Blog Post #6: write about how the last chapters have either changed or affirmed your previous interpretations of a character's behavior. Cite a specific quotation, from the chapter, that does so and explain why.
After reading these last few chapters, my outlook on Denver has really changed. Although I knew that she was the most educated in her family, I never expected her to be the one to hold her family together, being so proactive and even stopping her mom from attacking Mr. Bodwin. As Paul D. walks back to 124, he sees Denver, she was “Thinner, steady in the eyes, she looked more like Halle than ever. She was the first to smile, “Good morning Mr. D”…Her smile, no longer the sneer he remembered, had welcome in it” (266). Even Denver’s attitude towards Paul D has completely changed. Before, she despised his presence, and was often jealous of him. Now, she seems totally pleasant and later instructs him on how to deal with Sethe when he sees her. I never expected Denver to mature like this, as she is finally acting her age and will even continue to pursue her education. Unlike Sethe, the Beloved experience seems to have made her stronger. She is a lot more stable as she no longer isolates herself within her house and seems to have finally immersed herself within the community. I am very proud of her, and hope that Sethe is able to get her act together and not end up like Baby Suggs.
These last few chapters have changed my outlook on Denver. Before, it seemed like she couldn't deal with the problems she had with Sethe. When she heard that Sethe had killed her own daughter, Denver went deaf, and she had been scared to leave 124 and go into the rest of the world. In addition to getting a job, Denver became the one who took care of Beloved and Sethe by "washing, cooking, forcing, cajoling her mother to eat a little now and then, providing sweet things for Beloved as often as she could to calm her down" (295). Earlier on, it seemed as though Denver couldn't even take care of herself, and now that Sethe is struggling, Denver has had to take care of herself, Sethe, and Beloved. When her family really needed her, she proved that she had the ability to step up and help them. While Sethe seemed to be broken down by her problems with Beloved, the experienced seems to have helped Denver become brave, and more independent. At this point it seems like Denver has switched roles with Sethe, and until reading this chapter I never would have expected this to happen.
It has made me sad to see what Sethe has become. She is basically Baby Suggs and the cycle of her family has come full circle. Sethe used to be so strong and fierce, but the reentry of her dead daughter has seemed to wither her to nothing. She kept on feeding the beast known as Beloved, and fed her until there was nothing left of herself. Paul D. notices this as she says, "I'm tired, Paul D. So tired. I have to rest a while," (320), which makes him realize that she has become Baby Suggs, giving up on life. When Sethe ran from Sweet Home, she was probably very tired what with being pregnant and all, but she never admitted it. She never took a break from trying to protect her kids, and she never ever said that she needed to "rest a while", which shows that Sethe has become defeated. She has become a totally different person that contradicts parts one and two of the novel, and it is very disappointing.
The end of the novel affirmed my prediction that Paul D’s insecurities with his masculinity partly stem from his constant comparisons to Sixo. When Paul D returns to 124, he dwells on how he values himself: “When he looks at himself through Garner’s eyes, he sees one thing. Through Sixo’s, another. One makes him feel righteous. One makes him feel ashamed” (315). Although Paul D meets Mr. Garner’s definition and perspectives of manhood, Sixo serves as Paul D’s primary model of masculinity. Sixo occasionally provides food for the other slaves in Sweet Home and sacrifices his life for the Thirty Mile Woman. Paul D recognizes that unlike Sixo, he cannot assert power and take control of difficult situations, and thus he feels “ashamed” of himself. When Paul D reunites with Sethe, he uses Sixo’s statements about the Thirty Mile Woman to assure himself that Sethe is the only female who can help him overcome his insecurities.
Similarly, after having read the ending, I felt as if it only reassured my assumption of Denver. Although it was not as obvious, Denver always kept Sethe, Beloved and 124 "grounded". Therefore when Denver had assumed the role of Sethe and cared for both her and Beloved, it did not not surprised me when she "relieve[d] [Sethe] of" Beloved's "night bucket"(243), and became the strong head of the household. Denver "knew it was on her" (243) in order to care for her mother that was losing who she once was, because of Beloved. The isolation Denver faced would only force her to be the strong willed and strong-minded person who could actually face her fears of Sethe and isolation all at once. This strength only led me to believe that at a certain point, she would either have to face her fears alone and fend for both herself and her family Denver has reinvented herself for the sake of her mother, which quite frankly leaves me content with the ending of the novel.
Paul D's behavior in the final chapter surprised me because I did not expect that he would be able to care for sethe or fully admit his love for her in a healthy way. I assumed that Paul D would be unable to see past his own issues and his own problems with his past in order to look forward or allow himself true unselfish feelings for sethe, saying that "He wants to put his story next to hers." (322) and that they "need some kind of tomorrow" (322). At the end of the book he is so gentle with her and refers to his memories of Sixo and Halle in a healthy way instead of harshly comparing himself to the memories of their actions.
