Directions: Same format as the last blog. Read pages 52-74. Next, analyze the following moments. Notice the juxtaposition. How does each “symbol” build on the next? In your blog response, discuss how the text works to create meaning. What is meaningful about the shift itself, for example? Choose a 1-3 below to explore, and use direct evidence from the text in your response. As a class, try to mix it up, so we can cover the list as a class. Respond to each other. Be bold. Brilliant.
- Risky, thought Paul D (pg. 54)
- “If I have to choose – well it’s not even a choice” (pg. 54)
- A life (pg. 55)
- They were not holding hands but their shadows were. (pg. 56)
- Roses (pg. 57)
- White people loose (pg. 57)
- Paul D., Sethe, Denver and “although leading them now, the shadows of three people still held hands (pg. 58)
- A fully dressed woman walked out of the water (pg 60).
- Sethe’s emergency” (pg. 61)
- Beloved – list her traits - things she does - What does she notice? Say? (pg. 62).
- Denver and Beloved – How has Denver changed? (pgs. 62-66)
- “Something funny about that gal” (pg. 67)
- Beloved could not take her eyes off Sethe (pg. 68)
- Their two shadows clashed on the ceiling (pg. 68)
- Where are your diamonds? (pg. 69)
- Sethe’s answer (pgs. 69-71)
- Your woman she never fixed up your hair? (pg. 72)
- Sethe’s answer (pgs 72-75)
- How did she know? (pg. 75)
Denver’s yearning for love and companionship is evident in her fixation with Beloved. She “looked at this sleepy beauty and wanted more” to make up for all that she had missed the past eighteen years without Beloved (63). She obsesses over her “out of love” and a “breakness possessiveness that had charged her” (64). This possessiveness is divisive in her relationship with her mother, as she seeks to develop a bond with Beloved that her mother cannot compete with. This leads Sethe to finally accept that Denver was “lonesome” (65). Denver is in denial that Beloved is sick, because it is an ailment that has the potential to be life-threatening, but that Denver has control over and can understand, unlike Beloved’s unknown cause of death at the hand of another as a baby. Beloved’s state endows Denver with a “patience” she “had never known,” for she now has a purpose in her world (65). Her sense of identity is consumed by Beloved, as she is now quick to be “deceptive” for Beloved’s sake, and thereby the sake of her own sanity (67). She is overjoyed that the supernatural elements of her life have become tangible reality, and no longer finds it necessary to retreat to the “emerald closet” (66). At the same time, she must embrace that the supernatural has become reality, and consequently rejects the familiar aspects of her life. She knows that “Here Boy...won’t be back,” for Beloved has replaced him (66). Beloved has replaced Sethe as the center focus of Denver’s life, just as Sethe now has Paul D to confide in instead of Denver. This is a key turning point in Denver’s growth into adulthood.
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ReplyDeletesymbols I chose to explore:
ReplyDeleteThey were not holding hands but their shadows were. (pg. 56)
Sethe’s emergency” (pg. 61)
“Something funny about that gal” (pg. 67)
As she walks with Paul D and Denver, Sethe notices that they "were not holding hands, but their shadows were." This was a very important part of the book for what I feel like is a lot of reasons. Even though the three people have not come together as a family and are isolated and lonely, there is hope that they can be together because their shadows are together. The image symbolizes unity and cohesiveness, and foreshadows that perhaps Sethe and Denver, with Paul D., might one day become a family. This portion of the book represents hope and happiness, but one that will not last long.
There is a powerful shift between this and what comes next. The following symbol is not one that represents hope and cohesiveness, but rather something much more deep and dark. This hope is shattered when they return to the house and see Beloved. Sethe's need to urinate is like a woman's water breaking when she is about to deliver a baby, and so Beloved becomes like a child to her. It is really amazing how Morrison can take such an obscure scene, like this scene where Sethe suddenly feels the intense need to urinate, that would usually seem so out of place and awkward in a novel, and make it fit into the context perfectly.
There is another interesting shift that is interesting to compare to the shadows holding hands. While it looked as if there, Paul D. seemed to be growing on Denver, that seems to be lost in this next important part of the text. Paul D. begins to become wary of Beloved, and thinks that something is just not quite right. He tells Sethe about the time he saw Beloved lift the rocking chair with one hand even though Beloved goes around looking weak all the time. Denver saw it, too, but lies to Sethe and said she knows no such thing. Morrison creates an image for us that shows just how Paul D and Denver are shut out from each other from this point on. It’s kind of unknown why Denver is taking such a liking to the girl, Beloved, but the reader can assume maybe it has something to do with the constant yearning she’s been having for more interaction with people.
