Beloved

Casey Barbosa. "Beloved" by Toni Morrison

[bhulburt2015]

Finally finished with Beloved, it is hard to choose one moment that surprised me most—the novel is full of complex tangents, all thickening the plot. I think one of the main “surprisers” is the somewhat abrupt ending, not knowing where Beloved herself goes. As to other aspects that surprised me,...

[caseybarbosa]

I agree with you, Bridget, that racism is still very much prevalent in not only America's society, but in other places all over the world. Sadly, many racial comments have become socially acceptable, and continue to be used without being addressed as harmful. However, I do think it is possible to change the way people address others of a different race over time and hopefully we can achieve a mutual respect and understanding or all races and cultures in the future. 

[caseybarbosa]

- Toni Morrison, Beloved

[caseybarbosa]

     The African American experience in this novel has definitely taught many lessons. One of the most important lessons being that forgiveness and love are two of the most valuable things in this world. Throughout the plot of the novel, forgiveness has been an element that has saved Sethe's, Denver's, and Paul D's life. What really surprised me the most, is how these characters, which have endured lives full of suffering and hardship, still give each other forgiveness and love with such ease. Each of the main characters were somehow hurt by one another, from Sethe pushing Paul D away, to Beloved taking advantage of Sethe, to Denver being neglected by the both of them. However, forgiveness, and the love they have rooted deep inside themselves for each other, seems to affect them individually for the better. When Sethe is withering away just as Baby Suggs did when she had nothing left, the love and forgiveness Paul D shows her helps to not only mend their relationship, but also to make Beloved into a memory they would soon forget. However, what does not surprise me about this experience is that the characters did end up separating from each other. Because Sethe, Denver, Paul D, and Beloved have all endured so much turmoil, the way it affected them and the internal conflicts it caused was bound to come between them. Forgiveness and love help them individually overcome their issues, and only only Sethe and Paul D were able to reunite in the end. 

     In the United States today, I think that forgiveness and love have had a huge effect on the relations between different races. Without the strength to forgive and show love towards those who have hurt us, there would still be hostile separation among different cultures. This is relevant to our study of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn because this book also focuses on the African American experience. Twain, growing up in a slave trading town, was able to witness firsthand the harsh reality of slavery and the hardships of African Americans which were hardships that Sethe, Paul D, and Denver suffered through. 

[caseybarbosa]

The End...

     As the novel comes to a close, I am unsure of my opinion on the matter. I am not sure if I feel disappointed, or relived for the most part. In some aspects I feel dissatisfied because Morrison has, from the very beginning of the novel, built up the reader and prepared her audience for a dramatic finale of some wort, only to let us down by ending with something so simple and almost predictable. However this sort of ending also provides relief.

     On the last page of the book, when the narrator says, "So they forgot her. Like an unpleasant dream during a troubling sleep" (Morrison 324), it causes me to wonder where Beloved had gone and what happened to her. I had expected an ending that provided action and closure to all the mysteries Morrison had planted in the story, but the audience is left only knowing that everything will be okay for Sethe from now on since Paul D returned to help her, or at least we think she will. However, this ending does bring a sense of relief to the reader after all the traumatic events of the plot. The repetition of the phrase "It was not a story to pass on" not only causes the reader to ask why this story should not be passed on, but also reassures that this is where the journey ends, and this will be forgotten. Overall I enjoyed the book and high;y recommend it to all, for it is beautiful and chilling, and truly a story that encourages the reader to think. 

[caseybarbosa]

Praying for forgiveness

[caseybarbosa]

    I believe this photo of a mother cradling her child makes a connection to Sethe and Beloved. Sethe now has the chance to be the best mother she can be to her daughter, and can hold and protect her, like she wanted to all along. 

[caseybarbosa]

The Protagonist's Struggle

     So far I have read a little over two hundred pages into the book. The plot continues to get more and more suspenseful and also confusing. Morrison has given some closure on the truth about Sethe's past and who Beloved really is, although I already had an idea of who she is. Reading about what Sethe did in the past has really helped me to understand her character development and to sympathize with what she is dealing with currently. 

     When I found out that Sethe killed her first daughter Beloved, by her own hand, I was awestruck. What moves me most about Sethe's situation is that she thought that the only way to keep her daughter safe from the horror that is Sweet Home, was to take her life, and in such a gruesome way nonetheless. Sethe felt that having no life at all, was better than suffering through a life with schoolteacher. This really portrays how incredibly traumatizing her experiences at Sweet Home were, and how she would do literally anything to spare her children of such abuse. However, I feel that if I was in the same situation, I would want my children to have the opportunity to live a better life and to be safe, not to kill them. This makes me wonder why Sethe felt that there was no other way to keep her daughter safe. She has endured so much hardship throughout her life that she does not know that a happy life is even possible, therefore death is the next best thing. This tragedy from Sethe's past also helped me to understand why she has such a strange love for Beloved in the present. Sethe never had the opportunity to be a mother to Beloved and is excited she will be able to make up for all the lost years. I am sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of what will happen between Sethe and Beloved as I read forward in the novel. 

[priscillaposadapedrin]

The effect of Morrison’s inclusion of traditional, folkloric, non-literary African-American culture in Beloved is that it creates a more visible and physically understanding of the novel. Morrison does a great job of incorporating the African-American culture in this book. She involves the...

[caseybarbosa]

I really liked how you explored the way the religious practices of African Americans in the time of Sethe and Baby Suggs was used to comfort them and express their thankfulness to God for the things they do have, despite their struggles in the past. I never thought about that detail. I agree that the church helps many former slaves to rebuild their faith and their strength to carry on. Very good analysis on that subject, Priscilla! 