The last chapters of this reading assignment have affirmed my previous observation of Sethe’s mental illness(the interpretation of the odd behavior that I shall list), which I presume to be bipolar disorder. Note: I believe that Sethe does not perform any altruistic deeds towards her children whatsoever. Sethe is extremely proud, which explains why she killed the baby and later obsessively guarded her(for her ego’s sake, since Beloved was a reflection of herself). Before, Sethe was incredibly selfish and felt content with only truly loving herself. Now, Sethe reveals feelings of worthlessness when she reveals that she does not have a sense of self-worth when in reply to Paul D’s statement that “You your best thing, Sethe. You are,” she exclaims in disbelief “Me? Me?”(322). It is unfathomable to Sethe that anyone could ever deem her worthy of love, a total contrast to her prior homicide and almost indecipherable letting go of Paul D, amongst other inhumane actions.
This chapter completely changed my perception of Denver. I never thought she could be capable of any type of independence because of her past experiences and her upbringing. That's one of the reasons I did not like her character, I felt that every time she had a chance of being independent she choose not to but in this chapter she begins to makes the first move, which totally changes my view on her. This chapter reveals Denver making the first move because she was the only hope that her mother had left, "she stood on the porch of 124 ready to be swallowed up in the world beyond the edge of the porch...it would happen again" (286-287). Her step of independence revealed her true self and how smart she was all along.
The last chapters have completely altered the way I view Denver. I wrote in the essay about how much Denver lacked any semblance of independence and how much it has stunted her growth. Well, in the last chapters she makes the leap, by realizing that the future of her family lies in her hands. She realizes how taxing the relationship between Beloved and Sethe has been, "She saw themselves beribboned, decked-out, limp and starving but locked in a love that wore everybody out."(286) For her to take this step towards her own independence, by seeking out the help and getting herself a job is remarkable and was unforeseen to say the least.
Denver is the character that intrigued me the most since the beginning of the novel. Her overprotective and possessive nature over Sethe and Beloved that was shown was interesting because she did it not only for love, but of fear. She feared that whatever triggered Sethe into wanting to kill her children and kill Beloved would come back, therefore she cared for Sethe very protectively. At the same time she was caring for herself, meaning protecting herself from Sethe. In regards to Beloved, Denver's intention was also to protect her from Sethe. Denver kind of viewed her mother as the antagonist of her life throughout all these years. But when things took a turn, Denver realizes that it is Beloved whom she should be aware of. Her overprotective role shift from protecting Beloved from Sethe to protecting Sethe from Beloved. Denver sympathizing with the experiences of people she care of shows an understanding and compassionate side of her. She "understood the connection between her mother and Beloved" and "seeing her mother diminished ashamed and infuriated her" (295). At first, I thought Denver would have protected Beloved more and side with her even through all this fiasco that they are going through. I was wrong, I underestimated Denver's intelligence and wisdom for a girl who was has been isolated for most of her life. She even knew that she had to go out and ask for help. But she would do so by finding a job and working not just receiving the help without really working hard for it. Her understanding that her presence in the household has no influence whatsoever motivated her to go out there to a world she lacks knowledge of. Although she does not know she has a self and acts based on the needs of others. her selfless acts and reasons empower her. She becomes independent out of those acts and reasons of empowerment.
In the last part of the novel, my views on Denver have completely changed. Often viewing Denver as dependent and reliant on Sethe, taking the role as head of the family was shocking. Given that she was afraid of Sethe for her whole life, taking it upon herself to care for her mother proves as to how mature Denver has become as a person. Though Denver has not left 124 on her own for over 9 years, she gains confidence through Baby Suggs telling her to "Know it, and go on out that yard. Go on." (288) As Denver hears Baby Suggs telling her to go out the boarders of 124 signifies the restart of the position of power in the family much like how Sethe had to take the role as head of the family. However, I believe the differ nor between Denver becoming the head of the family now is that it is a role which she personally took on, rather than Sethe who was forced into the position.
Initially, Denver felt threatened by Sethe because she fears her own mother killing her as well. Therefore, ever since Beloved’s arrival, Denver felt obligated to protect her from Sethe. I wrote about how this was a form of projection where Denver projects her fear of her own mother to Beloved. I thought Denver’s fears would worsen to the point where she might even contemplate on killing Sethe. However, because of how Sethe’s relationship with Beloved turned out, the complete opposite happens. I was surprised when Denver changed from ,”protecting Beloved from Sethe, changed to protecting her mother from Beloved” (286). This proved my prediction wrong and fortunately for Denver, things started to get better for her. She did not succumb to her objective anxiety and she also became a more responsible individual.
