Beloved by Toni Morrison

By Monaye J., Phoenix, AZ
Toni Morrison, in her novel Beloved, published in 1988 focuses on the importance of memory, and history. Sethe is a former slave that lives with her eighteen year old daughter Denver. She has good intentions; however, they were hidden by her horrific past. But there is one thing that no one knows about Sethe. Sethe slaughtered her own children.
When the book begins, Sethe is an adult settled in Cincinnati, Ohio with her daughter. The house that she lives in is described as spiteful and full of baby-venom. Sethe struggles daily with the haunting legacy of slavery. The digits 124 on her house represents her third deceased child.
Sethe is constantly reminded of her slavery past. She has scars on her back the symbolize her dehumanizing years as a slave. One day Paul D A former slave with her at Sweet Home stops by. He’s presence helps Sethe reclaim her past.
Toni Morrison does an excellent job on portraying the history and struggles that many slaves had to go through. The main character is perfect for the role; the reader is able to immerse themselves is=n the book and feel and see everything Sethe feels and see’s. Sethe’s personal problem is never completely resolved. Toni Morrison leaves the reader engaged and lusting for more.