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)
A mysterious figure that is later found to be a woman emerges from the water. It is unclear where she came from, who she is, or even her background. All that is known is that her name is Beloved. Although she recently is introduced in the book, she has already made an impact on both Seth and Denver's life. It is Denver that tends to her in an attempt to nurse back into good health. Her dedication was so sincere that often "she forgot to ear or visit the emerald closet" The opportunity to do something good for someone as well have company is presented to her. Even Sethe, her own mother, states that Denver had "been lonesome. Very lonesome." Denver is finally able to have something of her own and be able to make an impact on someone's life. On the other hand Beloved intitates Sethe memories of the past to resurface. Because Beloved had "a profound satisfaction" from Sethe's stories, Sethe begins to increasingly open. She begun to have an "unexpected pleasure" from storytelling which is surprising due to the fact that "She and Baby Sugar had agreed without saying that it was unspeakable." The presence and the want to comfort someone is what prompts both Sethe and Denver into providing care for Beloved. In the process they too are both provided the feeling of comfort.
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point of showing how great of an impact Beloved has on the residents of 124. She brings out sides to the girls that otherwise were not seen. Denver now has company and Sethe's stories are no longer bottled up. I liked how you described how its not only Sethe and Denver supporting Beloved, but also Beloved is comforting the mother and daughter. I hadn't thought of that before.
Delete“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” (Abraham Lincoln)
ReplyDeleteRoses are beautiful, but deadly because of the thorns that line their stems. This kind of relationship between the two neutralises across a fine line between beauty and danger; therefore if one does not watch where they put their fingers, one could get cut and bleed. In Beloved and the roses, "Up and down the lumberyard fence old roses were dying ... The closer the roses got to death, the louder their scent, and everybody who attended the carnival associated it with the stench of the rotten roses." represents the uncertainty of life that the three (Denver, Sethe and Paul D. respectfully) create together. As the nature of relationships is [as cliché as it is, a two-way street] - with enough care, they like roses can grow and blossom, while if neglected, they can wither away and cease to exist.
I think using roses as a metaphor for their futures is very clever! I also really liked how you were able to tie in an outside quotation to strengthen your analysis. I agree that with effort and care, all four characters can learn to coexist peacefully under one roof. However, if Beloved and Paul D can't learn to get along (a power struggle between the past and the future) they will never have the family that they dream of.
DeleteAs the novel progresses, we continue to gain a better insight into Denver’s character. Chapter 4 starts off with Denver’s continuous cold attitude toward Paul D, asking him “how long he was gonna stay around” (52). This noticeably hurts Paul D, further showing the state of their relationship. It seems as if Denver will never warm up to Paul D, despite Sethe’s wish that she would. However, the day of the carnival turned things around. Denver expects nothing out of the carnival, apprehensive of even going. But as she witnesses the way the community seemed to like Paul D and in return, finally notice her and Sethe, she began to “consider the possibility that Paul D wasn't all that bad” (58). This seems like a turning point, as Paul D is a significant person to Sethe. Sethe would do anything for her daughter, as seen by her earlier statement, “if I have to choose-well, it’s not even a choice” (54). The relationship between these three characters is complicated, but it seems as time goes on, they are coming to understand one another better. Another thing revealed about Denver’s character in this section was seen through her interaction with Beloved. As Beloved was recovering, Denver “tended to her” throughout each day, highlighting her already strong attachment to the girl (64). Denver is possessive over her, doing everything she can to bring her back to health. This conveys her perpetual loneliness that has been evident throughout the novel. This even becomes aware to Sethe herself. Denver has suffered from loneliness most of her life and now two new people, Paul D and Beloved, have entered her home, and in return, her life. The way she responds to both of them reveals a lot about who she is and her character. As Beloved continues to live with them, it will be interesting to see how Denver’s relationship with her and the people around her change.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you were able to talk about four characters and the relationships between them. I agree that Denver made a lot of progress throughout this section, becoming more open to Paul D and life in general. Loneliness can do great damage. I hope as the story continues Denver will be able to use Paul D as an example of someone living a full life and strive to live one too.
