Beloved

Morrison’s “Beloved” has so far been a story of a freed slave woman, Sethe, her living daughter Denver, Paul D, and the ghost of her first born child who was violently murdered.  Thus far, it’s been clear the lead character; Sethe has had many struggles in her life, including many deaths and fights to control her memories from the past.

            The story reveals and explores the various ways that Sethe, Baby Suggs, and Paul D all hide or deal with their pasts and memories, which all seem to be different.   Paul D for examples repeats to Sethe the “dangers for a n ex-slave to love anything too much” so that there be “enough love for the next person after the first is taken away.”  It is made clear that Paul D has gone through lots as a slave as well, and that he has chosen to deal with his emotions differently than Sethe, who later takes in the mysterious “beloved” and quickly grows fond of her.  Even Ella Denver, a white woman who helps Sethe escape and give birth, agrees with Paul D’s mind set of love and memory.      

The first sign of any hope and enjoyment from Sethe and Denver comes when Paul D takes them to the town carnival.  In these scenes, Denver is acknowledged as a normal girl among the other children, and is not outcast for living in a ghost house.  Paul D also makes it a point to help Sethe be more social as well.  As they walk home from the carnival, some foreshadowing is displayed with the overlaying shadows of Sethe and Paul D, which give her hope of good fortune in the future.  This hope is quickly questioned when “Beloved” is found laying out in front of their house.