At the end of my Beloved essay, I had made the prediction that if Sethe were to continue being altruistic, she would eventually hurt herself and others in order to protect her children. This partly came true when her and Beloved's roles became reversed. It was as though Beloved became the adult and Sethe the child, when "[a] complaint came from Beloved, an apology from Sethe" (283). Her masochism was clearly shown when she claimed that "Beloved was more important, meant more to her than her own life" (284). Sethe continues to put the needs of her children, or in this case just Beloved, above her own and this eventually leads to her wasting away to the point where the "flesh between her...forefinger and thumb was as thin as china silk" (281). Not only does Sethe hurt herself, but she also attempts to hurt others when she believes they "coming for her best thing" (308), Beloved.
"When once or twice Sethe tried to assert herself--and be the unquestioned mother whose word was law and who knew what was beast--Beloved slammed things, wiped the table clean of plates, threw salt on the floor, broke a windowpane." (285) Beloved in human form throughout all of part 2 seemed to be benevolent (at least, physically) with only a slight undertone of something evil beneath. I did see it as somewhat manipulative when Beloved was "moving" Paul D throughout 124. However, this quote seems eerily similar to another Beloved, one from far earlier in the novel: the baby ghost. The ghost was "spiteful" and often would reek havoc on Sethe and Denver before Paul D beat the ghost away. So, in this respect, it seems that this new perspective on the person Beloved has only affirmed the traits of her character from her original form as a ghost in part 1. What's more, this new behavior (which is not limited to physical abuse and also includes starving Sethe by was of guilt) also reveals the anger toward Sethe that one would expect from the ghost (as Sethe took the baby's life away before the baby could understand why).
The last chapter changed my previous interpretations of Sethe's behavior. I had believed that Sethe had an obsession to protect her children, but now it seems like she needed them to protect her, and keep her company. I believe when Sethe fell under Beloved's spell, jeopardizing her and Beloved's health, she was only doing this so Beloved would forgive her and stay. I think if Beloved stayed Sethe would take that as confirmation that she is a good mother. "She comes in the daytime. Denver. She's still with me, my Denver"(320). I think that this quote shows that Sethe needs the company of at least one her children at all times, because when Beloved was obsessing over her she completely forgot about Denever, but now that Beloved is gone she calls Denver hers, the only child that has stayed with her through everything.
At the end of my Beloved paper I predicted that Sethe would go crazy if her children left her to live alone. In the end I was proven wrong because Sethe ends up going crazy because of her children. She needed them to leave her so she could get her life back. They actually drained the life from her, " The flesh between her mother's forefinger and thumb was thin as China silk and there wasn't a piece of clothing in the house that didn't sag on her" (281). Sethe's kids were the worst thing for her and needed her too much. They put themselves before her and were ready to drive her insane for their own gain. I used to think of Sethe as a strong character but now I see that she really can't handle the situation she is in.
In this chapter, I was very shocked to see how much Sethe has changed since the beginning of the novel. I expected Sethe to remain the strong independent women she showed us in the beginning but now she is completely worn down and weak. Sethe "pleaded fro forgiveness, counting, listing again and again her reasons: that Beloved was more important, meant more to her than her own life. That she would trade places any day. Give up her life, every minute and hour of it, to take back just one of Beloveds tears" (284). Although Sethes kids mean the world to her especially Beloved, but you never seen her beg anyone in the novel for her forgiveness so much as she wants it from Beloved.
I never expected Sethe to break. She has always been such a strong willed individual with such an armored heart whose eyes can break through anyone. However, in this chapter she finally broke. She was trying so hard to please Beloved and to get her forgiveness yet she was incapable of getting it. It goes, "And Sethe cried, saying she never did, or meant to--that she had to get them out, away, that she had the milk all the time and had the money too for the stone but not enough" (284). In addition it goes, "Sethe pleaded for forgiveness, counting, listing again and again her reasons: that Beloved was more important, meant more to her than her own life..." (284). Sethe is trying so hard to get her forgiveness that she's putting her own life on the line. She has lost her iron eyes and has lost her armored heart. She is not as strong willed as she used to be. She feels that she owes Beloved everything including her own life.
This last chapter altered my perception of Denver. Initially, I thought that Denver would be negatively impacted by Sethe's obsessive need to please Beloved. In the beginning of the novel, Denver was lonely because she didn't have a close relationship with her mother, who was the only person she could interact with. When Paul D arrived, Sethe began letting her guard down, isolating Denver once more. Because Denver had yearned for company for so long, I believed she would remain depend throughout the novel, though this was disproved after Beloved and Sethe began arguing. In fact, "The job [Denver] started out with, protecting Beloved from Sethe, changed to protecting her mother from Beloved" (287). Although Denver was isolated once more in the beginning if part three, I saw how much Denver had grown, separating herself from Beloved and Sethe's volatile relationship to become independent enough to protect her mother.