Paul D asks Sethe if she wants to have him move in with her and possibly have a life together, but Sethe is hesitant to commit to anything. She reminds him that if she has to choose between loving Paul D and her daughter Denver then “it’s not even a choice” that she would choose Denver over him (54). She is hesitant to commit to loving another person when she has only loved one person, Denver, for the past eighteen years. Sethe feels like she can only love one person at once, something that Paul D believes to be dangerous. He thinks it’s “very risky for a used-to-be-slave woman to love anything” as much as she loves Denver. He is wary of people who used to be slaves loving their children too much and thinks they should “love just a little bit, so when they broke its back, well maybe you’d have a little love leftover for the next one” (54). Because of his experience as a slave, Paul D is distrustful, and rightly so, because it is not uncommon for parents who were slaves to have their children sold or killed. Sethe was the only one of her siblings to survive and lost all but one of her own children. Sethe’s mother was forced to give up all of her children, except for Sethe, and leave them to die “without names”(74). Earlier in the story, there is a point where Baby Suggs tells Sethe that she should be lucky that she has “three [children] pulling at [her] skirts” and only one is dead (6). Experiences like this cause Paul D to think that Sethe shouldn’t be loving one person so much so she doesn’t get hurt if anything were to happen to Denver. Paul D wants to start a life with Sethe and tells her that he isn’t asking her to choose between him and Denver but that there might be some space for her to love him as well. Although Sethe is hesitant, later in the day when the three of them are at the carnival, Sethe notices that “they were not holding hands, but their shadows were” and begins to think that they could have a life (56). The metaphor of the shadows holding hands could be a representation of how now Sethe isn’t quite ready to settle down with Paul D, but she will be in the future.
ReplyDeleteI like your analysis on the metaphor. It really gave me a better understanding of the situation
DeleteClearly, Sethe finds her past to be haunting her. Oftentimes, the horror of it is too intense for Sethe to feel like she can move on from it. After being introduced to Beloved, I began to view her as a symbol of Sethe's past. Moreover, she is a personified version of Sethe's repressed memories. First, I found it ironic how she arrived from the water, and later "leaned against a mulberry tree" (60.) Both water and trees have a connection to Sethe's past, where she had given birth to Denver on a boat and had a tree-like scar on her back. Here, there seems to be a contrast between these two images. While water reflects life and birth, trees may represent suffering and pain. This might suggest something about Beloved's character. Is she Sethe's child, reborn? Or is she still a spirit, set to make Sethe's life more miserable? Before Beloved was introduced, there was a description of the roses that may also hint at her character. It stated, "The closer the roses got to death, the louder their scent." (57.) Again, this might foreshadow who Beloved truly is. As time passes by, Beloved's effect on Sethe and Denver seems to grow. Now, it may have manifested itself into something physical--that being, the Beloved who had just arrived. Another example of Beloved representing Sethe's past are her questions. The only times Beloved speaks is when she asks Sethe of her past. For instance, she questions, "'Where your diamonds?'" (69.) This leads Sethe to discover that her memories are "a way to feed her (Beloved)" (69), though "everything in it was painful or lost" (69) to her. In a way, Beloved may be trying to get Sethe to focus more on these memories. No matter how hard she tries to repress them, they now seem to be growing stronger.
ReplyDeleteI think your last sentence is really powerful, and very true.
DeleteI like how you interpreted Beloved as "a personified version of Sethe's repressed memories"
DeleteIt's interesting how you drew connections between Beloved's rebirth and common symbols throughout the book. I agree with your interpretation of the water symbolizing birth as well as the tree having a negative connotation at multiple points.
