Within the novel, Sethe, Denver, Beloved, and Baby Suggs represent different aspects of feminity and the various roles women played within the society at that time. Each character is very complex and layered with veils of mystery surrounding them. On a first impression, Sethe would be an independent adult women, Denver is an adolescent, Beloved is a baby, and Baby Suggs is the ultimate caregiver. But the more you learn about the women, you can see that all of them embody the different roles each possess. Sethe is childlike in the sense that she won't accept her past and has a very narrow view of the present world. Like a young girl, she has a hard time facing her previous flaws and prefers to focus on the now. Even though she killed her baby, she is still a motherly figure and cares for her young. She knows the terrible life slaves lead and she sacrificed her baby to save her from that pain. She was wrong to do it but she did it from a place of love, not spite or cruelty.
Denver is mostly a child, but her relationship with Beloved exposes her to the world of adulthood. Her sheltered life with Sethe has hindered her from becoming an independent woman. But with Beloved, she is learning what it is like to not constantly have attention, and what is means to be responsible for another person's well being. She is dual child and adult because while she depends on Beloved, she also has to take care of her. That sense of care giving may have come from her grandmother, Baby Suggs, because for years she was a parent to everyone who came to her. She was able to lift people up and make them feel as if they were apart of something during her sermons. Even though she was a leader and cherished by those around her, the years of slavery she endured kept part of her mind in almost an infant state. As a baby, one is not able to form an identity, and slavery stripped Suggs of hers.
You have a really cool perspective on the women in the story! I agree that while there are the more forefront roles that each woman fits into, they are each much more complex under closer inspection. I think that Beloved is the most interesting character, mostly because of her mysterious background and way of behaving.
ReplyDeleteYou have a very interesting perspective on the women in the story! I think that over time, Sethe and Beloved have switched roles. Sethe has become more childish, while Beloved has progressed to being the adult. I agree that slavery strips Sethe and Baby Suggs of their identity, but maybe Beloved can grow now that she is back with her family. Perhaps the reversal of roles is supposed to show that Sethe cannot fully regain her humanity after being a slave, but Beloved can form her own identity as a "reborn" child.
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