The Beloved, by Toni Morrison | Summary and Analysis

The Beloved, by Toni Morrison | Summary and Analysis 124 was spiteful. 124 was loud. 124 was quiet. The house 124 that Sethes family lives in is haunted by the ghost of the baby who drives her two sons away as well as the rest of the neighbourhood. Paul D, an old friend from Sweet Home, visits 124 in search of Baby Suggs, Sethes mother-in-law, only to find she died eight years ago. Paul D is invited into the house where he meets Denver and senses the evilness of Beloved, however the ghost is soon sent away after Paul Ds arrival which upsets Denver and causes her to act coldly towards him. Recalling memories of Sweet Home of Sethes marriage to Halle, the other men at Sweet Home and Sethes escape, the notion of a future with Paul D crossed Sethes mind. That Thursday the three of them went to the carnival in town which made all three happy, however on return to 124 they found a woman sat on a tree stump who said her name was Beloved which excited Denver for she now had the company she longed for. Denver went out of her way to make Beloved feel better and although Denver loved her, Paul D thought there was something strange about her. Beloved continued to ask Sethe and Denver of their past and Denvers birth. Denver told Beloved about Baby Suggs, her Grandmother, and about the Clearing where Baby Suggs used to preach. The three women headed towards the Clearing for Sethe to think, however she was choked by someone or something who she thought was Baby Suggs. Denver thought otherwise and thought it was Beloved who choked her. Beloved seduces Paul D after he believes she has driven himself and Sethe apart. This leads Paul D to ask for him and Sethe to have a child together, thinking that this would relieve Beloveds power over him. Howev er, Paul D is infuriated by Beloved as she waits for Sethe to return home from work, which strengthens Sethes belief of Beloved being her child she gave birth to and breaks the romance between the couple because she wants Paul D to leave. In flashback, the memory of Sethe murdering her baby is then evoked. It was Stamp Paid, an old friend, who took the dead baby from Sethe and gave her Denver before Sethe was placed in custody. Then in present, Stamp visits Paul D and shows him a newspaper clipping of when Sethe murdered the baby. In disbelief, he insults Sethe and leaves her. Sethe took Baby Suggs advice; lay it all down and so she did. The three of them went ice skating and laughed endlessly resulting in Sethe to go late to work the next day, and she did so for the following weeks until she was fired. Feeling guilty for sending Paul D away, Stamp argues with Ella after finding out she didnt offer Paul D a place to stay and he was staying at the church, recalling memories of Sweet Home. Feeling she was responsible for the silence and hunger at 124, Denver felt it was only right that she left 124. All three grew tired therefore in search for a better life, Denver received help from Lady Jones and the rest of the neighbourhood. During the day she looked after Sethe She and in the evenings worked for the Bodwins. However, on the first day of work, when Edward Bodwin came to collect her, the ladies of the neighbourhood gathered together at 124. As Edward arrived, Sethe thought of him as a man who wanted slaves and attacked him with an ice pick, leaving Beloved standing on the porch alone but as everybody looked back, there was nobody standing on the porch. After the incident, Paul D came back into Denver and Sethes lives and they all forgot Beloved and thought of her as an unpleasant dream. Narrative Style This novel is written in third person singular with an omniscient style but however shifts to first person singular; Sethe had the amazing luck of six whole years of marriages to that somebody son who had fathered every one of her children and I never had to give it to nobody else and the one time I did it was took from me they held me down and took it. The pronouns he and she are frequently used and characters are continuously addressed by their names. The novel is also written in flashback whilst describing Sethes escape and the birth of Denver to Beloved. Flashback is also found when she recalls memories of Sweet Home with Paul D and when Paul D has memories of his brothers. Also there is a chapter written in stream of consciousness relating to Beloveds thoughts; I am not big small rats do not wait for us to sleep someone is thrashing but there is no room to do it in à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Character Analysis Denver: is an independent, selfless young lady. This is shown through her care and devotion to Beloved when she arrives at the house sick. She is also a determined girl that devotes her time to her family, especially her mother when she is sick. Denver is an independent woman as her independence is shown when she seeks a job to support her family when her mother lost her job. Sethe: is a very kind and compassionate woman as she is devoted to her family, even during the hardest situations. This is shown because she was a slave in her past at Sweet Home and she escaped for her family. It is also portrayed when she went hungry and picked the crusts for her children to eat, especially Beloved. She is also a very proud woman as she is determined to endure the correct