DeleteThe arrival of Beloved completely changes the dynamic between Denver and Sethe, along with Sethe and Paul D. Sethe also opens up about herself for the first time that she can remember when telling Beloved about the stories of her past. When the trio first found Beloved and questioned her about her name and her history, Denver and Sethe immediately were taken aback by the similarities of her and their baby that had died many years prior. One thing that I noticed Toni Morrison doing is using the word daughter much more than she had, after Beloved showed up. After having a conversation with Denver, “Sethe looked at her daughter and thought, Yes, she has been very lonesome. Very lonesome.” (65) At first glance, the reader might assume that Sethe was talking about Denver, because that was her daughter. Yet at the same time, Beloved was also her daughter, and there had been previous mentions about how lonely Beloved must have been after she died. Because Sethe feels this unconscious connection to Beloved, it is also very easy for her to tell her stories from her past that she has not even told Denver. After just being at the house for four days, Beloved asked Sethe, “where are your diamonds?” (69) Without second thought, Sethe relieved her marriage to Halle, and when Mrs. Garner gave them to her. Denver, who was sitting there listening to the conversation was thoroughly confused, because she had never heard of her mother wearing diamond earrings. It took until the end of the conversation for Denver to finally ask herself, “Where your diamonds?’ ‘Your woman she never fix up your hair?’ And the most perplexing: ‘Tell me your earrings,’ How did she know?” (75) Denver finally puts together the pieces that Beloved might not be the innocent girl they all thought she was.
ReplyDeleteI love how you noticed the connection between when she does pick and chooses to use the word "daughter". I feel as if Beloved gets special treatment as if she were younger than Denver, but that's not the case, she's actually said to be nineteen or twenty. It's interesting how different the relationships are between Sethe and Denver, as well as Sethe and Beloved - but in the end Sethe still loves because she believes it's "not a choice".
DeleteThank you for picking up on Sethe mentioning the word "daughter" more than she did before. This is something I missed and it definitely adds a different dynamic to the relationships between Sethe, Denver and Beloved. My blog was focused on the same concept of how this trio's dynamic is developing and reading your post helped me understand this better!
DeleteDuring their time together at the carnival, it finally appeared as though good things were coming to the residents of 124. Paul D, Sethe, and Denver “were not holding hands, but their shadows were (56).” This is a symbol for the growing family ties between the three of them as well as their hope for a bright future. Denver was finally warming up to Paul D and “was swaying with delight (59),” after their outing together. Sethe saw the shadows as “a good sign. A life. Could be (57),” as she was beginning to picture a life for the three of them together and was even able to feel more at ease with her past when she was around Paul D.
ReplyDeleteHowever, after the sudden arrival of Beloved, things started to change and chaos returned to 124. Although it isn’t specified exactly what she is, Beloved is some sort of manifestation of Sethe’s dead child. This is apparent because of signs such as Sethe’s feeling that her water was breaking, the disappearance of Home Boy who was injured during one of Beloved’s past tantrums, Beloved’s knowledge of things such as Sethe’s diamond earrings, and the supernatural strength that Paul D and supposedly Denver notice. After her arrival, Sethe’s and Beloved’s “shadows clashed and crossed on the ceiling like black swords (68).” This is a sharp contrast to the previous chapter where there was a happy image of shadows holding hands, and it the start of a drastic shift from peace to unrest. Suddenly, Denver and Paul D do not get along anymore as Denver lies to Sethe about Paul D witnessing Beloved pick up a rocking chair. Beloved’s presence also makes some of Sethe’s more disturbing memories resurface, such as the memory of her own mother’s hanging.
I agree that the presence of Beloved has had some obvious changes to everyone particularly Sethe. I wonder why she tells Beloved everything so easily, if perhaps it has something to do with Beloveds influence on her.
DeleteThis section of the text is the least disturbing of the entire book, however mixed in are hints and potential warnings of the horrific nature of the rest of the text. The section opens with Paul D’s caution that it is “very risky, [f]or a used-to-be-slave woman to love anything that much [is] dangerous, especially if it was her children she had settled to love.” (54) Yet, Sethe conunitously allows herself to fall into the comfortable structure of a family, first with the acceptance of Paul D into her life. Then, unbenounced to her, she regains her murdered daughter, who she still takes under her wing. The relationships Sethe forms with Beloved and Denver are ironic, in that she feels a fierce matronly protection for Denver one might reserve for a child, but enjoys a more mature and removed mentorship role with Beloved, even though she is in fact the child who is more overtly dependant. Beloved seems to have keep memories from before her murder, such as Sethe’s earrings, and similar to Denver has not progressed much emotionally, maintaining a strong bond and admiration for her mother. However, she seems to have picked up a certain level of maturity with her haunting. Denver has also taken on a version of the classic older sibling who aims to care for and protect her younger sister. There does exist some tension between Paul D and Denver and Beloved, however this is understandable considering he is technically the newest addition to the family. This structure, while unconventional, seems happy and stable, as is the progress Beloved is making with Sethe by asking her to recount stories. This mood was abruptly cut short with the triggering of Sethe’s memory of her own mother hanged, and the knowledge that she had killed her numerous children from her white slave-traders. It would seem this disturbing vision and Paul D’s wisdom are warnings of things to come that may obliterate the life Sethe is building, and if it is anything like the rest of the book it will be horrific and depressing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, we all know that something worse is to come. The hints you point out are really insightful.
