Author: Mina Netkova (Class of 2010)
In the second part of Morrison’s novel, we can see the presence of the motif of Beloved in all other motifs identified. Beloved is the moving force in the second part of this novel, since it controls the actions of the other characters, like Sethe and Denver. Beloved feeds of Sethe’s stories from the past, and while Sethe loses her vitality and liveliness, Beloved grows and gains energy and power that lead Sethe to her destruction.
Beloved’s presence in the house and their isolation from the outside world is linked to the bondage created between Sethe, Beloved and Denver. This also leads to a creative method of expression, found in the second part only, that Morrison chooses for presentation of the characters thoughts and enables more of a character-bound narration. The stream of consciousness method of expression would not be possible for the characters without Beloved’s presence in one of the main focal points in the novel, 124. 124 is as well another motif in the novel, but not only as a physical space, but also as a center of all the events in the second part. Beloved acts slowly, but manages to acquire her goal, which is keeping Sethe and Denver only for herself. While in the beginning of part two there is the presence of unidentified, unspeakable thoughts as registered by Stamp Paid, as the second part progresses these thoughts unfold through the characters’ streams of consciousnesses. Beloved’s narration is still cracked and interrupted, same as her way of speaking. However, this part is followed by a clarification narrative and a long passage that reminds of a free verse poem and is actually a dialogue between the characters. In this long passage, it is noticeable that Beloved is more than just a character in the novel. At certain instances, it seems as if she is a foil character, and without her the exposure of other characters would not be possible. Nevertheless, in this passage, Beloved presents information, not only about Sethe and Denver, but also a recollection about the Black African-American past. There is the reminiscence of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, which alludes to instances from a collective heritage and collective past experience of the African American people. Beloved is strongly tied to the past and her primary function is to pull both Sethe and Denver in the past, and does not let them go on with their lives and focus on building their future. In the second part, after chasing Paul D away, Beloved can finally have Sethe and Denver for her, and uses this to the maximum. They start playing her games, do whatever she wants and restrain from the things they desire.
In the beginning, it all seems as a harmonious and pleasant relationship, a mother has with her daughters, but as the narration progresses, it is clear that is not the case. This is even visible in the beginning of their bonding, when all three of them go ice skating. Beloved is the most stable one and she has things under her control, since she uses the one appropriate pair of skates. Sethe skates with shoes, which demonstrates her current position of being unstable and dependent on the others. And Denver is found somewhere in between, both of them, since she skates with a mixed pair of skates and shoes. Although, all of them fall, there is no one to see them falling. However, somehow Beloved does not seem to fall at all, but it stands still, the same as she keeps things under control and has incredibly strong influence over Sethe especially. Sethe feels the burden of guilt coming all back to her, for murdering Beloved and tries to make it up for her in every way possible. The fact they lock the door of 124 provides the atmosphere for Sethe’s complete dedication to Beloved, without any interruption of the outside world. This goes in favor of Beloved since her initial wish is to gain possession of Sethe. Beloved gives a different connotation of the term mine. The motif of mine is present throughout part II as well, and Beloved is its main proponent. In her stream of consciousness, she keeps repeating, I am Beloved and she is mine. Her hunger for overpowering Sethe and getting in that way a sort of revenge, leads to the inevitable downfall of Sethe and her self-destruction aided by Beloved. Sethe does not seem to have her own opinion or goal in life except for making every wish and demand of Beloved come true. However, Beloved does not manage to fool Denver, so in the third part she asks for help from someone objective and self aware to help them get rid of Beloved, who would still remain present in their memories.
The reason why Beloved is one of the motifs, is because she is present in most of the motifs in the novel, including memories and recollections of past events that belong not only to single characters, but also to the collective community of African Americans. Beloved serves in the novel primarily as a foil character, and without her presence the enfolding of the other characters would not be possible. However, she discloses much more than just their memories, such as the shocking recollections of the Transatlantic Slave trade and life of African American people in general.
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