Similarly, the novel Beloved by Toni Morrison, emphasizes the extent to which individuals need their communities. As Paul D explains his experiences in Jail with 46 other men. They would do labor together bound by metal chains, they all made choices as one prompting their escape. When they escaped, they decided that if one goes down, so do the others: "If one lost, all lost." All acting as one, they imitated the human body, if one vital organ goes down, it is a chain reaction that eventually shuts down the whole system.
This theme was also found after Sethe escapes slavery and is on her journey to Cincinnati. After arriving at her destination Morrison describes the sight: "Where not one but two pots simmered on the stove where the lamp burned all night long. Strangers rested while their children tried on their shoes" (Morrison 87). Sethe found herself in a place with security and love, revolving around Baby Suggs, the driving force in the community, this home was a place where the community bonded making this place so vital to the story.
This theme was also found after Sethe escapes slavery and is on her journey to Cincinnati. After arriving at her destination Morrison describes the sight: "Where not one but two pots simmered on the stove where the lamp burned all night long. Strangers rested while their children tried on their shoes" (Morrison 87). Sethe found herself in a place with security and love, revolving around Baby Suggs, the driving force in the community, this home was a place where the community bonded making this place so vital to the story.
Clearly, community bonding is stressed in this novel, and wants the reader to appreciate how much comfort a community provides.
The sense of community is indeed very strong throughout Beloved. It seems as if each setting and place in time throughout the novel is defined by its own unique community. Whether its the allures of Sweet Home, the resolve of 124, or the mutual perseverance of Paul D's chain gang, characters often take solace and comfort in their own little communities. As the novel goes on, in has been interesting to see how the relationship between the members of these communities (particularly at 124) have been tried and challenged throughout.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the importance of community in the novel. What strikes me most about it is not necessary the community it's self, but instead the absence of community found in the present, where Sethe and her family are completely ostracized from the community.
ReplyDeleteWoah wait you're so right! We knew practically everyone in our town growing up. Our community was part of our identity growing up, and still is. I completely agree that message that community provides comfort. This is also portrayed when Denver reaches out to the community to help Sethe.
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