DeleteI was very drawn to how similar our blog posts were! We both talked about Denver's relationships with those around her, however, we focused on different parts of the timeline. I agree that the carnival outing transformed Denver's perspective into an open mind, but it was Beloved's entrance that quickly put a stop to the progress. Both Paul D and Denver notice this and an underlying conflict grows. What also slightly differs from our responses is that you had mentioned the relationship between Denver and her mother— your quotes described a moment where Sethe illustrated her protectiveness over her daughter, which inadvertently suggests their "close" relationship. We learn that this is not the case moving throughout the novel, when Sethe allows Beloved to stay to keep Denver company. I am very interested to see how this will influence Paul's relationship with Sethe and Denver, and how that will play out in the rest of the novel.
DeleteI talked about this in my last blog, but what really stands out to me is the contrast of the past and the future. Paul D represents the future while Beloved represents the past. When going to the circus, “Paul D made a few acquaintances; spoke to them about what work he might find. Sethe returned the smiles she got. Denver was swaying with delight. And on the way home, although leading them now, the shadows of three people still held hands” (59). There are hints at a future between Sethe, Paul D, and Denver. Paul D wants a future. He wants to stick around, find a job. To do so, he gets rid of Beloved, the past that haunts Sethe and Denver. But Beloved comes back. A woman comes into their life. She is the age Beloved would be if she was still alive (19 or 20). When the three arrived back at the house, “all they saw was a black dress, two unlaced shoes below it, and here boy nowhere in sight” (61). The black dress, which at first appeared to be empty, is like the white dress that was kneeling next to Sethe while she was praying. The absence of Here Boy is also important, “winter, summer, drizzle or dry, nothing could persuade him to enter the house again” (14). Beloved scares Here Boy away from 124. While Paul D avoids the past whenever possible, dismissing any memories before they form, Beloved is very interested in learning about the past. “Sethe learned the profound satisfaction Beloved got from storytelling. It amazed Sethe (as much as it pleased Beloved) because every mention of her past life hurt...but as she began telling about the earrings, she found herself wanting to, liking it” (69). I’m wondering if it is better to embrace the past or the future? So far, Sethe has been doing neither, living only in the present. I’m not sure which is better. To look to the future while running from the past or to look to the past and pay no attention to the future? I think Sethe’s struggle with this is her main conflict in the book. It is interesting to see this conflict and the way Morrison portrays it.
ReplyDeleteI really like your analysis. You build up your case that Paul D. represents the future while Beloved represents the past with plenty of evidence from the book. In response to your question about whether it is better to look to the future, ignoring the past, or look to the past, ignoring the future, I am not sure either. However, I think Morrison (so far at least) is trying to say it is better to look to the future. Throughout the book, Morrison associates positive symbols with Paul D, and negative symbols with Beloved. One of these symbols, which I talked about in my post, is the shadow of Paul D. which holds hands with Sethe and Denver, while the shadow of Beloved, "clashed and crossed," with Sethe's shadow "like [a] black sword." In addition, the color black is routinely associated with Beloved, in the mention of the black sword, and also in the black dress she was wearing. Black is often a color associated with mourning and sadness. Finally, while Denver was nursing Beloved back to health, she often forgot to eat or go to the emerald closet. Based off class discussions, we have already established that the emerald closet is a good thing for Denver, and because of Beloved, Denver neglects both that and eating, which I think Morrison intended to be a hint that Beloved is a negative influence over Denver.