DeleteAs we’ve seen in Beloved so far, Sethe is not the type of person to get comfortable easily. She has experienced many horrific things in her lifetime from her time at Sweet Home to her treacherous journey to Ohio. Though now she does get to experience a slight sense of calm she has not forgotten her past. Paul D has begun to lull her into a quiet domestic life painting pictures of “a life” (55) for her and Denver. One that she never able to get with Halle. Though they had their wedding and as she describes her “honeymoon: going down to the cornfield” (71), they were never able to settle down. She’s haunted by school teacher and her experiences, now left with the chokecherry tree spreading across her back stopping her from ever forgetting. Now, what Paul D is offering to her is something that could help them bring a sense of normalcy to their lives. Even Denver seems as though she needs this. When they visit the carnival and “they were not holding hands but their shadows were” (56) which symbolizes their connection to one another. In a less metaphorical sense they get to feel more connected as Denver gets to experience a life outside of 124. She got to experience being “surrounded by a crowd of people who did not find her the main attraction, who, in fact, said ‘Hey, Denver’ every now and then, pleased enough to consider the possibility that Paul D wasn’t all that bad” (58). With the addition of Beloved she changes even more, transitioning into being able to love someone, and feel a part of a family. They all have started to transition into a normal family, laying low before as we can all see something worse is coming to reach the climax of the story.
ReplyDeleteI like how you touched upon Sethe's transition as a person rather than just her actions.
DeleteI agree that the addition of Beloved has definitely shifted the dynamic of their family and how Sethe has becoming more comfortable with herself and her past because of this. I also agree with you that it seems like we are experiencing the calm in the storm before something erupts this calmness.
DeleteAlthough Sethe is conservative about sharing her past with Denver, the pesky question of “Where are your diamonds?” (69) is okay coming from Beloved. Sethe responds to this question by telling a story from her past time at Sweet Home. This is a shift from when she talks to Denver, because she does not have that protective edge of a fearful mother. Instead, of using the short replies she uses with Denver, Sethe tells Beloved all about her wedding dress and the cornfield and even her mother. Denver may know the basics, but the only grandmother she knew or had heard about was Baby Suggs from her father’s side, not Sethe’s. This may be because of “...Beloved’s distance from the events itself, or her thirst for hearing it-in any case it was an unexpected pleasure.” (69) Beloved breaks the wall Sethe has had in place ever since “...She and Baby Suggs had agreed without saying so that it was unspeakable” (69) to speak about her past because of the pain she had faced. The earrings became a symbol of her past, in that she did not have them now. Sethe goes through the entire story without realizing Beloved had no way of knowing that specific symbol. She had not talked about it or worn them, so it leaves Sethe with the question, “How did she know?” (75)
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up a really interesting point about the difference between when Beloved asks Sethe something and when Denver asks Sethe something. Even though she is a stranger to them, she is okay answering Beloved's questions and not Denver's. This says a lot about Sethe's relationship with Denver, that there is this separation between them where she doesn't feel comfortable sharing her past with Denver.
DeleteWhile Sethe and Denver’s relationship was certainly troubled from the beginning of the novel, the arrival of Beloved only further upsets an already difficult dynamic. From the moment Beloved, “walked out of the water,” (60) there was a great shift in the tone of the work; it went from the semi-lightheartedness of the previous chapter to an increasingly mysterious tale. The intrigue is multiplied as soon as the strange woman shares her name with the group in a, “voice..so low and rough each one looked at the other two,”(62). In this particular shift, even the characters are fully aware of its magnitude. However, one of the most peculiar outcomes of this chapter are the differing relationships between Sethe and Beloved and Sethe and Denver. Denver is said to hate, “the stories her mother told her that did not concern herself,” (74) while Beloved is seen as taking, “every opportunity to ask some funny question and get Sethe going,” (74). Their contrasting thoughts on Sethe’s storytelling reveal a significant amount about each of their characters. Denver has been essentially isolated all of her life, meaning her character is severely underdeveloped due to minimal experiences in the outside world. Because of this, it may be assumed that she is grasping at straws for any semblance of what her true character and personality may be, thus her obsession with the story of her birth; it is largely the only piece of information that Denver is latching onto to mold her personality. Contrastingly, Beloved has presumably had a rather tumultuous and untraditional life experience. This may contribute to her love of stories from Sethe; she wants to latch onto anyone’s ‘normal’ life; she wants a life that has actual substance to it as opposed to one filled with confusion and darkness. Despite many similarities between Denver and Beloved, it seems as though their differing qualities will only be enhanced even further as the novel progresses.