Entire time I thought that Sethe is the one that is protective towards he family and her kids. I think this couple of last chapters showed me that Denver is actually holding things together. "Denver serve them both"(295) she was like a servant to her, and not as a daughter. It seems that Sethe, that I thought is protective over Denver, is actually only interested in Beloved, and how Beloved feels "Sethe was trying to make up for handsaw; Beloved was making her pay for it."(295). MY opinion changed over Sethe and Denver, because now I see that Sethe is only interested in Beloved forgiving her, while Denver is interested in keeping things together.
This last chapter refuted my previous as thoughts about what would happen to Paul D. I thought that he would suffer throughout the continuation of his life, but he does in fact turn himself around. Upon realized that Sethe is his "thirty mile women" he knew that he wants to be with her. Around her "he did not have to fell the shame of being collard like a beast"(322). Sethe is able to alleviate the pain he feels. Paul D has a very troubling past filled with many degrading experiences that have definitely left him with some trauma.
In the closing chapters of Beloved, my beliefs about Denver have completely flip-flopped. Denver went from a scared, dependent child to a brave, independent woman who has ventured outside 124 for a job. Denver is now able to deal with her mother's problems and wants to help in any way she can. In addition to taking care of Sethe, Denver now also tends to Beloved "providing sweet things for Beloved as often as she could to calm her down" (295). The difference between now and when Beloved first showed up to 124 is that Denver was taking care of Beloved in order to be a mother figure, now I think Denver is simply tending to Sethe and Beloved not only because she CAN but because she actually wants to help them. I think Denver has progressively become more altruistic. In my eyes, Denver has gone to a completely self-centered individual who kept to herself, to someone who is more selfless and willing to help others. With that said, I believe that this Denver has switched roles with the Sethe we knew earlier in the novel who was trying to be this selfless hero, but this time I think Denver is doing it for all the right reasons, not just to make up for past mistakes.
The ending was surprising to me in regards to Denver getting her life on track and continuing down her path to a decent future. Previously, I thought that her ending would be tragic in someway, I don't know why but I thought Morrison would feel compelled to kill her off violently or subjugate her to a horrible fate. But no, Denver prevails and leaves 124, which by itself is a minor miracle. She finds Lady Jones and reengages with the community and really gets her life together even with her family life crumbling around her. Denver is even receiving an education as her mother distraughtly falls apart in 124. "Miss Bodwin taught her stuff. He asked her what stuff and she laughed and said book stuff. 'She says I might go to Oberlin'" (314). I was surprised by Denver's ability to overcome her situation and at the same time, I applaud Morrison for not taking out everyone's problems on Denver because she's an easy target.
I was surprised by Sethe's transformation from the beginning of the novel to the end. Toward the beginning of the novel, she is strong-willed and self-driven, but as the novel progresses, she starts to lose her independence. First she stops caring about herself and focuses only on Beloved, but then at the end, she is completely worn down. When she says "'I'm tired, Paul D. So tired. I have to rest for a while'" (320), she is such a different person than she is in the beginning. She is mentally exhausted, and it came as a shock to me that she broke down in the way that she did.
In the conclusion of my essay, I predicted that because of his ego defenses, Paul D would ultimately lead a very troubled life and find it incredibly hard to keep normal, healthy relationships. The horrors of his past have, up until this point, prohibited him from moving forward and progressing as a person. He has remained chained by the demons of his past and cannot seem to stop them from affecting him. However, in this last chapter, it appears that Paul D begins moving in the right direction. He feels that "[o]nly this woman Sethe could have left him his manhood like that. He wants to put his story next to hers" (322). Finally, Paul D can undo the shackles of his past that have prevented him from being able to fully experience Sethe without sabotaging the relationship. He now can understand a relationship between them that exists in the present, not contingent on his terrible past.
In the last part of the book I was surprised to say how much Denver changed. From being a lost girl that kept to herself, she became social and took her life to another level. She even takes care of both Beloved and her mother. "Denver served them both. Washing, cooking, forcing, cajoling her mother to eat a little now and then, providing sweet things for Beloved as often as she could to calm her down." (295) She matures and finds her way into becoming a woman, meanwhile Sethe is down falling. She becomes responsible and now things very maturely.
Honestly, I believed that Denver would just waste away like Sethe, or that somehow she would be so isolated from Sethe and Beloved that she would regress and hide in her "emerald closet" (45). She proved me wrong and I'm so happy she did! When a neighbor told her to take care of herself, she woke up. She realized she had a self that wasn't connected to snyone. She deserves and realizes that she must work to preserve and build herself. Yay!
The last chapter of Beloved was surprising to say the least, with Sethe breaking the way she did and Denver becoming more independent, I waas fairly surprised. Toni Morission's writing was surprising throughout this whole novel.
