Toni Morrison's Beloved is centered on a strong, independent-minded woman named Sethe, who will not be controlled by other people and strives to escape that control. Due to this, the book holds many similarities with the famous English punk band Sex Pistols, as well as message.
The Sex Pistols boasted self-determination in all facets of their life, preaching anarchy and announcing their independence from those who attempt to control them. Indeed, in the song E.M.I, singer John Lydon says ¨There's unlimited supply/And there is no reason why/I tell you it was all a frame/They only did it 'cos of fame/Who?/E.M.I. E.M.I. E.M.I." in response to record label E.M.I. signing them in an attempt to capitalize on the punk scenes rising popularity, going on to state that "[they] are ruled by none."
This angry denouncement of capital control can be likened to Sethe's determination not to let her dead child who is haunting her house force her from the home. She is dead set on remaining in her house, despite the dead child's wild attacks. The Sex Pistols resolution to remain free from the higher powers interested only in capital gain is much like Sethe's resolve to fight the haunting in her own home and remain there. They both fight to remain free and independent from outside control to stay true to themselves, and fight to do so in the only ways they can; music for the Pistols and perseverance for Sethe.
Now this is a comparison I would not have expected, but you explained it well. It's interesting that, of all the people of 124, Sethe seems the most determined not to leave, and the one least deterred by the presence of the ghost. This is interesting because Sethe seems to be the primary reason for this haunting yet she is the most unfazed. Of all the characters in the book so far, she is the one least caught up in herm own past.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's really interesting, especially towards the end of page 83-84 where she tries to avoid discussing the past with Paul D at all. She is definitely trying to look past it.
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