DeleteIn the second half of chapter 4, Paul D. takes them to a carnival. The chapter consists of the most joy we have seen in the book so far, with Denver and Sethe finally getting smiles from others due to Paul’s joy. As they leave, Denver notices that their shadows when they are walking home. She thinks to herself that “although leading them now, the shadows of three people still held hands” (pg. 58). To Denver, this symbolizes the hope for happiness that she has for the future. Dever has had a toubling childhood, living with the pain of her mother’s past. With Paul coming along and bringing this happiness, she realizes that there is a chance for her future to be better if Paul stays around. In the remaining chapters, Beloved comes for a visit. It is unclear whether she is a ghost or the spirit of Sethe’s daughter is inhabiting a person, but she has an unsettling presence on the house that hinders their budding happiness. Paul feels the most uncomfortable from Beloved’s presence, but Sethe and Denver take a strange sense of liking to her. Morrison points out how Sethe was “flattered by Beloved’s open, quiet devotion. The same adoration from her daughter (had it been forthcoming) would have annoyed her” (68). This is a strange thing for Sethe to think because she enjoys the attention from Beloved more so than she would from her living daughter, Denver. Although Sethe and Denver are both enjoying Beloved’s company, Beloved shows how Sethe suppressing her past is impossible. For example, one of Sethe’s memories resurfaces about Sethe’s mother.
ReplyDeleteThis is more of a hunch than anything, but I think that in Beloved, Morrison is talking to us through the shadows. At the carnival, the three shadows of Sethe, Paul D, and Denver were holding hands. Holding someone's hand is a signal of unity and support, and by having the shadows of Paul D, Sethe, and Denver hold hands, Morrison is hinting that Paul D. is a positive character. This makes sense in the context of the rest of the book, because Paul D. scares away the ghost when it starts attacking them, and gives Sethe a new hope for the future ("A life. Could be.") When Beloved steps into the scene, we are unsure how to feel about her. On the surface, Sethe and Denver both like her ("Sethe was flattered by Beloved's open, quiet devotion"; "Patience, something Denver had never known, overtook her"), and she helps Sethe open up about her past ("But, as she began telling about the earrings, she found herself wanting to, liking it...in any case it was an unexpected pleasure"). However as readers, we are disturbed by Beloved's uncanny resemblance to Sethe's dead daughter. We already know that the dead daughter's ghost has troubled them a lot in the past, and so we are unsure of whether or not we can trust this new character. I think Morrison finally gives us an answer to this when she says "their two shadows clashed and crossed on the ceiling like black swords." By doing so, I think Morrison is putting out a hidden clue that Beloved is actually a negative character. While Paul D. wants to help Sethe in her goal of achieving "a life," I think Morrison is showing that Beloved has opposing wishes, which are bound to clash with Sethe's. It will be interesting to see whether or not this theory holds up, and if it does, how the conflicting desires of Sethe/Paul D. and Beloved will play out.
ReplyDeleteI like your point about the shadows. In my blog I discussed a similar idea about unity. While shadows can represent internal struggles the characters are facing, the holding of the hands illustrates how Paul D, Sethe, and Denver are becoming more of a family. However, where does Beloved fit into this family? As a result, I agree that Beloved is a negative character. They were beginning to grow closer together and Paul D was having a positive influence on Sethe and Denver, but Beloved is going to disrupt the dynamics of the family.
DeleteWhether Beloved will turn out to be an completely negative character or not, I think her presence will definitely begin to cause tension and introduce new conflict in the story. There seems to already be unspoken competition between Beloved and Denver despite the fact that earlier they were bonded together when Beloved was stuck recovering in bed.
DeleteI liked that you brought up the tension between Beloved and Denver. I didn't think about this as much when I was reading, but now that you brought it up I am starting to see it in the phrases "Sethe was flattered by Beloved's open, quiet devotion. The same adoration from her daughter (had it been forthcoming) would have annoyed her," and "to Denver's inquiries Sethe gave short answers or rambling, incomplete reveries...Perhaps it was Beloved's distance from the events itself, or her thirst fro hearing it-in any case it was an unexpected pleasure." Sethe almost seems to be favoring Beloved in a way that she never has with Denver. It is interesting that with Paul D., Sethe outright told him, "If I have to choose-well, it's not even a choice," while with Beloved, she is much less defensive of Denver. Maybe this is symbolic of the 18 years Sethe has let her past affect her relationship with her daughter?