ReplyDeleteI think you mentioned a lot of great points. Your description of thinking that Denver and Beloved will develop into differing characters was interesting to hear as I had thought the opposite. You also mentioned a lot of great points in describing the emotional atmosphere such as when Beloved speaks her name.
DeleteI found this section of the text rather ironic because although Beloved came back from the dead, she has brought so much life into 124. Sethe has transformed since Beloved's return, becoming much more open about her past life. As Sethe realizes the interest she feels in Beloved's curiosity "It amazes Sethe because every mention of her past life hurt. Everything in it was pain or loss" (69). Denver has asked Sethe questions about her past life for years, yet Sethe has always been reluctant to respond until Belove's arrival. Although Denver has treated Beloved with great care, it is obvious a sense of jealousy is beginning to set in. This jealousy is portrayed as the narrator tells us that "Denver hated the stories her mother told that did not concern herself" (74). Adjusting to their new addition must be difficult for Denver due to her isolated past, although Sethe distancing from Denver simultaneously would make this even more difficult. I am intrigued to see how the relationship of this trio develops throughout the story and watch how Beloved physical presence in the house continues to shift the story.
ReplyDeleteI like how you compared Beloved to being both a symbol of life and death.
DeleteI loved your connection to Beloved coming back from the dead but bringing life back into the house. I never thought of it like that but it makes sense. I saw Beloved more as a symbol that represented the past and that now Sethe was finally facing her memories and is beginning to work through them.
DeleteAs the residents move beyond the walls of 124 to go to a carnival, there is an anticipation that can only come when it is your “first social outing in eighteen years” (56). Sethe feels the importance of the occasion and even dresses the part. Morrison creates a mood that is lighthearted as Sethe “returned smiles” and Denver “sway(ed) with delight” (59), but there is also a tense undercurrent. Denver, who “agreed to go – sullenly” to the carnival, was “soothed by sugar,” and eventually “pleased enough to consider the possibility that Paul D wasn’t all that bad” (58). Morrison encapsulates this fluid connection in a single moment when Sethe, Paul D and Denver leave the carnival and “the shadows of all three people still held hands” (59). The togetherness of the unit seems like a cozy shift in the group’s dynamics, but it is captured in a fleeting shadow, which is symbolic of the transitory nature of this newfound rapport.
ReplyDeleteMorrison immediately shifts gears and at the top of the very next page a “fully dressed women walk(s) out of the water” (60). The arrival of this mystery woman, Beloved, also marks the arrival of additional strain on the household. In fact, when Paul D comment’s that there is “something funny ‘bout (Beloved)” (67), he is challenged by Sethe. To make matters worse, Denver does not confirm Paul D’s tale about the rocking chair, and in that moment of betrayal, “had there been an open latch between them, it would have closed” (67). And with that, “the shadows of all three people” evaporate.
The shift in gear from progression to regression of the characters in the chapter was hard to cope with as a reader. It was like watching them take one step forward but then two steps back.
DeleteAs the book progresses, there seems to be some tension but at the same time a sense of trust growing between the family of 124. Sethe and Paul D’s sense of love vastly differs which could play a role in their bickers about how valuable something is to them; for Paul D he believes Sethe’s way to love is very “risky” as he only knew, “was to love a little bit… so when they broke its back… maybe you’d have a little love left over for the next one” (55). This possibly foreshadows issues for both individuals regarding loving someone too little or too much throughout the book. There’s a reoccuring color of red throughout the book, which red could be associated with love but other the hand, can be associated with danger. When they were going down the carnival there was a “stench of the rotten roses” (57). The rose has been associated with love and virtue in symbolic history - therefore indicating that this can be a start of a new life, and endless love that could follow. This could be contradicting though because during the beginning, when Paul D first entered 124 he walked “straight into a pool of red and undulating light that locked him where he stood” (11). Paul D felt the energy as if it were evil but Sethe reassures it’s “just sad”. This could symbolize danger in itself, which ties together well with the symbolism of roses that with a new life comes danger but that danger can be worth the risk.
