28 Days of Freedom

I always hear people advocate for how important it is to be a part of a community in which everyone looks out for one another. When you have people around you that have your best interest in mind, there are less obstacles you have to face on your own. When Sethe first arrived at 124, she was welcomed by the community. She had 28 days of freedom in which she had friends to support her. No one immediately withdrew from her or decided that Sethe would not be accepted. It was not until Baby Suggs threw a huge party that they became jealous. They felt that Baby Suggs’ feast was a way for her to show everyone that she was above them. Because of their resentment towards the family at the time, they decided not warn Baby Suggs' family of the schoolteacher's arrival. After the four horsemen arrived, Sethe did what she felt was best for children, and for her it meant that she had to kill them. No one in the community looked at Sethe the same after these events. Sethe and Denver had no one to rely on besides themselves. This is an example how important it is that the community in which you belong is secure. When there is tension between the members, problems arise that affect the well being of others. The black community in Cincinnati knew how hard it was for people like them to survive in society. Even though they should have been protecting each other, they left out Baby Suggs and her family causing them to face years of hardship and sadness.