After reading these last few chapters, my outlook on Denver has really changed. Although I knew that she was the most educated in her family, I never expected her to be the one to hold her family together, being so proactive and even stopping her mom from attacking Mr. Bodwin. As Paul D. walks back to 124, he sees Denver, she was “Thinner, steady in the eyes, she looked more like Halle than ever. She was the first to smile, “Good morning Mr. D”…Her smile, no longer the sneer he remembered, had welcome in it” (266). Even Denver’s attitude towards Paul D has completely changed. Before, she despised his presence, and was often jealous of him. Now, she seems totally pleasant and later instructs him on how to deal with Sethe when he sees her. I never expected Denver to mature like this, as she is finally acting her age and will even continue to pursue her education. Unlike Sethe, the Beloved experience seems to have made her stronger. She is a lot more stable as she no longer isolates herself within her house and seems to have finally immersed herself within the community. I am very proud of her, and hope that Sethe is able to get her act together and not end up like Baby Suggs.
ReplyDeleteThese last few chapters have changed my outlook on Denver. Before, it seemed like she couldn't deal with the problems she had with Sethe. When she heard that Sethe had killed her own daughter, Denver went deaf, and she had been scared to leave 124 and go into the rest of the world. In addition to getting a job, Denver became the one who took care of Beloved and Sethe by "washing, cooking, forcing, cajoling her mother to eat a little now and then, providing sweet things for Beloved as often as she could to calm her down" (295). Earlier on, it seemed as though Denver couldn't even take care of herself, and now that Sethe is struggling, Denver has had to take care of herself, Sethe, and Beloved. When her family really needed her, she proved that she had the ability to step up and help them. While Sethe seemed to be broken down by her problems with Beloved, the experienced seems to have helped Denver become brave, and more independent. At this point it seems like Denver has switched roles with Sethe, and until reading this chapter I never would have expected this to happen.
ReplyDeleteIt has made me sad to see what Sethe has become. She is basically Baby Suggs and the cycle of her family has come full circle. Sethe used to be so strong and fierce, but the reentry of her dead daughter has seemed to wither her to nothing. She kept on feeding the beast known as Beloved, and fed her until there was nothing left of herself. Paul D. notices this as she says, "I'm tired, Paul D. So tired. I have to rest a while," (320), which makes him realize that she has become Baby Suggs, giving up on life. When Sethe ran from Sweet Home, she was probably very tired what with being pregnant and all, but she never admitted it. She never took a break from trying to protect her kids, and she never ever said that she needed to "rest a while", which shows that Sethe has become defeated. She has become a totally different person that contradicts parts one and two of the novel, and it is very disappointing.
ReplyDeleteThe end of the novel affirmed my prediction that Paul D’s insecurities with his masculinity partly stem from his constant comparisons to Sixo. When Paul D returns to 124, he dwells on how he values himself: “When he looks at himself through Garner’s eyes, he sees one thing. Through Sixo’s, another. One makes him feel righteous. One makes him feel ashamed” (315). Although Paul D meets Mr. Garner’s definition and perspectives of manhood, Sixo serves as Paul D’s primary model of masculinity. Sixo occasionally provides food for the other slaves in Sweet Home and sacrifices his life for the Thirty Mile Woman. Paul D recognizes that unlike Sixo, he cannot assert power and take control of difficult situations, and thus he feels “ashamed” of himself. When Paul D reunites with Sethe, he uses Sixo’s statements about the Thirty Mile Woman to assure himself that Sethe is the only female who can help him overcome his insecurities.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, after having read the ending, I felt as if it only reassured my assumption of Denver. Although it was not as obvious, Denver always kept Sethe, Beloved and 124 "grounded". Therefore when Denver had assumed the role of Sethe and cared for both her and Beloved, it did not not surprised me when she "relieve[d] [Sethe] of" Beloved's "night bucket"(243), and became the strong head of the household. Denver "knew it was on her" (243) in order to care for her mother that was losing who she once was, because of Beloved. The isolation Denver faced would only force her to be the strong willed and strong-minded person who could actually face her fears of Sethe and isolation all at once. This strength only led me to believe that at a certain point, she would either have to face her fears alone and fend for both herself and her family Denver has reinvented herself for the sake of her mother, which quite frankly leaves me content with the ending of the novel.
ReplyDeletePaul D's behavior in the final chapter surprised me because I did not expect that he would be able to care for sethe or fully admit his love for her in a healthy way. I assumed that Paul D would be unable to see past his own issues and his own problems with his past in order to look forward or allow himself true unselfish feelings for sethe, saying that "He wants to put his story next to hers." (322) and that they "need some kind of tomorrow" (322). At the end of the book he is so gentle with her and refers to his memories of Sixo and Halle in a healthy way instead of harshly comparing himself to the memories of their actions.
ReplyDeleteThe last chapters of this reading assignment have affirmed my previous observation of Sethe’s mental illness(the interpretation of the odd behavior that I shall list), which I presume to be bipolar disorder.
