As Sethe is on a boat with water from the Ohio River seeping in, Amy helps deliver Denver. Once she crosses the Ohio river, Sethe is considered truly free. Denver's birth occurring in the waters of Sethe's liberation is no coincidence. For Sethe, Denver is living proof of her freedom. Throughout the novel, Denver has helped Sethe immensely. She has stayed by her side while her brother left them and Baby Suggs then died off. For Sethe, Denver is a reminder of her bravery to escape while pregnant and choice to take control of her and her family's future. Historically, slave mothers had their children taken away. The children died young, were sold, or the family got separated during escape. Sethe's ability to escape and stay with her daughter shows true freedom. Not only their living under the same roof, but the close relationship they share contradicts the lives of most slave mothers who lost their children. This explains why Sethe values family; she knows how rare it is to keep her children as she has seen with her sons.
I love what you said about Denver's loneliness being "palpable" because I feel that is an incredibly accurate description of her personality as a whole. Throughout the novel we see how she yearns for company and how the only true relationship she has is with her mother. As the story progresses, I think Denver's real purpose to her mother is more than just reminding her of her strength and freedom,I think it is to keep her mother from being lonely. I feel there are few scenarios where both Sethe and Denver will ever feel fully and completely connected with anyone besides each other.
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