Storytelling In Beloved

Story telling is what most of the book consists of. I think that the characters use storytelling as a way to self-soothe themselves and give closure at the same time. But while storytelling might be a way to keep memories alive, I believe the book also shows how storytelling can lead to sadness and being left hurt. 

Storytelling gives Denver joy especially when the story is about herself. For her it is a way to connect to her past and it reveals her ancestry and heritage. As for Sethe, Paul D, and Baby Suggs story telling is a way to talk through their life. I think they use it as a way to appreciate and also remember that life is good and bad. In order to not forget their past and remember where they came from storytelling is the best way to keep that alive.

While storytelling can have its perks the book also calls that memories are not always good. Memories are painful as well. As for painful memories so far we see that these painful memories mostly strike Sethe and Paul D. We can see that some of their storytelling brings painful memories, preventing them from moving one. One instant where this happens to them both is when they wake the next morning after spending the night together.