ReplyDeleteI like how you examined the relationship of Sethe and Paul D, discussing the different symbols of what is to come for their future. It will be interesting to see what happens to their relationship now that Beloved is in the picture.
DeleteAs most other people mentioned, I think that in this section, the exposure of emotional interconnections adds to the psychological atmosphere the author illustrates. Beside the initial personification of the home with red light, descriptions in the latter seem to almost bring the ghost to be a character. Parallels drawn between Beloved and the ghost create a natural transition from the preexisting image formed in the readers mind into a new tangible character. The continued complexity and hesitancy experienced among interpersonal relations is also shown evidently, mainly through Paul D's tense conversations with Sethe.
ReplyDeleteBeloved appears to be born at the start of the chapter. First, with no name, “a fully dressed woman walked out of the water” (60), all of the sudden, to Denver, Paul D, and Sethe, smiling under a tree, wearing colors of mourning and only visible by this. As the woman who walked out of the water, she appeared like a newborn, developing over days and nights, cold to the world, neck needing support, “bending and her chin brushing a bit of lace edging her dress” (60). Emerging not only like a child but like ghost, coming from somewhere or nowhere out of the water, though seemingly without purpose, existing only to familiarize herself with surroundings. To Sethe when she first sees this woman, “there was no stopping water breaking from a breaking womb and there was no stopping now” (61). There is still water, an overwhelming amount, that before the birth of a baby, before the beginning of something, perhaps before the plans this woman might have in store if she really is Beloved. Still water from the stream, from Sethe’s bladder, from the birth of her many children. Water at the beginning- water is a beginning- of mysteries yet to be revealed to us.
ReplyDeleteThe reality of this situation is unanswered, instead lingering in the unexplainable, seemingly unliving, endless, as Morrison describes Beloved’s entrance. She is seen in her entirety, physical, if not without some disconcerting appearances. Her gravelly voice contrasting her childlike features, with “good lace at the throat” (62) where she was last murdered. The childlike Beloved, aged beyond her years in voice and perhaps the several lines that accompany her new skin. She again desires water, to return from the water she grew from. There is a lingering thirst in these pages, a want on the verge of being satisfied. Beloved has plans and this is where they begin.
I really like your line, "There is a lingering thirst in these pages, a want on the verge of being satisfied." Beloved has a purpose for her presence and it will be interesting to see what that is and how her relationship with Sethe will develop.
DeleteI agree with the comment Delia made above, that is a really great line.
DeleteFrom the second Beloved, “A fully dressed woman walked out of the water” (pg 60), there are aspects to her that make her seem suspicious. She somehow makes her way to 124 without people seeing or noticing her. She dares to go to 124 even though it is haunted and secluded as no one wants to go down there. For some reason, when Sethe arrives home after the carnival, she suddenly has an emergency and can’t hold it. This could be due to the presence of something that makes her nervous, but she just doesn’t know it yet. In addition, although Denver has been lonely her whole life, she seems to really latch on to Beloved and Beloved seems to reciprocate those actions. They both have never met, yet they become inseparable. Paul D. says something is wrong with Beloved because he saw her lift a chair with one arm when she was acting weak, so she tells Sethe. Sethe doesn’t believe him and calls Denver in. Because this is the first time that Denver has really had someone new to talk to and be friends with, Denver denies seeing Beloved lift the chair. Although Denver thinks that she and Beloved have a friendship, it could be just an act, as it seems that she has been acting being weak all along. Beloved also seems to know more than she is supposed to. Although they are all new to each other, Beloved asked where Sethe’s diamonds are (pg 69). Denver finally saw a sign that Beloved was suspicious, as she realized that there was no way that she could have known to ask about the diamonds. Through Beloved’s actions, Denver eventually sees through her act, and starts to question her.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that Beloved's character seems slightly suspicious. Why would she want to go to 124 when it is known to be haunted? Could it be because she has been there in spirit the whole time? I also find it strange that Denver's character takes a complete 180. She goes from not conversing with anyone to latching right on to Beloved and becoming incredibly protective of her.