DeleteSethe struggles to overcome the pain of her past at “Sweet Home.” After escaping the plantation, she must discover her identity. After years of being controlled by another human being for you entire life, even a simple understanding of who you are can be a challenge. Therefore, when Paul D arrives at 124, Sethe discovers that she can have a future and begins to live a happier life.
ReplyDeleteAt first, Denver vociferates her disliking of Paul D. Even after Sethe apologizes for Denver’s altitude Paul D is not satisfied. While he wants to hear from Denver who is old enough to speak for herself, Sethe responds by saying that “‘I don't care what she is. Grown don't mean nothing to a mother. A child is a child. They get bigger, older, but grown? What's that supposed to mean? In my heart it don't mean a thing’” (54). If given the choice to choose Denver or Paul, Sethe would stand by her child.
After the brief argument, Paul D convinces Denver and Sethe to attend the circus together. Through this experience, Denver gains a sense of trust and compassion towards Paul D. At the circus, “Denver was swaying with delight. And on the way home, although leading them now, the shadows of three people still held hands” (56). Since a shadow could illustrate the internal struggles of each individual, the holding of hands must come to represent how the three of them can confront the terrors of their past together. For the first time, Sethe has another person to reason with, as she begins to interact with her community again. Therefore, when “[Beloved] walked out of the water,” this new family dynamic is disturbed. I find it interesting how Sethe’s sudden desire to go to the bathroom is contrasted to Beloved’s rebirth from the water. It is almost as if her water has broken.
When Beloved stays at 124, she asks about Sethe’s mother. Sethe responds by saying that “She never fixed my hair nor nothing...Right on her rib was a circle and a cross burnt right in the skin” (72). Memories of her mother brings her back to her slave years at “Sweet Home.” It is unusual and almost eerie how much Beloved questions and knows about Sethe. How is Beloved’s appearance going to affect Denver? Paul D?
I like your focus on how Beloved's rebirth has broken up the family Sethe, Denver, and Paul D were building. When I read this, I saw symmetry to the time where Paul D banished Beloved in the first place. As though Sethe, Denver, and Beloved were a family and Paul D came in and ruined that. It's interesting to see how Beloved is now doing the same thing to Paul D.
DeleteDenver and Beloved – How has Denver changed? (pgs. 62-66)
ReplyDelete“Something funny about that gal” (pg. 67)
While reading through these chapters I noticed a significant change in Denver’s character. Once Beloved is introduced in the story, Denver is drawn to her with much curiosity. Denver suddenly acts very hospitable and offers undivided attention to the new guest anda allows her to her feel at home, “Can I get you something?” This scene revealed the most about Denver’s character so far in the novel. Beloved’s presence has opened up Denver’s personality that has been hidden underneath a layer of dust; even Sethe realizes this, “Sethe looked at her daughter and thought, ‘Yes, she has been lonesome. Very lonesome.’” So far through this story, it is evident that Sethe has a very loving yet orderly demeanor—she avoids change as much as possible and sticks with routine. She was apprehensive to allowing Paul D into 124, and things are still sensitive between them as the carnival was just a starting point to building a relationship. In contrast to this, I find it interesting that Sethe considers her daughter’s lonesomeness and appears to be easily accepting of Beloved’s presence for Denver’s social sake. Could Denver’s attraction to Beloved indicate the distance between her and her mother’s relationship? Is Sethe allowing Beloved to stay because she is considering letting Paul stay, and it would only be fair for Denver to have someone for her too? Though Denver and Sethe appear to be open to the idea of Beloved staying at 124, it is intriguing that Paul D seems adverse to this, “‘You just gonna feed her? From now on?’ Paul D, feeling ungenerous, and surprised by it, heard the irritability in his voice.” Morrison indicates at Paul’s disapproving attitude to direct the audience towards the fact that Beloved interrupted Paul’s transition into 124; it was right after things were to a good start, things lost balance. He mentions his suspicions of Beloved later to Sethe, and refers to an earlier instance where he and Denver saw her effortlessly lift a chair. Sethe, in disbelief, calls over Denver to approve of this account when Denver purposely denies it, “‘No,’ she said. ‘I didn’t see no such thing.’” Paul D frowns at her lie, and the chapter closes with Morrison comparing the relationship between Denver and Paul as a “closed latch.” Morrison takes advantage of this ending to emphasize not only the closeness of Denver and Beloved’s relationship, but the distance between Denver and Paul’s relationship. Knowing that Beloved has interrupted Paul’s entrance, she does what she can to keep her around. Denver was not a fan of Paul to begin with, and disliked that it hindered her relationship even more with her mother. Ending on this note has created much to question about where both of Denver’s relationships with the guests will lend and how this will also affect Sethe.
