Jenny Nocella about Beloved. She is very mysterious and devious. She comes into the story quiet, loving, and innocent, but we later find her to be violent, nasty, and ignorant.
I would like to talk about trees. I first thought that trees might be some sort of a symbol in this novel when Sethe references her chokecherry tree on her back. It took me back to Speak that we read freshman year and how big a symbol the tree was in that book. After continual refernce to trees I am fairly certain that they are a symbol. I would like to know your thoughts on what they are trying to symbolize. Thanks in advance.
Wow, I have to say that aside from the fact that Sethe killed her daughter for a reason I really can't understand, I liked this book. I'm so glad that Paul D came back instead of Halle. At the end, Paul D says that when he is with Sethe, all the bad things that have happened to him disappear. I am;however, disappointed that Sethe just had to lay down and quit when Beloved left even though Beloved tortured her so much when she was around. Overall, this was a great book and I hope everyone else liked it too.
At the begining of the book I feel very sad because of the life that Sethe is going through. She really trys hard not to think about all of the bad things that happened to her and her family in her life, but the spirit that lives in her house will not allow her to put all of her worries behind her. The ghost only puts a greater burden on Sethe when she is trying not to remember the horrible things that happened to her children. Afterall she doesn't even know if her sons are dead or not. Why should she have to go through somne many problems.
The ghost leaves a feeling of depression all over the house. When Paul D. enters Sethes' house he asks what kind of evil do you have in hear. Sethe replies by saying that it is just sadness. Over all Paul D. is a very odd character. He is always "watching" Sethe once he goes in the house. It's alomost like he is making sure that she hasn't changed from the time that she left Sweet Home. But it also seems that he loves her all together.
I forgot to add a few things from the begining of the book that kind of disturbed me. For instance the whole guys + cow thing. I understand that they had to "pass the time away" but why in the world did that need to be in the book. I realize that all the men of Sweet Home wanted Sethe to their wife but I don't understand why Toni Morrison had to write about what the guys did in the mean time while Sethe was deciding on who to marry. I also don't understand why all of a sudden Denver is reliving how she was born. All of a sudden as she was walking hjome she started to relive it and I personally did not realize how that fit into the novel at that time.
I had a bit of a hard time reading pages 248 – 252 because there is no punctuation. This shows a stream of thought. There is no punctuation because people do not think with punctuation. It shows what Beloved is thinking and how she thinks. I did not like it because it made it difficult to read but it was also interesting to read. Beloved’s thoughts jump around a lot so I did not exactly understand what she was thinking so I read it again. I still think that her thoughts are jumpy and hard to read, but that is how people think. I admire Morrison for writing like that because it had to have been very difficult.
When Beloved came into the novel the whole mood changed. At the begining of the novel Sethe was saddend by the trouble swith her family, but when Beloved comes into the novel I became aware of how nice and comforting Sethe can actually be. At one point the family believes that she is using them, but then realize that she is a lot of trouble and needs to bring up her strength. Sethe sees in her her deceased daughter. Once Beloved shows up Denver becomes very attached to her. She used to only talk to Sethe , but then drew very far away from her. Beloved has changed the novel greatly.
Emily I also believe that those pages are some what confusing. But as you said it shows the thoughts that are directly coming from Beloved. The end of the book over all is very saddning because it almost seems as though Sethe just wants to die because Beloved is gone.Overall the book was very good. Even Though there were a few sexual comments I realized at the end that they actually told the book with a whole different perspective. I hope that every one else enjoys the book.
I thought that Schoolteacher’s perspective of Sethe attempting and succeeding to kill her children was quite interesting. He views the killing as a result of his nephew beating her. None of the other characters connect these two events. I agree that the events were connected. Sethe didn’t want her children to experience slavery because of what she had been through, but I think the main thing she was afraid of was that they would be overly mistreated. I don’t think that even if they had gone back to Sweet Home they would not have been beaten very badly if at all. Schoolteacher was teaching the nephews not to beat the slaves by not letting his nephew who had beaten Sethe come retrieve the escaped slaves. After seeing Sethe kill her children, Schoolteacher views this simply as a lesson to be taught. I thought that was an interesting way of viewing infanticide.
I think that this book has many examples of reverse racism. (Minorities racist against majorities) Whenever a white person is talked about in the novel they are said to be evil with a few exceptions (Amy Denver) and even Sethe first believes that Amy will turn her in because she is white. Although slavery was bad, not all white people supported it. I am also bored of hearing about hardships of an african american in the 1800's. It would be beneficial for American Literature to just move on to a new time period, such as WWII or even current events.
I think Beloved is one of the mroe interesting characters in the novel. She is very needy and acts almost infant-like. It is strange how knowledgable Beloved is about Sethe's past. She knows of the diamond earrings Sethe was given years before as well as the tune to a song made up. I believe Beloved may be the reincarnation of the dead baby.
When Beloved shows up Denver is forced to grow up and take on an adult role. She nurses Beloved when she first arrives and was sick. Beloved is very dependent on other people (babies want for here mother…aka Sethe). When Sethe is not around Beloved becomes dependent on Denver which forces Denver to take on a more motherly role.
Paul D and Sethe show reluctance to remember the past. Telling Sethe that he wants her to be pregnant is his way of putting the past behind him and heading towards a brighter future. He says that having a baby would be a good way to hold on to Sethe. Sethe shows reluctance to remember the past by ignoring the fact that Beloved is her daughter that was killed.
I think that one of the growing themes in the book is how important remember the past is. Much of the book is told in flashbacks but many of the characters try to hide there past from others and themselves. The more they hide there past the more they struggle in the present to find there identity. Sethe hates talking about her life at Sweet home but when she starts to talk about it the happier she becomes. Denver is denied much of the history of her family and life because her mother does not like talking about it so Denver also struggles to find her identity. When Beloved comes into the families life Sethe become more open about her past and tells Beloved about Sweet home and then Denver also learns more about her history.
