Going beyond what we would ever imagine

In my readings of Toni Morrison’s Beloved, I have found that the theme of loss of identity, complements the theory that the experiences we have in the past can not be forgotten. Morrison uses symbolism to not only replicate instances from a character’s past, but apply it to the present storyline. 

"eMotion" Chris Louie 2015(tm)

Any form of stimulus that would remind a character of their past as a slave is portrayed in a way that brings a sort of depth to the raw emotions that are conveyed in Beloved. For instance, when Paul D has intercourse with Sethe in the first chapter, they were both reminded of their lives as slaves at Sweet Home. The implication of being a slave bring both physical and mental torture to Paul D and Sethe. 


Despite the fact that her immaturity is apparent throughout the first part of the book, Beloved galvanized Paul D in a way that makes him look past his “tobacco tin” heart, in order for him to realize how to love again. And although Paul D has a contemptuous mindset towards Beloved, he surrenders his free will--almost as if he was forced to be vulnerable in that situation. Morrison uses this instance to identify gender roles in a slavery-burdened society. But instead she portrays Beloved as the perpetrator, and Paul D as the victim in the situation. In our society, we associate as men being the typical perpetrator, and women as the victims in situations like the one in the book.

In Morrison’s writing, she tends to twist positive symbols into something almost sinister and paradoxical. And by doing this she can capture the raw emotion of what slaves had once experienced, and create a different interpretation of society that contrasts our present day society. This can be seen in the first instances of the book where Beloved first comes to Sweet Home and involves herself with Sethe and Denver. When Beloved first arrives at Sweet Home, she is portrayed as a “fair-skinned” girl, that acts very childish despite her age. In addition to her childish attitude, Beloved shows many signs of immaturity, and or challenged behavioral qualities. Morrison adjusts the standard interpretation of a character that is fair-skinned and wearing all white. For instance, in common literature, the reader would associate the color white with purity, hygiene, clarity, sophistication, etc. With that in mind, when we read about Beloved, Morrison questions society's common belief, and makes these associations throughout the book.