I agree with the points you highlighted in your blog post. I wrote about Denver in mine as well and it's interesting to see another analysis of her character. I like how you had incorporated the moment at the end of the chapter where Paul D asks Denver about seeing Beloved effortlessly lift a chair, to which she claims she never saw. It's interesting how just before this at the carnival it seemed as if Denver was beginning to warm up to Paul D and then Beloved is introduced and we see a shift back in their relationship. I think it'll be interesting to watch how these characters interact as the book progresses.
DeleteIn this section of the reading, right when Sethe, Paul D, and Denver return home from the carnival they see a girl, who we learn later on is Beloved. Sethe has this moment where she runs around to the back of the house to pee and she does not make it to the outhouse and has to pee right there. However, the flowing was so strong and heavy it was “...more like flooding the boat when Denver was born.”(pg 61) This is referring to her water breaking which to me is a big clue that Beloved is almost coming back from the dead as a nineteen twenty-year-old. There are many details that stand out about her that make her seem innocent and fresh almost like a baby being born. The rest of the chapter it almost seems as if Beloved is trying to catch up on her age. Paul D seems very suspicious of Beloved while Denver and Sethe are entranced by almost her every movement. He notices the freshness of her hands and her feet. He notices that she “Acts sick, sounds sick, but she don’t look sick. Good skin, bright eyes, and strong as a bull.”(pg 67). The strength of a bull is an interesting factor because we still don’t know much about Beloved and near the end of the chapter Sethe also begins to wonder who this girl is because somehow she knows about certain parts of Sethe's life that no one else really knows. Even Denver noticed “how greedy she was to hear Sethe talk. Now she noticed something more.”(pg 75). Denver, too, notices something a little bit odd about Beloved and so all three of them have some sort of curiosity about her.
ReplyDeleteDespite Beloved’s abrupt and odd entrance into Sethe’s and Denver’s lives, she fits perfectly into their home. Beloved brings out aspects of all three residents of 124 that were otherwise unknown. Denver becomes patient and extroverted, while the usually cheerful Paul D. is now the skeptic. Though Sethe is typically reserved, Beloved is able to unravel stories out of Sethe that Denver had never heard. As Sethe combs her daughter’s hair, Beloved asks her, “Your woman she never fix up your hair?”(72). This leads to memories that Sethe has long since buried. The stream of consciousness that follows, although random at first glance, is linked to the question. Beloved is not only asking about Sethe’s mother, which she explains in the first few sentences, but also about identity. Hair can be a personal and important aspect of identity and culture. This lack of identity is prevalent through the rest of the chapter. Sethe tells Beloved and Denver that she spent little to no time with her mother. She could only distinguish her mother through “a circle and a cross burnt right in the skin”(72). Sethe was forced to reduce her own family, an integral part of an individual, to a burn. From this point on, Sethe quiets but continues her remembrances in her own mind. As she folds laundry, Sethe remembers another lost part of herself. Growing up, she would speak with a woman called Nan who “used different words. Words Sethe understood then but could neither recall nor repeat now...The same language her ma’am spoke…”(74). This speech, which I’m assuming is an African dialect, is one of the few cultural expressions the slaves at Sweet Home seem to have left. Without it, Sethe has no ties to her mother, who spoke it, and her own background. This was all revealed through the work of Beloved. Beloved’s ability to inspire these moments is most likely a reason why Denver and Sethe are so adamant to have her stay.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to think about maybe why Beloved brings out these sides of the characters. What is it about her that comforts and draws the women out and that sets Paul D off balance. We know so little about her and yet she seems familiar, in a sense, in her childish perfection and haze of ignorance. She is clearly not what she appears to be.