As I finished reading Beloved I realized that although some parts of the novel may be strange, it was overall a pretty good book. I like how at the end Paul D, Sethe, and Denver are all able to put the past behind them and forget about Beloved's presence in their house. This shows that these three characters are very strong and that they have been able to deal with what they have been through and are capable of moving on with their lives.
Although there are many examples of dehumanization in this novel, I like how the author is able to balance the good with the bad. The reader is presented with the tragic stories of the past and good stories, like when Beloved, Denver, and Sethe go ice skating, at the same time. The reader is told about cruel humans like the schoolteacher, but then is also told about Amy Denver, who helped Sethe give birth to Denver. This provides the reader with an emotional interest in the book.
I was surprised at how easily Sethe moved on after Paul D. left and how quickly she assumed that the three holding hands on the day of the carnival were actually her, Denver, and Beloved rather than Paul D. Paul D. seemed to be the only one who didn't know that Sethe had killed her daughter. I think Beloved is wanting more and more time with Sethe, and since Denver wants attention from Beloved she spends time with them-like when they go ice skating.
(In response to Marie's post)I was also surprised that Sethe completely changed her view on the three figures holding hands so quickly after Paul D. left. Before she was so focused on Paul D. being part of the family and starting a permanent life with him. She completely pushed all of those ideas out of the way after he left. Beloved quickly replaced Paul D. as the missing family member. I just thought it odd that right away Sethe replaced Paul D.. It's almost as if she were thinking of this the entire time Beloved had been there.
When I started to read this book i have to admitt i was i little confused. It seemed the story line skiped around alot. You would get little bits and pieces of information, but never the full story. At first it was annoying, but after a while it was kinda' exciting. You never knew where the story was going to start at the beginning of each chapter.
As i read on, i notice how much Sethe is "afraid" of her past. She will never talk about, which brings a loss to Denver because she'll never know that side of her mom. Whether your past is pretty or not it made you who you are today. Ignoring it is not going to help any. I think so many people struggle with thier past (some with very good reasons to), and it is very obvious that Sethe is one of those people.
I agree with Haley. The set up reminded me alot of The Da Vinci Code. I think that it made this novel a quick read. I liked how while reading if a question was posed, or i was about to be divulged with an important piece of information, the next chapter i would start off reading about something else. It gave me a chance to think about what was going on in the novel and sort of mull it over. Then I would try and figure out how what I was currently reading was related to what i was thinking about.
As i read this book, i think that the characters of Denver and beloved both surprised me. at First i thought that Denver was selfish and not really involved with her mother that much, but as the novel went on, Denver changed to help her mother and became more caring and appreciative. On the other hand, my first thoughts of Beloved were of an innocent, kind girl but as the story progressed it was revealed that she is the violent and not that nice of a person. I like how the author made such dramatic changes in the charaters because she kind of tricks you in a way and it makes the novel more interesting.
Sethe is really close with Denver, which Paul D. said was not safe for a former slave. Sethe then becomes very close to Beloved. Sethe seemed to be getting closer to Paul D. but when he leaves, she completely gets rid of the idea of a future with the two of them. Maybe the ties Sethe feels toward other people are not as deep as they seem?
124 is such an interesting character in and of itself. At one point Denver says that she doesn’t see it as a house but as something thoughts and feelings. It seems weird that all of the characters are so accepting of the fact that this house is haunted and all of the crazy supernatural things that happen are normal to them.
In most books about slavery and in Beloved, loss of personal identity is a big theme. What the oppressors did to their slaves was done to make them feel like they were worthless. They were treated like animals and traded. Sethe and Paul D are both very insecure and filled with a lot of self hatred as a result of being treated like they were less than human. At the end of her life Baby Suggs also became very depressed and kind of just gave up.
At first I had a really hard time understanding Beloved’s back story. Why was she not “moving on”, why did Sethe kill her at all? A lot of people said that they feel bad that Sethe has so much guilt for killing her but I have a really hard time feeling that. Sethe’s guilt and Denver’s anger are expressed a lot of times through Beloved. I think Sethe and Denver partly are so attached to the house because of her but ultimately Beloved’s presence becomes such a problem that they are forced to grow and change.
I have to rant about how Paul D was first introduced. There was a lot of mentioning of raping cows and I was so grossed out by that. I did not want to read about him, think about him, have anything to do with him because every time he was mentioned it would be like, now he’s moved from calves to girls and I was just so grossed out by it. Not a good first impression, not how I want to start out a book. I’ve kind of gotten over that and I think Paul D is a really great character. I love is tin box analogy, how the trauma of his past has hardened him. He moves the story line along because he makes Denver and Beloved so jealous. His almost like sexual encounter with Beloved leads me to believe that she is no longer a child. That she has grown up in a way in the spiritual world.
I also believe that Sethe seems to be very afraid of her past. She avoids the subject the best she can and trys to move on which is good in some aspects and bad in others. Everyone must move on from hardships but it is not a good thing to completely avoid what has happened. It seems as though Sethe keeps many prior experiences from Denver and i think it may be because she is scared to speak of them. Because of this Denver has a great lack of knowledge of her mothers hectic past
I’ve talked to CJ about this so he should know that he is not the only person that doesn’t like this book. It reads so quickly which is really nice but I also don’t like reading about slavery so much. I wouldn’t say it is holding us back but I at this point it’s not moving us forward. It’s become so repetitive. As a country, as a whole we have learned from our mistakes and slavery isn’t really around. Minorities are still not treated equal or always given the same opportunities. If we are going to bring up the topic of discrimination at all we should make it relevant. Learn form the mistakes we are making now.
Post a Comment