way of marriage at Sweet Home when marrying Halle this is shown when Sethe is adamant on having a wedding dress on the first night they are together. Beloved: at first is portrayed as a helpless woman, seeking attention and love. This is given to her by Denver as she cures her from her sickness by devoting her time. However, Beloved then becomes an untrustworthy, selfish woman. Her selfishness is shown manipulation, as she deceives Sethe by acting upon her guilt. She doesnt forgive Sethe for her past and forces power upon her to give her what she wants. Language Diction Beloved is a descriptive novel that uses informal language often including slang and vulgarity throughout dialogue. The language and diction also reflects the speech of Afro-Americans for example; Beloved, she my daughter. She mine. Long sentences are used to describe feelings and objects, for example; Although they had been polite to her during the quiet time and gave her the whole top of the bed, she remembered how it was before: the pleasure they had sitting clustered on the white stairs she between the knees of Howard or Buglar while they made up die-witch! stories with proven ways of killing her dead. Short sentences are used more often during dialogue such as; Now you. Come on, and Come on in here girls. Short sentences are also used to make impact and emphasize the meaning, for instance; 124 was spiteful. Full of a babys venom. Imagery The imagery is evident throughout the novel because all stimuli are aroused. Tactile imagery is evident when Paul D touches Sethe in the kitchen as he rubbed his cheek on her back and learned that way her sorrow. There is a sense of smell when the roses at the carnival are described; the closer the roses got to death, the louder their scent and stench of the rotten roses. Visual imagery is foreseen throughout the novel when the keeping room is described and how Baby Suggs was starved for colour. One can imagine the slate-coloured walls and the earth-brown floor and the dullness of the room. Auditory imagery is evident when Denver can hear chickens and the knock of a badly hinged gate as well as voices behind her as she walked. Taste imagery is evident when the numerous offers of foods are found on the tree stump each day, each meal provided by a different neighbour; sack of white beans, plate of cold rabbit meat, Taste imagery is also found during a memory of 124 of tonic mixed that cured a relative, as one can imagine the strength of the mixture. Themes The theme of evil is represented throughout the novel by Beloved, as a ghost and as a person. This is evident when the ghost of Beloved chases away her two brothers, Howard and Buglar as well as other people who use to walk along Bluestone Road. The evil represented through Beloved as a human being is when she manipulates Sethe and causes pain for Sethe, although Sethe only seeks forgiveness. A theme of religion is also apparent throughout the novel as God and Jesus are constantly being referred to. It is carried throughout the novel by Baby Suggs from her preaching at the Clearing then Paul D and at the end of the novel, by Denver who was given a Bible by Lady Jones. Setting This novel is set in America mainly 124 Bluestone Road. This is evident because Sethe escaped to Ohio to number 124 where Baby Suggs was living in Cincinnati. The novel is also set at a place called Sweet Home. Sweet Home is brought into the novel whilst Sethe has flashbacks of her past before she escaped. The setting is also evident because of the diction used whilst a character speaks. Genre The genre is a family drama because of the life experiences the family endure. All adult characters in the novel were previously slaves who had escaped and Baby Suggs was bought by her own sons earnings. Sethe also experienced her childs death before her own. After this, her dead daughter came back to 124 but tormented her by using her guilt against her. The novel is also an Afro-American genre because of diction used during speech and first person narrative style. Aspects I liked I enjoyed the fact that Sethe escaped from the hardships of being a slave at Sweet Home and that her present is better because she left the home. I also enjoyed the fact that Denver devoted her time to Beloved and that Sethe and Denver were accepting of her when they found Beloved sat outside their house. I didnt enjoy the fact that Paul D just left Sethe from his jealousy of Sethes love towards Beloved and his negativity and disloyalty towards Beloved. I also didnt enjoy the fact that Beloved turned against Sethe and starting making her pay for her past even though Sethe felt apologetic and guilty for what she had done and now only wanted to give Beloved the best. I was happy that Denver did everything she could to protect Sethe from Beloveds nastiness and glad when Denver and Sethe could forget the torment and pain Beloved caused. Recommendations I would recommend this novel to any high school children that is not easily offended by vulgar language but whoever understands the change from past to present as the novel is written in flashback making it a difficult read. I would also recommend this novel to one who enjoys reading about the hardships of life and devastation that can be caused in the future from mistakes in the past, affecting not just one person but a whole family.