DeleteBeloved’s presence throughout these two chapters stood out to me more than anything. I found it ironic that despite how little Beloved was physically present-- “Four days she slept, waking and sitting up only for water… Beloved lay dreamy-eyed for a very long time, saying nothing, licking her lips and heaving deep sighs” (64-5)-- she had a large impact on the mentality and overall environment of the 124 household. This is reflective of how Sethe’s life is continuously impacted by her past. No matter how hard Sethe tries to repress her past, Beloved is there to remind her of the darkest times of her life. This is evident on page 69 when Beloved asks Sethe “Where are your diamonds?” This question forces Sethe to think back to her life at Sweet Home. Beloved also has the great effect on Denver. Their relationship seems to grow very steadily throughout their chapters, in contrast to the fading relationship between Paul D and Denver. In fact, it seems as though Denver spends more time with Beloved than anyone and “tended her, watched her sound sleep, [and] listened to her labored breathing” (64). From Sethe perspective, their strong bond is due to the fact that Denver has been lonely and craves human interaction. It is concerning to me how close Denver and Beloved are becoming because I believe that their relationship will eventually tear Denver apart from her mother.
ReplyDeleteI really like your analysis on how Sethe's past is always following her. No matter how hard she tries, her past, in this case being Beloved, will always be there to remind her that she can never truly forget it. Rather than allowing her suppression of her life, you make a good point that Beloved makes her share parts of her life that she never would have otherwise.
DeleteThis section of the book primarily focuses on the profound impact of the living Beloved on the residents of 124. Prior to her arrival, Sethe was immensely haunted by the memories of her past, and she had trouble disclosing her private information. By keeping her thoughts enclosed, she thought that she will kill the memories, but in reality, they have been troubling her. However, within a few days of Beloved’s arrival, Beloved forms an immediate bond with Sethe. She even asks Sethe “where are your diamonds?”(69), and for the first time in the novel, Sethe opens up about her past. She breaks down her marriage to Halle and when Mrs.Garner was there. Sethe’s relationship with Beloved is quite different from her relationship with Denver, as Sethe has always tried to protect Denver from her past. Whenever Denver was curious about something, Sethe would shield her from it, but the second Beloved questioned something, Sethe would immediately answer.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the arrival of Beloved did not only affect Sethe, but it also affected Paul D and Denver as well. We witness Denver becoming more deceptive and Morrison describes “Denver’s eyes seem busier than they were; they were; deceptive, even when she held a steady gaze”(67). This also causes Paul D and Dever to not get along as much, and Denver even lies to Sethe.
Rishi Srinivasan
DeleteThis section of the book primarily focuses on the profound impact of the living Beloved on the residents of 124. Prior to her arrival, Sethe was immensely haunted by the memories of her past, and she had trouble disclosing her private information. By keeping her thoughts enclosed, she thought that she will kill the memories, but in reality, they have been troubling her. However, within a few days of Beloved’s arrival, Beloved forms an immediate bond with Sethe. She even asks Sethe “where are your diamonds?”(69), and for the first time in the novel, Sethe opens up about her past. She breaks down her marriage to Halle and when Mrs.Garner was there. Sethe’s relationship with Beloved is quite different from her relationship with Denver, as Sethe has always tried to protect Denver from her past. Whenever Denver was curious about something, Sethe would shield her from it, but the second Beloved questioned something, Sethe would immediately answer.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the arrival of Beloved did not only affect Sethe, but it also affected Paul D and Denver as well. We witness Denver becoming more deceptive and Morrison describes “Denver’s eyes seem busier than they were; they were; deceptive, even when she held a steady gaze”(67). This also causes Paul D and Dever to not get along as much, and Denver even lies to Sethe.
It becomes evident in this section of the reading that Sethe has repressed the memory of Beloved so deeply that she is unable to make the connection between the mysterious woman born from water and her dead daughter. At the same time Denver, Paul D, and Sethe turned the corner of 124, Sethe had to pee so badly that she couldn’t make it to the outhouse, “Right in front of the door she had to lift her skirts, and the water she voided was endless. Like a horse she thought, but as it went on and on she thought, No, more like flooding the boat when Denver was born” (61). She makes the connection of it feeling as though her water was breaking and then suddenly a mysterious figure with baby like skin shows up at 124. Denver is excited, understanding the significance of this event, while Paul D and Sethe don’t give it a second thought. Paul D from his arrival has commented on how the baby ghost must want something, and this is it. Paul D had just kicked the spirit out, but now she has returned in human form, showing that she can not be ignored. He even questions her ailments, “acts sick, sounds sick, but she don’t look sick. Good skin, bright eyes and strong as a bull” (67). He knows that something is going on, but isn’t quite sure what.
