Beloved by Toni Morrison has a very interesting theme of constantly switching perspectives and times in the characters lives. In one moment, the characters will be in the present, then suddenly you will be shot back to a memory where there isn't just one narrator. For example, there is a scene right after Paul D and Sethe have sex where they are laying together, and she turns over, and you are suddenly in a memory. Sethe recounts when she gets married to Halle, and the first time they had sex. This scene takes place first in Mrs. Garner's house, then in Sethe's shed when they get married, then in the corn fields. During this scene, some of the corn breaks, with the rest of the boys get to eat. During this section, the perspective changes a little when each of the boys talk about how they wanted their corn.
In a way, I like the fact that you learn so many stories in the novel through this particular method is interesting, but I would be lying to you if I didn't find it frustrating at some times. One moment, I will know exactly what is happening in the book, and then Sethe will change perspectives or jump back to a memory, and sometimes I haven't noticed for half a page. Then I stop and realize I am totally lost, and have to read the last two pages again. Additionally, the concept of Beloved confuses me sometimes. Sometimes she is having full conversations with Denver, and sometimes she isn't there, but her force is throwing their dog against the wall. Hopefully this confusion will dissipate as I continue reading the book.
I find the way Toni Morrison wrote this book very interesting as well. I like how the point of view switches add a level of complexity to the novel. Sometime I find it hard to follow when both Sethe and Paul D's perspectives are somewhat joined. However, it makes the novel that much more interesting.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I like how Morrison constantly switches perspectives. I think she does it too much, in my opinion, but it is definitely unique from other books I read.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. While sometimes it is frustrating, I think that Morrison writes in this manner for a reason. From my experience, when I read "Beloved," I get lost in the story. While I do have to reread once in a while, I feel totally immersed and I forget about whatever is happening around me. I think Morrison wrote her novel in a way that models the human mind. Everyone thinks in different ways, but the mind is always wandering. You can never just focus on one story or one detail; everything fits into a web that creates one larger story. Morrison's writing is fascinating and enticing in a way that I have never experienced.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with what you said. At the beginning, it took me almost double the time to read the book because i was getting so confused about time and perspective shifts. Now I really enjoy the style that Toni Morrison writes in. This book had a way of dragging me in and keeping me captivated way more than The Stranger did.
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