Toni Morrison's Beloved demonstrates community dynamics and what the roles of the individuals are within the community. Pre-Sethe's outburst, Baby Suggs was largely the mother or grandmother figure of the community and treated all of her neighbors as well as one would treat family. She protected them, aided them, and fed them in many instances. Baby Suggs was very much a giving person that, after her death, was missed dearly by the entire community. Her last moment of giving came when she hosted a dinner for the whole town.
The community feast in the novel was a spontaneous event planned for the sole purpose of sharing good food with the community. Thanksgiving, while not nearly as spontaneous, is a holiday meant to achieve the same purpose. The feeling of connection and support at the feast was created by the communal effort of preparing the meal. In my family, this same group participation is present, each person bringing a different dish. The care free nature of the feast and the love that the characters shared really emphasizes the true purpose of Thanksgiving, to be thankful for the people in the world that you love and care for you and for everything that the world has given you.
I hope you have a nice Thanksgiving, Sofie. You're right! In a twisted way, Beloved is full of familial love (biological or not). It definitely shows in the feast and in the talk of Baby Suggs' home before the murder, and in the violence that comes from love.
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