ReplyDeleteNote: I believe that Sethe does not perform any altruistic deeds towards her children whatsoever. Sethe is extremely proud, which explains why she killed the baby and later obsessively guarded her(for her ego’s sake, since Beloved was a reflection of herself).
Before, Sethe was incredibly selfish and felt content with only truly loving herself.
Now, Sethe reveals feelings of worthlessness when she reveals that she does not have a sense of self-worth when in reply to Paul D’s statement that “You your best thing, Sethe. You are,” she exclaims in disbelief “Me? Me?”(322). It is unfathomable to Sethe that anyone could ever deem her worthy of love, a total contrast to her prior homicide and almost indecipherable letting go of Paul D, amongst other inhumane actions.
This chapter completely changed my perception of Denver. I never thought she could be capable of any type of independence because of her past experiences and her upbringing. That's one of the reasons I did not like her character, I felt that every time she had a chance of being independent she choose not to but in this chapter she begins to makes the first move, which totally changes my view on her. This chapter reveals Denver making the first move because she was the only hope that her mother had left, "she stood on the porch of 124 ready to be swallowed up in the world beyond the edge of the porch...it would happen again" (286-287). Her step of independence revealed her true self and how smart she was all along.
ReplyDeleteThe last chapters have completely altered the way I view Denver. I wrote in the essay about how much Denver lacked any semblance of independence and how much it has stunted her growth. Well, in the last chapters she makes the leap, by realizing that the future of her family lies in her hands. She realizes how taxing the relationship between Beloved and Sethe has been, "She saw themselves beribboned, decked-out, limp and starving but locked in a love that wore everybody out."(286) For her to take this step towards her own independence, by seeking out the help and getting herself a job is remarkable and was unforeseen to say the least.
ReplyDeleteDenver is the character that intrigued me the most since the beginning of the novel. Her overprotective and possessive nature over Sethe and Beloved that was shown was interesting because she did it not only for love, but of fear. She feared that whatever triggered Sethe into wanting to kill her children and kill Beloved would come back, therefore she cared for Sethe very protectively. At the same time she was caring for herself, meaning protecting herself from Sethe. In regards to Beloved, Denver's intention was also to protect her from Sethe. Denver kind of viewed her mother as the antagonist of her life throughout all these years. But when things took a turn, Denver realizes that it is Beloved whom she should be aware of. Her overprotective role shift from protecting Beloved from Sethe to protecting Sethe from Beloved. Denver sympathizing with the experiences of people she care of shows an understanding and compassionate side of her. She "understood the connection between her mother and Beloved" and "seeing her mother diminished ashamed and infuriated her" (295). At first, I thought Denver would have protected Beloved more and side with her even through all this fiasco that they are going through. I was wrong, I underestimated Denver's intelligence and wisdom for a girl who was has been isolated for most of her life. She even knew that she had to go out and ask for help. But she would do so by finding a job and working not just receiving the help without really working hard for it. Her understanding that her presence in the household has no influence whatsoever motivated her to go out there to a world she lacks knowledge of. Although she does not know she has a self and acts based on the needs of others. her selfless acts and reasons empower her. She becomes independent out of those acts and reasons of empowerment.
ReplyDeleteIn the last part of the novel, my views on Denver have completely changed. Often viewing Denver as dependent and reliant on Sethe, taking the role as head of the family was shocking. Given that she was afraid of Sethe for her whole life, taking it upon herself to care for her mother proves as to how mature Denver has become as a person. Though Denver has not left 124 on her own for over 9 years, she gains confidence through Baby Suggs telling her to "Know it, and go on out that yard. Go on." (288) As Denver hears Baby Suggs telling her to go out the boarders of 124 signifies the restart of the position of power in the family much like how Sethe had to take the role as head of the family. However, I believe the differ nor between Denver becoming the head of the family now is that it is a role which she personally took on, rather than Sethe who was forced into the position.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteInitially, Denver felt threatened by Sethe because she fears her own mother killing her as well. Therefore, ever since Beloved’s arrival, Denver felt obligated to protect her from Sethe. I wrote about how this was a form of projection where Denver projects her fear of her own mother to Beloved. I thought Denver’s fears would worsen to the point where she might even contemplate on killing Sethe. However, because of how Sethe’s relationship with Beloved turned out, the complete opposite happens. I was surprised when Denver changed from ,”protecting Beloved from Sethe, changed to protecting her mother from Beloved” (286). This proved my prediction wrong and fortunately for Denver, things started to get better for her. She did not succumb to her objective anxiety and she also became a more responsible individual.