ReplyDeleteSethe and Denver’s distant relationship is furthered examined in this section as well. Sethe tells Denver little about her past, only ever telling the story of Denver’s birth, but Beloved has the ability to open Sethe up to reveal parts about her past. She asks about the diamonds, Sethe ignoring the obvious question of how she knew about her diamonds, but Sethe answers without hesitation. She even talks about her mother, Denver knowing none of this, letting herself revisit a time of pain. Denver tries to interrupt their conversation, “I never saw you in no earrings” (71), but Sethe briefly acknowledges how Denver wouldn’t understand. Denver is the only one who isn’t under a trance, being able to ask the burning questions and conceptualize all that is going on, “Denver noticed how greedy she was to hear Sethe talk. Now she noticed something more. The questions beloved asked… How did she know? (75). It seems as though Denver went from being excited about Beloved’s return, to having envious feelings towards her pull on Sethe.
“Where your diamonds?” This simple question asked by Beloved proves to be the start of an awakening for Sethe. She remembers the crystal earrings given to her by Mrs. Garner for her wedding. She then begins to recount memories of her mother and her death while at Sweet Home. It is revealed that Sethe’s mother was hung. Sharing the painful memories with Denver is in stark contrast to the answers she gives to Denver. Morrison tells us that “to Denver’s inquires she [Sethe] gave short replies or rambling incomplete reveries” (69). But we find out she sits for hours with Beloved and spills the dark truths of her past. This is especially strange because Sethe won’t even open up to Paul D, someone who also experienced life at Sweet Home.
ReplyDeleteAnother contrast between Sethe and Denver is the relationships they have between their own mothers. Sethe is extremely controlling and protecting over Denver. Whereas we learn that Sethe and her mother “never even slept in the same cabin most nights” (72). We also learn that Sethe “sucked from another woman whose job it was” (72). Although this was common on plantations, it shows how Sethe really had no meaningful relationship with her own mother. Breastfeeding is an incredibly intimate act and creates one of the first bonds between a mother and her child- one that was never fostered between Sethe and her mother. The lack of a relationship between Sethe and her mother is probably cause for the overprotectiveness Sethe displays towards Denver.
In the reading, I really liked the symbolism behind Paul D, Sethe, and Denver “not holding hands, but their shadows were.” This shows foreshadowing for a hopeful future. It is interesting to me that all throughout this scene there were frequent mentions of dead roses in the mud, followed by the reappearance of Beloved in human form. Sethe coming to the realization that her memories are "a way to feed her [Beloved] (69)” makes me wonder if she can ever truly be happy in the novel. While earlier at the carnival the symbolism of shadows was positive, after Beloved’s reappearance, “shadows clashed and crossed on the ceiling like black swords (68).” This alters the symbolism of the shadows, tainting them. Beloved has done this before with the colors red and the white dress, so it’s interesting to see if all happy symbols will be corrupted by her ghost. Before Paul D arrived, she was still haunted by her past and Beloved. Though Paul D currently makes her and Denver happier, their togetherness provokes bad memories and more tangible appearances of Beloved. This seems to be a recipe to disaster, leading up to the collapse of the life they created.
ReplyDeleteI really like your interpretation of the shadows, it's very positive compared to the darkness often present in the story. You also show strong contrast with the other imagery in the chapter.
DeleteI had thought about all these elements of the shadows, roses, dress, and the ever changing relationships separately. The way you tied them together though showed a whole other level of understanding and was really eye opening to me. You also used great evidence from the text to support!
DeleteThe symbolism of the red roses were something that intrigued me. As Sethe, Denver, and Paul D walk past the roses on the way to the carnival they are on top of the world, “He said Howdy to everybody within twenty feet. Made fun of the weather and what it was doing to him, yelled back at the crows, and was the first to smell the doomed roses.” The dead roses foreshadow bad things to come for the family. “Up and down the lumberyard fence old roses were dying.” Toni Morrison continues subtly inserting this idea of dying roses to represent death, as that is what roses symbolize. “The closer the roses got to death.” Roses also symbolize love, therefore a dying rose does not mean good things to come for the relationship of Sethe and Paul D. The bad omen comes to life when they return from the carnival only to be greeted by the return of Beloved.
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