DeleteSomething we so often forget in the course of understanding a story or a history is that people have always been people, regardless of how long ago they lived. Reading Beloved I feel like I’ve gained a greater sense of the domestic humanity that we see every day when we wake up and see our family eating breakfast or reading the newspaper, but so often forget when we look back at those who preceded us. Especially looking at Sethe’s life, yes we know the story of slavery and the struggle and the pain it left, but we infrequently see it play out in real time as seen in Beloved. For Sethe, she has lived through slavery and come out the tail end swinging. Denver is all she really has other than the house and a boatload of traumatic memories. To have the privilege to feel for another person is something we don’t even consider in our own lives, to simply feel and be allowed to feel. For Sethe and many men and women of the time, it was illegal to have “ownership” of one's own children-- considering those children property and the marriage between their parents illegitimate and superficial. Emotions are a dangerous game when your life doesn’t belong to you, but upon running away Sethe suddenly has this freedom to love her children, and even Paul D, entirely. When Paul D says, “for a used-to-be-slave woman to love anything… was dangerous, especially if it was her children she had settled on to love.”(54) Sethe clearly has feelings for Paul D and wants to open up her small, protected world to him, but it’s is in this section we learn the extent of Sethe’s love for her family. We see the commitment and unwavering support she has for Denver when she says, “If I have to choose – well it’s not even a choice”(54). Yet, at the same time, she clearly wants to love Paul D, wants to choose him or not choose at all. She wants a life, a free life and a life without the need for the hard choices and harder consequences that plagued her past. So, when Paul D says he’s not asking her to choose and that they can “make a life, girl. A life,”(55) it’s incredible to see this intimate little moment of reconciliation of the past and building of the future all within the constraints of a very present moment. This is what’s so special about this book, it’s so vast and yet so focused and tuned into the little moments what makes them significant.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you talked about the characters and who they are as people, not just as symbols of a historical event. When I read your post it reminded me of the quote, "I see humans but no humanity." In some ways, I guess unconsciously focused more on the characters as historical figures, not always noticing their "real time" actions. Sethe is very much character who feels emotions we can all relate to, and in the future I would like to focus a bit more on this.
DeleteAs I have mentioned in previous blog posts, Sethe has lived many years with her mind somewhere other than the present. Sethe cares deeply for Denver telling Paul D, “[g]rown don’t mean nothing to a mother. A child is a child” (54). She is referring to the fact that she will never stop mothering Denver, and Denver will always be a child in her eyes. Sethe wants to continue to try and shield Denver from the pain of her past, the same pain that took her other children and husband away. To Sethe, age is an arbitrary number with no real meaning. Life to her doesn’t start or end with physical birth and death, and age cannot estimate how many years someone will stay in her life. Sethe’s perspective on time can be seen throughout the rest of her conversation with Paul D, saying that she’ll protect Denver, “while [she’s] live and [she’ll] protect her when [she] ain’t” (54). Her care for her daughter is everlasting, crossing over barriers of time and space. Sethe has held onto Denver so tightly for they are the only family each other have left. Because of this, when Sethe considers between Paul and Denver being in her life, she says, “[i]f I had to choose- well, it’s not even a choice” (54). Sethe always puts her family first, even above her own happiness, never trying to make room for anything else. This could be seen earlier when she was more upset about her milk being taken away than being raped and it can be seen now when she tries to push Paul D away.
ReplyDeletePaul does not believe what Sethe is saying, knowing that he can add the joy and safety back into their lives that they are missing. He doesn’t want Sethe to live in fear or reservation, telling her, “[w]e can make a life, girl. A life.” (55) Sethe and Denver are living, but they are constantly holding their breath. If they make space for Paul, they can exhale and live a more fully. Paul D brings up important questions, ideas, and emotions the girls have not addressed or felt in years.