At the end of my Beloved essay, I had made the prediction that if Sethe were to continue being altruistic, she would eventually hurt herself and others in order to protect her children. This partly came true when her and Beloved's roles became reversed. It was as though Beloved became the adult and Sethe the child, when "[a] complaint came from Beloved, an apology from Sethe" (283). Her masochism was clearly shown when she claimed that "Beloved was more important, meant more to her than her own life" (284). Sethe continues to put the needs of her children, or in this case just Beloved, above her own and this eventually leads to her wasting away to the point where the "flesh between her...forefinger and thumb was as thin as china silk" (281). Not only does Sethe hurt herself, but she also attempts to hurt others when she believes they "coming for her best thing" (308), Beloved.
ReplyDelete"When once or twice Sethe tried to assert herself--and be the unquestioned mother whose word was law and who knew what was beast--Beloved slammed things, wiped the table clean of plates, threw salt on the floor, broke a windowpane." (285)
ReplyDeleteBeloved in human form throughout all of part 2 seemed to be benevolent (at least, physically) with only a slight undertone of something evil beneath. I did see it as somewhat manipulative when Beloved was "moving" Paul D throughout 124. However, this quote seems eerily similar to another Beloved, one from far earlier in the novel: the baby ghost. The ghost was "spiteful" and often would reek havoc on Sethe and Denver before Paul D beat the ghost away. So, in this respect, it seems that this new perspective on the person Beloved has only affirmed the traits of her character from her original form as a ghost in part 1. What's more, this new behavior (which is not limited to physical abuse and also includes starving Sethe by was of guilt) also reveals the anger toward Sethe that one would expect from the ghost (as Sethe took the baby's life away before the baby could understand why).
The last chapter changed my previous interpretations of Sethe's behavior. I had believed that Sethe had an obsession to protect her children, but now it seems like she needed them to protect her, and keep her company. I believe when Sethe fell under Beloved's spell, jeopardizing her and Beloved's health, she was only doing this so Beloved would forgive her and stay. I think if Beloved stayed Sethe would take that as confirmation that she is a good mother.
ReplyDelete"She comes in the daytime. Denver. She's still with me, my Denver"(320). I think that this quote shows that Sethe needs the company of at least one her children at all times, because when Beloved was obsessing over her she completely forgot about Denever, but now that Beloved is gone she calls Denver hers, the only child that has stayed with her through everything.
At the end of my Beloved paper I predicted that Sethe would go crazy if her children left her to live alone. In the end I was proven wrong because Sethe ends up going crazy because of her children. She needed them to leave her so she could get her life back. They actually drained the life from her, " The flesh between her mother's forefinger and thumb was thin as China silk and there wasn't a piece of clothing in the house that didn't sag on her" (281). Sethe's kids were the worst thing for her and needed her too much. They put themselves before her and were ready to drive her insane for their own gain. I used to think of Sethe as a strong character but now I see that she really can't handle the situation she is in.
ReplyDeleteIn this chapter, I was very shocked to see how much Sethe has changed since the beginning of the novel. I expected Sethe to remain the strong independent women she showed us in the beginning but now she is completely worn down and weak. Sethe "pleaded fro forgiveness, counting, listing again and again her reasons: that Beloved was more important, meant more to her than her own life. That she would trade places any day. Give up her life, every minute and hour of it, to take back just one of Beloveds tears" (284). Although Sethes kids mean the world to her especially Beloved, but you never seen her beg anyone in the novel for her forgiveness so much as she wants it from Beloved.
ReplyDeleteI never expected Sethe to break. She has always been such a strong willed individual with such an armored heart whose eyes can break through anyone. However, in this chapter she finally broke. She was trying so hard to please Beloved and to get her forgiveness yet she was incapable of getting it. It goes, "And Sethe cried, saying she never did, or meant to--that she had to get them out, away, that she had the milk all the time and had the money too for the stone but not enough" (284). In addition it goes, "Sethe pleaded for forgiveness, counting, listing again and again her reasons: that Beloved was more important, meant more to her than her own life..." (284). Sethe is trying so hard to get her forgiveness that she's putting her own life on the line. She has lost her iron eyes and has lost her armored heart. She is not as strong willed as she used to be. She feels that she owes Beloved everything including her own life.
ReplyDeleteThis last chapter altered my perception of Denver. Initially, I thought that Denver would be negatively impacted by Sethe's obsessive need to please Beloved. In the beginning of the novel, Denver was lonely because she didn't have a close relationship with her mother, who was the only person she could interact with. When Paul D arrived, Sethe began letting her guard down, isolating Denver once more. Because Denver had yearned for company for so long, I believed she would remain depend throughout the novel, though this was disproved after Beloved and Sethe began arguing. In fact, "The job [Denver] started out with, protecting Beloved from Sethe, changed to protecting her mother from Beloved" (287). Although Denver was isolated once more in the beginning if part three, I saw how much Denver had grown, separating herself from Beloved and Sethe's volatile relationship to become independent enough to protect her mother.