Personal Narrative - The Day My Mother Went to the Hospital :: Personal Narrative essay about myself

The Day My Mother Went to the Hospital During second period math class, the PA comes on. I hear "David Higgins to the office for an early dismissal, Please". Being as I was only in the second grade, I rushed to the office, only to see my God Mother waiting for me. She tells me that we have to go pick up my other two brothers at pre-school. I asked her why, but, she only responded with "I'll explain later". So I followed her to the car and hopped in. We rushed to Mitzpah, where the pre-school my brothers were in was. We picked up my two younger brothers and rushed to my God Mothers home in Millville. My God Mother then explained that my father would not be home for a while, being as he was rushing to Cooper Hospital to see my mother. At this point in time, being of such a young age, I started to block out a lot of what she was telling us all. I only remember a little bit of that period of time because of my memory block. When my father had come home from the hospital, he told us all that our mother had been envlolved in a serious car accident, and that she wouldn't be home for a few weeks. I don't remember very much after that, except for the fact that the period of time my mother was in the hospital fell on her birthday. So, all of the family, except me, sat down next to the stereo. My father plugged in a microphone, popped in a blank cassestte and hit record. Each one of the children started to sing "Happy Birthday", then ended with a personal message. My father then recorded his message. I was in so much shock and horror that I didn't want to record anything. I was under the belief that my mother wasn't coming home at all. My family kept trying to get me to record something, but, I refused. After about a week or two of my mother being in the hospital, the whole family got in the car, and went to visit her. Being as it was a very large hospital,

