Beloved by Toni Morrison

             

          Summary: The main story takes place in 1873 in Cincinnati, Ohio. In house 124, Sethe, a former slave, lives with her daughter Denver, and Paul D, a former slave from the same plantation as Sethe and shows up the day the novel begins. They previously lived with Baby Suggs, Sethe's mother-in-law who passed away, and two of Sethe's sons who ran away just before Baby Sugg's death. Sethe believes they ran away because of a haunting ghost, Sethe's dead daughter. Denver likes the ghost, however.  There are many flashbacks to Sethe's time as a slave: her being milked, her husband Halle, and worst of all, schoolteacher. 20 years previously, Sethe ran away from the plantation because of schoolteacher's cruel treatment. She and her children escape for one month before schoolteacher comes. In maddening fear, she runs away with her children and attempts to kill them before schoolteacher can take them back into slavery. She succeeds in killing the 2 year old daughter, who is buried with the word "beloved" on her gravestone. The community shuns the house for the actions of Sethe. In current times, Paul D chases the ghost away from the home, and he and Sethe plan a life together. One day, a young woman is found sleeping outside of the house. She calls herself Beloved. Everyone believes she is the reincarnation of Sethe's dead daughter, and the book provides ample evidence to support this view. Denver and Sethe form a strange, unhealthy obsession over Beloved, whereas Paul D hates her but is at her mercy. Beloved commands him against his will often and eventually seduces him. Paul D learns of what happened to Beloved, he moves out. Eventually, the community comes to their aid and helps 124 get rid of Beloved.

          Problems: This story can be found challenging for readers at this age, both in terms of themes, language, and theory. However, it is included on the list of recommended novels by the AP council and highly critically accalimed, so I still feel it is appropriate. If parents are concerned, I would direct them to the AP list and discuss that these are the types of novels that are discussed in college settings. Not only is this a novel full of literary gold, especially in terms of symbolism and theme, but Morrison is a modern figurehead and spokeswoman in the black women’s rights movement.

            Purpose and Educational Significance: This novel is solidly grounded in both feminist and race theory. I would want the class to discuss in depth the scene where Sethe is milked and the effect this has on her husband. I think that a big facet of feminist theory is acknowledging the often overlooked feelings, reactions, ect of men and this would be a good jumping point to discuss how society often forces them to suppress themselves, which is what led to Halle going mad. This discussion can be continued as Beloved’s influence over Paul D unfolds.

                In light of the feminist theory, I would want to discuss the moral implications of Sethe’s choice to kill Beloved rather than allow her to return to slavery. It occurred only 28 days after escaping, was she in a sound frame of mind? Do you think she made the right choice? Furthermore, I want to know if my students believe if women have more power in groups. In the novel, Beloved can only be exorcised when a large group of women from the community come to help; the women in 124 cannot do it alone. Do my students think this is a commentary on women’s power?

                These questions are just some of the larger ones Beloved raises, and I would certainly want a day of class-led discussions.

                

Beloved, Sethe, and Denver from the movie adaptation

To read a critic discussing the genre of the apocalypse in Beloved, which would be useful for the students to read why horror stories such as these are necessary, click here.

                For a map of how the characters are related, click here.

                For a biography on Toni Morrison, click here. Since Morrison is an important name in the field, it is critical to get a sense of who she is.

                For a discussion on women in Beloved, click here.

                For a discussion on symbolism, click here.

                A discussion on themes can be found here.

                A helpful glossary for students can be found here.

                Essay Questions can be found here.

                Potential projects can be found here.

Toni Morrison