[geocorona2015]

Toni Morrison includes traditional, folkloric, non-literary African-American culture in Beloved. Most of it has been derived from African roots. It is very interesting Morrison decided to take this risky and unusual turn and pick out some issues and combine them in her writing. However, this...

[caseybarbosa]

I agree with you, Georgie, on how Morrison's inclusion of the actual hardships the main characters endured as slaves helps to provide more understanding of their struggles to the reader. I liked the way you analyzed the scene in the book where Beloved's hem darkens as it touches the water. I think you connected it to religion and superstition very well. Nice job!

[caseybarbosa]

[caseybarbosa]

[caseybarbosa]

Morrison's Secret Ingredient

     Toni Morrison includes traditional, folkloric, non-literary African-American culture in Beloved in more ways than one. However, the aspect of African American culture she includes that stands out to me the most is the almost permanent physical, emotional, and mental effect of the torture the main characters have endured in their dark pasts. The memories that Sethe and Paul D continue to relive have affected the way they each respond and react to the events that have occurred thus far, and their futures. 

     Morrison's inclusion of the details of Sethe and Paul D's individual and tragic experiences living and being treated as animals in slave houses plays a big part in their development and the plot of the story itself. As Sethe reflects on her past, how she arrived at 124, Baby Sugg's life at there, and how suddenly she became depressed when Sethe arrived, this causes Sethe to blame herself for Baby Suggs becoming so tired of the meanness in the world. These memories and thoughts in Sethe's head ultimately lead to her being physically harmed by a potentially evil spirit, Beloved. Paul D's past experiences have affected him by weakening his willpower and manhood. He thinks to himself, "If schoolteacher was right it explained how he had come to be a ragdoll - picked up and put back down anywhere any time by a girl young enough to be his daughter" (Morrison 148). The dehumanizing abuse that Paul D suffered from at Sweet Home has stripped him of his integrity and will to do what he wants and what is right, giving Beloved the opportunity to manipulate him, causing more issues for himself and his relationship with Sethe. All of these past memories have affected each character's future and play a big part in the plot line of the story.

[caseybarbosa]

Continuing On...

     As I have continued reading, I have discovered that this story is full of unexpected happenings and plot twists! At first, this book was heart wrenching and depressing. However, now it has completely transformed into a horrifying story that sends chills up my spine with each chapter. The vagueness that Toni Morrison uses in this book really adds to the suspense of the plot line. So far, I have been able to feel very connected with the characters, Sethe, Paul D, and Denver, and each of their individual struggles. I have also realized that although each of their issues differ from each other, they all have a connection to Beloved.

     At this point in the novel, it seems as though Beloved is the source of all the characters' issues. I have noticed that ever since Beloved has entered the plot, Sethe, Paul D, and Denver have each had experiences reliving their past, terrible memories, and tensions have been growing ever since. Morrison's use of foreshadowing have been helping me piece together missing parts from the characters' pasts and their future, which also built up the suspense of the novel. Mostly, I am wondering if Paul D will ever tell Sethe the truth about his intimate experiences with Beloved, and if Beloved will ever attempt to physically harm Sethe again. Toni Morrison's writing in this portion of the novel so far intrigues and sparks the mind of the reader with so many questions that challenge one to evaluate the true meanings of her words and to investigate what the future may hold for each character and that is what I find truly interesting.

[caseybarbosa]

Let Go

[caseybarbosa]

     This photo of a slave house represents Sethe's past life and her memories. This is a symbol I have noticed throughout the novel thus far. For Sethe, this is house is something that is permanent. Throughout the book, Sethe struggles to cope with her traumatizing memories from "Schoolhouse". Some things she tries not to remember, and others creep their way into her mind. Although she is far away from this place, every time she has a memory of it, it still feels just as real for her as it did the first time. The slave house is what made Sethe who she is today and her experiences have shaped her character and affected who or what she puts her trust in. 

[caseybarbosa]

Beloved Returns

     I think there are differentiating conflicts going on in the book at this point. Paul D is enduring his own conflict as he tries to understand Beloved’s purpose in coming back to their home and if her intentions are good or bad. Paul D seems to be the only one in the house who dislikes Beloved’s presence. In addition, Paul D is struggling with trying to win over Denver's affection and also keep a strong relationship with Sethe. Paul D noted that Beloved is "shining", meaning she is strangely attractive to him, but he doesn't have any feelings for her. Beloved simply stands out to him. To keep these thoughts off his mind, Paul D has been actively participating in his and Sethe's intimate relationship. 

     On the other hand, Sethe is having a conflict of her own. She is struggling with being a bit naive. Sethe welcomes Beloved, a stranger, into her home and allows her to be in contact with the people she loves, no questions asked. Sethe fails to examine the fact that Beloved knows things about her that a stranger would not. For example, Beloved asks Sethe about her "diamonds" and how she got them and about Sethe's mother. Even Denver notices that Beloved is more than just a woman stranded on their front porch, however Sethe does not inquire why or how Beloved would know these things about her. Because Sethe loves Denver so incredibly much, she is willing to ignore the possible threats Beloved may pose, as long as Denver is happy. Both Sethe and Paul D's conflicts connect to the African American experience. As Sethe is being questioned about her past by Beloved and Paul D is telling her stories about his own history, it causes both of them to relive their torturous memories and they are constantly reminded of their suffering as slaves. Although they are free, they still suffer the remembrance of their trials and abuse.

[caseybarbosa]