Beloved

1
Beloved

• Chapters 4-9

2
Discussion

• Characters
• Chronology
• History taboo subjects and rememory
• Writing Style
• Images Symbols
• Tone Mood
• Themes

3
Bridge Chapter (Chapter 4)

• Carnival. Paul D initiates another change for
  Sethe and Denver
• the shadows of three people still held hands
  (Chapter 4)

• High point of happiness
• Denotes a change
• Contrast between public vs. private selves (the
  closed past with secrets and painful, haunting
  memories)
• Physically going to the carnival provided
  opportunities for each character to be open.

4
Important Images

• Boxwood (3)
• Baby Suggs pondering color before her death (1)
• Brother (2) personification of a tree
• White dress (3) symbol of innocence and purity
• Hand-holding shadows (4)

5
Beloveds Arrival

• Characteristics of a baby needy, dependent,
  unsophisticated
• But really 19-20 years old (5)
• Sethes water breaking (5) note Morrisons
  symbolic use of water
• NOTE Morrisons insistence on our wrestling with
  the past and a loss of dignity

6
Chapter 5 A Thirst for Knowledge

• Why does Beloved seem so familiar to Sethe? (5)
• What is significant about Paul D always asking
  questions?
• Mood and Tone a sense of heaviness in the air
• Why does Morrison want Denver to mature in this
  chapter?

7
Chapter 6 Effects of Beloveds questions on Sethe

• 1st question Where your diamonds? Story of
  wedding dress (6)
• 2nd question Your woman she never fix up your
  hair? Story of Maams mark (6). First we
  hear of Sethes mother
• Additional memory Nan and the slave ship (6).
  The haunting nature of repressed anger.
• Lesson Whatever you run away from, you
  eventually run into it. Deal with your problems
  before they become even bigger.

8
Process of Memory being released

• Central conflict at the beginning of Chapter 7.
• Paul Ds story of Halle and the churn, the bit
  and Mister, the rooster (7). Mister was
  allowed to be and stay (7)
• What is a bit? Why are they used with animals?

9
Chapter 8 Learning the Dance of Life

• Important image of death and being buried (8)
• Repetition as a means of establishing MEMORY.
  Mention of water and diamonds again

• Like the chokecherry tree on Sethes back
  (8)constant reminders of loss and isolation and
  loneliness. Carrying the burden on her back.
• Social commentary cp. The Declaration of
  Independence

10
The Maturation of Denver

• Denver was seeing it now and feeling it
  through Beloved (8).
• Mamas Song (8). Look at the lyrics. Analyze
  its message.
• Flashback to Amy with Sethe on the Ohio river
  (8). Why now? What is Sethe remembering and
  why? What is being born?

11
Chapter 9 Another Change

• IT WAS TIME to lay it all down (9).
• Nine years since Baby Suggs death
• Significance of Baby Suggs preaching (9)
• Message about LOVE (88)

12
Counter-message to white slave-owners

• To the Clearing (9)
• Sethe, Denver and Beloved leave 124 on a mission
• Morrison repeatedly mentions the color green.
  What does green symbolize?
• Another flashback to Amy (9)
• Assumed knowledge of the Underground Railroad.
  Introduction to Stamp Paid.

13
Image of Crossing the Ohio River Freedom?

• Stamp Paid helps Sethe and Denver cross the
  Ohio river (9)
• Flashback leads back to Baby Suggs (9)
• Back to the Clearing (9)

14
Biblical Allusion The Clearing

• Moses and the Israelites the Book of Exodus
• With Baby Suggs heart in charge, the people let
  go (9).
• Sethe recognizes the importance of remembering
  the past and is thankful for Paul D (9)
• The Clearing multiple meanings
• Fugitives and Abolitionists