Another Behated Part of Slavery

Along with the many obvious reasons to hate slavery is one that I, personally, never even thought of: the lack of gender roles. What are these "gender roles", you may be wondering? In today's society, while we may try to deny it, we still have very distinct perceptions on what a true man or woman is. The men are the ones who are supposed to be strong and tough and protective over the females in their lives. The women, on the other hand, are thought of as being daintier and eager to be mothers. 

These characteristics that we subconsciously pair up with each gender are stripped from the enslaved people in Beloved. Paul D. tells Sethe that Halle was there when she got her milk stolen from her. She is immediately in disbelief and wonders why he would not say or do anything to *protect her*. Here is where things get horribly sad. 

Halle knew that he could not speak up for the woman he loved, even if it was what society would expect, because of the consequences that would come with such an act or rebellion. So, he turns into a complete mess, rubbing butter on his face. He has no ability to be the "man" he wishes to be. 

On the other hand, Sethe cannot be a true woman. Earlier in the story, she is told that she cannot have a wedding. And, in the part of the book mentioned above, she is forced to accept the harshness from her masters instead of have control over her actions and sexual desires. 

As if slavery couldn't do any more... It's truly a shame that Sethe has to find out that her husband, the man in her life, was forced to be cowardly. Does she feel pity for him since he was not able to be the "man" and help her? Or is she angry that he simply wasn't the "man" in that situation and she had to suffer all alone? It's very hard to know.