In the first part of Beloved, the water has appeared numerous times and could mean a couple different things. First, it seems like water seems to be associated with many different images regarding birth and freedom. We see the convicts escaping from their shackles by traveling through the water, and also the slaves who escaped doing so by crossing over rivers to the freedom in the north. This repetitive use of water was freedom is most prominent in the case of Beloved.
Beloved first is introduced to us by coming out of the water, which to me seems almost like she was reincarnated by the lifeblood of the water. After this character is introduced to us and comes to 124, Beloved downs cup after cup of water and does not seem hungry, which is sort of ironic because she has just came out of water. At this same time that the ghastly daughter Beloved seems to be brought into this world thirsty, Sethe happens to be running inside away from Beloved, trying to relive herself of her bladder. While in most of the book, Water is a positive symbol of connection, life, and freedom, it also does have some more sinister connotations. When Beloved talks with Denver in the innocent way she does, she describes a dark and cramped place in which she inhabited for a long time. We know this place to be a slave ship, which traveled over the Atlantic ocean to bring Beloved to the United States.
That's interesting. I have heard of the motif of iron representing freedom but not water. I totally agree, Sethe does seem to have a loving relationship with water in that she associated it with her own freedom. There's also the scene where Beloved is on a bridge before she comes to 124. That's a symbol that the bridge is keeping her from the river/freedom to go home.
ReplyDeleteI like the connections you're making here. Sethe also says, "I would have known who you were right away because the cup after cup of water you drank proved and connected to the fact that you dribbled clear spit on my face the day I got to 124" (239). It's interesting how water is connected to birth and death.
ReplyDeleteGiven the amount of biblical references in the book, I also wonder if water is meant to be tied to baptism - another form of rebirth/cleansing (I'm thinking esp. in the scene where Beloved walks out of the lake, kinda feels like the original baptisms in the river Jordan).
ReplyDeleteyeah totally! I specifically remember the water that separated Sethe from the North and the South, the difference between freedom and shackles. Which makes me think about what Alex M. Said, this biblical reference is like a rebirth into a new life! You just made so many gears in my head move and I got super excited and its like 1:40 AM! This was awesome! Goodnight.
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