I agree that Sethe has continued to struggle with handling her past at "Sweet Home." She decides to shield Denver from the pain of her past. Even when Paul D arrives at 124, Sethe's focus is still on her child, though Denver often feels lonely. However, I think that Paul D has brought Sethe and Denver even closer than they once were. After bringing them to the carnival, we see that the three of them resemble a "family." As you said, "Paul D brings up important questions, ideas, and emotions the girls have not addressed or felt in years." At the carnival, for instance, Sethe and Denver are interacting with those in their community for the first time in a while.
DeleteWhat effect will Beloved's arrival have on their "family?"
These few chapters of the book have been my favorite so far, because the book is starting to pick up steam and head towards its main conflict. The moment within this section which caught my attention the most, was the abrupt and confusing appearance of the the character Beloved. The suddenness in which she appears throws the novel in a completely new direction. There are many signs that lead towards this new Beloved being on in the same with the infant who we learn has been killed early on in the book. Aside from having the same name, there is a clear sign of symbolism that represents her rebirth. Sethe’s water breaking is a bit too closely related to Beloved “coming from the water”, it almost seems like Toni Morrison’s symbols are made that you discount them as being connected, due to how clearly and quickly they connect (that’s the sense that I have been getting, at least). I’m very interested to learn more about Beloved, and how she knows all these questions that even Sethe herself seems to have repressed.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you about the current climate of the book suddenly. The comparison that you made of Beloved emerging from the water and the rebirth of a person can be argued based off of the similarities you argued they shared. Also, the way that they took care of her is almost the rebirth of themselves.
DeleteI think the most interesting shift in this section was Denver’s relationship with Paul D in chapter 4. Although short, Denver goes through a large, gradual change in her feelings for Paul D. Initially, Denver seems to not want Paul D around, as she questions “how long he was going to hang around.” From my perspective, I don’t see Denver opposed to Paul D living with them as much as she is opposed to change. Denver is very shy and is uncomfortable with life outside of her and Sethe. However, Paul D stays patient with Denver, telling Sethe, “no promises, if you don’t want to make any.” I think that this was pivotal in the development of Denver’s and Paul D’s relationship. Paul D understands how shy Denver is, and allows himself to ease into their lives instead of quickly forcing himself in. This allowed for Denver to change her mind Paul D at the carnival, as she opens up to the idea that “Paul D wasn’t all that bad.” I think Denver becoming more accepting to Paul D is very important for her growth as a character moving forwards. Until this point, Denver is very uncomfortable outside 124, and only feels comfortable with Sethe. With Paul D, this is the first time Denver opens up outside of 124. I think this is the spark of more changes coming for Denver’s character that we will see throughout Beloved.
ReplyDeleteI like how you focused your blog post on Denver because she was somewhat the center of these chapters. The way in which Denver approaches life is disappointing, as she has always lived under her mother's past. She seems to have never truly been happy, but when Paul D. comes along, there is a possibility that this will change. She is very hesitant at first to allow him into her life and begins to make quick judgements. However, when they are having fun at the carnival, she realizes what it is truly like to enjoy life and be happy, causing her to think that him staying there. I like how you also mentioned that this is the first time that Denver is opening up outside of 124 because she mentioned how she didn't have many friends and that people didn't like her. Now that Paul D. is there, people are smiling at them she sees hope for the future.
DeleteWhether Beloved is a literal reincarnation or a metaphorical parallel of Sethe’s dead child, I find it very confusing and bizarre that nobody living in 124 has drawn more of a connection between the two. It would be most understandable for Paul D who may not be familiar with stories of Beloved but I think Sethe and Denver should definitely be responding in a more suspicious manner, especially since the two clearly hold belief in the supernatural since they have been haunted by what they feel to be the ghost of Beloved. I think this is especially true seeing as despite not only having the same name, the new guest in 124 is also appears to be the around the same age Beloved would have been at she been able live out a life. Still, Sethe just smiles and says “That’s a pretty name, Beloved. Take of your hat, why don’t you, and I’ll make us something” (63-64). However, as the chapter progresses and Beloved stays in the house longer, I think they begin to suspect there may be something more going on. Paul D thinks he saw Beloved behaving with unnatural strength. Denver wonders where Beloved is coming up with her questions to Sethe as if she knows something. Perhaps shortly, Sethe or Denver will fully confront this mysterious situation.