Mean Creek- Important Idea

Explain an important idea in a text you have studied. Explain why you found it interesting. Discuss visual and verbal techniques in your answer. In the film Mean Creek directed by Jacob Aaron Estes, the important idea of loss of innocence is very interesting as it tells the story and shows us how quickly things can change. The director shows us this through the way the characters change during the burial of George, the word â€Å"snap† written in a tree and the guilt felt by Millie and Sam. Firstly I found the important idea of loss of innocence interesting during the burial of George as this is when they lose their innocence.When they decide to bury Georges body the character all lose what innocence they had left. This is shown as everyone help besides Millie who doesn’t want to have a part in it. At this moment the director uses a combination of dark lighting and close up shots of Millie’s partially hidden face in the shadows of the trees to show how dark and l ost Millie has become since the death of George. She is hiding from the truth and wants to act like nothing is going to change. The director also uses a slow sad chelo during this scene as lament like, it is a metaphor for the death of Millie’s and everyone else’s innocence.Millie is already starting to feel guilty as she earlier in the film stated â€Å"go ahead Clyde start the game†. This shows she does not feel innocent at all but does not want to admit it. When Millie is by herself instead of helping with the burial a foley effect is used as she stabs a snail followed by sudden silence. This was Millie’s was to let at all her frustration and anger on the events that have occurred and her own actions which contributed in Georges death. This scene helps makes the important idea interesting as it is the moment when they all lose their innocence.Secondly I found the important idea interesting through the way Millie carved the word â€Å"snap† into a tree. At the start of the film when Millie and Sam are innocently talking about what George did to Sam, Millie says â€Å"If you could snap your fingers and he would drop dead in his tracks would you? A wide shot is used to show George sitting down by himself, this shows how lonely he is and makes us actually feel sympathy towards him. This is followed by silence which shows how Sam doesn’t want to hurt George. This emphasises the innocence of Sam as he did not wish to do anything which could result in the death of George.This Quote foreshadows the death of George. As a viewer tension builds u as we wait the events that link to the death. After the death of George, Millie engraves the word â€Å"Snap† into a tree. This is significant as it shows how life can change as fast as the snap of the fingers. A foley effect is used on the scratching of the knife on the tree to show Millie’s anger and how she feels they have not only turned flipped there life upside do wn but they took a life and destroyed Georges relatives lives. The foley effect turns your attention the Millie as the viewer anticipates what she is writing . e now see how just 24 hours before they were all living a normal happy life but now they are emotionally distort and stumped for a conclusion of what to do. The word snap makes the important idea of loss of innocence interesting as it shows how fast they have totally lost their innocence. Lastly loss of innocence is seen as interesting as Millie and Sam come out and talk about what has happened. When Sam goes to Millie’s room we notice a great change in her personality and feelings. Millie is no longer a bright happy person as we now see her as a frightened little girl.The director uses dark lighting and a wide shot to shows as Millie steering into the mirror. When Millie is steering into the mirror it is silent as she looks frustrated and confused as if she thinks her appearance should have change but everything looks the same as if nothing has happened. When Sam talks to Millie a combination of dark lighting and close up shots of Millie’s half hidden face in the darkness of her bedroom show us how miserable she looks as she is hiding from the truth and is in denial of the fact that their life has changed. What do you want†, â€Å"I was just there† shows us how Millie does not want to accept the truth as well as the consequences of her actions but knows she can not live with all the guilt. Millie was trying to act like she feels innocent but the remorseful ton in her voice suggests otherwise. Sam and Millie know they are not innocent as the guilt inside them grows and makes them wonder if keeping George’s death a secret is the best thing to do. When we become doctors and lawyers and all that what do you think it will be like? † The director follows this question with silence to show how they both think telling the truth and accepting the consequences will be best . This makes us feel sorry for them and it is as if some of their innocence has come back to them as we are reminded of the fact that they are still children when they talk about their future and that they have â€Å"come to a decision† of telling the truth which is what they wanted in the first place.In conclusion I found the important idea of loss of innocence very interesting as the director takes as on a roller-coaster of feelings as kids make the biggest decision of their lives. With the burial of George, the word â€Å"Snap† and the guilt felt by Sam and Millie the children’s innocence is lost but they regain some as they come to the correct conclusion. The interesting idea of loss of innocence shows us how fast some of the most innocent people feel guilty and how people can unintentionally lose their innocence in a matter of minutes.

The End Of 2002 And My High School - 1679 Words

Matthew Hays Professor Belknap English 111, 8:00 08/14/2014 Outsider It s the end of 2002 and my high school is finally out for winter break, but I don t want to go home. My parents divorce has become a long drawn out affair. Mom wants the house, Dad doesn t want to stay on any of the credit cards. They try to play nice in front of us kids but I m 14 years old, I know what s going on. Everyday we watch quietly as our parents slink around the house like strange cats, scowling and grimacing when one thinks the other might be looking. The silence between them muffles everything like a heavy blanket. Even the cars driving by outside seem to pass more quietly, as though afraid to draw attention to themselves. Every minute drags by, it†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Cheer up!† my father tells me as he bustles around the apartment, â€Å"You re going to love California.† Two weeks later I find myself standing in a strange yard, outside a strange building that my father tells me is home. The sky is an offensive clear blue and it s so humid that I m almost surprised the car isn t rusting in half before my eyes. The next day brings the news that I have hoped for months would never come, I start at my new high school on Tuesday. The very idea of school has become something hateful, something to make my stomach turn when I get careless and let my thoughts wander. Two thousand new faces, no friends for a thousand miles in any direction and everyone else has had a month to get comfortable already? I feel as though my time would be better spent running with scissors or playing in the street. Anything would be better than this feeling of impending doom. My desperate pleas for an alternative have failed, nothing but uncompromising cruelty is good enough for my father. No home school, no online school, no GED and now it s my first day. On the ride to school my stomach seems to have come to the same conclusion my head did a month ago. Every step makes me feel as though my insides are trying to escape my body. I arrive late to my first class having been lost in the maze of buildings that dot the campus. The biology room is foreign to me in every way. The desks are absent and in their place are what look like