ReplyDeleteEntire time I thought that Sethe is the one that is protective towards he family and her kids. I think this couple of last chapters showed me that Denver is actually holding things together. "Denver serve them both"(295) she was like a servant to her, and not as a daughter. It seems that Sethe, that I thought is protective over Denver, is actually only interested in Beloved, and how Beloved feels "Sethe was trying to make up for handsaw; Beloved was making her pay for it."(295). MY opinion changed over Sethe and Denver, because now I see that Sethe is only interested in Beloved forgiving her, while Denver is interested in keeping things together.
ReplyDeleteThis last chapter refuted my previous as thoughts about what would happen to Paul D. I thought that he would suffer throughout the continuation of his life, but he does in fact turn himself around. Upon realized that Sethe is his "thirty mile women" he knew that he wants to be with her. Around her "he did not have to fell the shame of being collard like a beast"(322). Sethe is able to alleviate the pain he feels. Paul D has a very troubling past filled with many degrading experiences that have definitely left him with some trauma.
ReplyDeleteIn the closing chapters of Beloved, my beliefs about Denver have completely flip-flopped. Denver went from a scared, dependent child to a brave, independent woman who has ventured outside 124 for a job. Denver is now able to deal with her mother's problems and wants to help in any way she can. In addition to taking care of Sethe, Denver now also tends to Beloved "providing sweet things for Beloved as often as she could to calm her down" (295). The difference between now and when Beloved first showed up to 124 is that Denver was taking care of Beloved in order to be a mother figure, now I think Denver is simply tending to Sethe and Beloved not only because she CAN but because she actually wants to help them. I think Denver has progressively become more altruistic. In my eyes, Denver has gone to a completely self-centered individual who kept to herself, to someone who is more selfless and willing to help others. With that said, I believe that this Denver has switched roles with the Sethe we knew earlier in the novel who was trying to be this selfless hero, but this time I think Denver is doing it for all the right reasons, not just to make up for past mistakes.
ReplyDeleteThe ending was surprising to me in regards to Denver getting her life on track and continuing down her path to a decent future. Previously, I thought that her ending would be tragic in someway, I don't know why but I thought Morrison would feel compelled to kill her off violently or subjugate her to a horrible fate. But no, Denver prevails and leaves 124, which by itself is a minor miracle. She finds Lady Jones and reengages with the community and really gets her life together even with her family life crumbling around her. Denver is even receiving an education as her mother distraughtly falls apart in 124. "Miss Bodwin taught her stuff. He asked her what stuff and she laughed and said book stuff. 'She says I might go to Oberlin'" (314). I was surprised by Denver's ability to overcome her situation and at the same time, I applaud Morrison for not taking out everyone's problems on Denver because she's an easy target.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by Sethe's transformation from the beginning of the novel to the end. Toward the beginning of the novel, she is strong-willed and self-driven, but as the novel progresses, she starts to lose her independence. First she stops caring about herself and focuses only on Beloved, but then at the end, she is completely worn down. When she says "'I'm tired, Paul D. So tired. I have to rest for a while'" (320), she is such a different person than she is in the beginning. She is mentally exhausted, and it came as a shock to me that she broke down in the way that she did.
ReplyDeleteIn the conclusion of my essay, I predicted that because of his ego defenses, Paul D would ultimately lead a very troubled life and find it incredibly hard to keep normal, healthy relationships. The horrors of his past have, up until this point, prohibited him from moving forward and progressing as a person. He has remained chained by the demons of his past and cannot seem to stop them from affecting him. However, in this last chapter, it appears that Paul D begins moving in the right direction. He feels that "[o]nly this woman Sethe could have left him his manhood like that. He wants to put his story next to hers" (322). Finally, Paul D can undo the shackles of his past that have prevented him from being able to fully experience Sethe without sabotaging the relationship. He now can understand a relationship between them that exists in the present, not contingent on his terrible past.
ReplyDeleteIn the last part of the book I was surprised to say how much Denver changed. From being a lost girl that kept to herself, she became social and took her life to another level. She even takes care of both Beloved and her mother. "Denver served them both. Washing, cooking, forcing, cajoling her mother to eat a little now and then, providing sweet things for Beloved as often as she could to calm her down." (295) She matures and finds her way into becoming a woman, meanwhile Sethe is down falling. She becomes responsible and now things very maturely.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I believed that Denver would just waste away like Sethe, or that somehow she would be so isolated from Sethe and Beloved that she would regress and hide in her "emerald closet" (45). She proved me wrong and I'm so happy she did! When a neighbor told her to take care of herself, she woke up. She realized she had a self that wasn't connected to snyone. She deserves and realizes that she must work to preserve and build herself. Yay!
ReplyDeleteThe last chapter of Beloved was surprising to say the least, with Sethe breaking the way she did and Denver becoming more independent, I waas fairly surprised. Toni Morission's writing was surprising throughout this whole novel.
ReplyDelete