ReplyDeleteWhy I enjoyed this chapter so much was because of all the new questions it raised. There's so many interesting places the book can go from here. I think as we continue reading, we'll be able to look back at this chapter and see things which connect and foreshadow future events more clearly.
DeleteI was also wondering why nobody has made the connection yet. I thought it might be Morrison showing us how blinded Sethe and Denver are due to their lack of exposure to anything outside of 124. It is interesting that Paul D., who knows the least about what happened with baby Beloved, sees the situation the most clearly of the three of them, and I think this may also be related to the fact that Paul D has had more exposure to the outside world. I am curious about when, if it happens, the three of them will draw the connection between the guest Beloved and the baby Beloved.
DeleteI think it’s fair to say that Denver wasn’t exactly Paul D’s number one fan in the beginning of the novel, even asking him time to time when he was gonna leave 124. In Denver’s eyes, Paul D has single handedly torn her mother and her dead sister Beloved, even further out of her life, which is already deprived of companionship. However one trip to a local fair had not only altered the perspective of Denver, but also the perspective of Sethe. After getting dressed and heading out the door Sethe observed, “...their hand holding shadows” (56), a symbol of unity, possibly the hope for family and new beginnings and mend their abyss of loneliness and loss. Perhaps Paul D had been right, “A life” (56) is what what they would become, after their lives in Sweethome had made life anything but possible. Throughout the day, their moods progressively developed into an unfamiliar feeling of joy and glee, obviously shown by the smile across all three of their faces, and the image of the, “...three people [that] still held hands” (58). The continuation of simplistic hand holding only strengthens the bond and boosts their dreams of a somewhat normal household.
ReplyDeleteWhile the physical form of Beloved is up for discussion, she’s back, and unlike Denver at that point in the story, still discourages Paul D’s presence. The spirit that they believed was a missing, aching aspect of their lives, may now be the one to destroy the progress of family. The chaotic, restless interactions between Sethe and Beloved can be shown by that, “Their two shadows clashed and crossed on the ceiling like black swords” (68). In juxtaposition to hand holding, the slashing of swords proves to be much less of a peaceful symbol. Could the swords possibly be some metaphorical battle to determine if Paul D remains in 124, and Beloved’s desire to get her sister and her mother all to herself? Beloved’s words and actions remind of Denver’s initial reactions to Paul D a the beginning of the novel.
During this section of reading, we see Denver begin to evolve as an individual. She has her own personal feelings towards Paul D and is not afraid to express them. She does not understand his presence, and questions “how long he was going to hang around.” (52) Denver appears to view Paul D as a burden on her home and sees things as better when they are haunted. While Sethe’s feelings have a large impact on Denver and she doesn’t wants to disrespect or hurt her mother, Denver cannot help but be cruel towards him. However, Sethe, who has been placing Paul D first in her life, was defending her daughter from him, exclaiming "I don't care what she is. Grown don't mean nothing to a mother. A child is a child. They get bigger, older, but grown? What's that supposed to mean? In my heart it don't mean a thing." (54) While it seems as though she will never warm up to him, their relationship begins to evolve at the carnival Paul D brings her to and she was “swaying with delight” (59) at the end of the night. I found it interesting how they were able to settle their differences and have a respect and possibly a liking for one another. Later, Paul D expresses his feelings toward Beloved and sees something troubling going on. Denver ends up lying to protect Beloved and appears to break the trust she had formed earlier with Paul D. Denver appears to have formed a bond with Beloved and is beginning to find companionship after years of loneliness. Beloved has already started to damage relationships Denver has with the people in her life and it will be interesting to see how this continues to change throughout the course of the novel.
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