In Sula and Beloved, we learn about mothers through
their relationships with their children. How are the relationships central to
each mother’s identity? What do we learn through the Mothers’ interactions with their children?
·
In Beloved,
examine the Mother/Daughter relationships (select ONE):
- Sethe/Beloved;
- Sethe/Denver;
- Sethe/Ma’am;
- Sethe/Baby Suggs
OR the Mother/Son relationships:
- Sethe/Howard or Buglar;
- Baby Suggs/Halle.
·
In Sula,
examine the Mother/Daughter relationships (select ONE):
- Nel/Helene;
- Eva/Hannah;
- Sula/Hannah
Mother/Son relationships:
- Eva/Plum
Sula and Hannah Peace have a relationship that is unlike any other mother-daughter relationship in the novel, Sula by Toni Morrison. Sula is the daughter of Hannah, and the Granddaughter of Eva Peace. Sula acts much like her grandmother acted. This is because Sula is forced to conceal the fact that she is different from anyone else, due to her mother’s promiscuity. Sula is slightly connected to her family due to the fact that she acts with the same mannerisms as her mother. Because of the maternal tension in the book, Sula finds herself desperate; to be unlike her mother in every way – where as she becomes more like her than she thinks, while herself is promiscuous with many men of the Bottom. Sula and her mother are at odds throughout most of the novel. Maternal love is a significant factor in the novel between various mothers and daughters in Sula. The most compelling factor which depicts this is the conversation that Sula overhears Hanna state hat she loves her children, specifically Sula – yet doesn’t like her. We learn through Sula and Hannah’s relationship that even though striving to be unlike each other – each individual is in fact very similar. Hannah is reflected in this situation as a mother who cares, but is really incapable of loving her children.
ReplyDeleteHaley, I thought as though this was a really good description of a mother daughter relationship regarding Sula and Hannah Peace. It is very interesting how all three of the Peach woman in the end become all like one another in regards to the promiscuity and ability to love. I like how you chose the most compelling factor to be Sula overhearing her mothers conversation about how she doesn't really like Sula because I agree this is almost a turning point in Sula's life. After this event takes place Sula starts becoming her own she no longer is attached to much. This novel is very interesting in how they want to be so different from eachother but most mother daughter relationships in this novel the daughters end up almost the exact same as their mothers.
DeleteI also thought that Haley had a very good description of a mother daughter relationship within the novel. However i personally believe that Eva is the perfect example of a motherly figure within the story. Eva can be seen as the epitome of what it means to be a mother. She possesses the one trait that truly exemplifies motherhood, that being unconditional love. While Eva did not have all the time in the world for her children, she was willing to put her life on the line (literally) in order to ensure their safety. No matter how far she had to go, she made sure that her children were safe, even if that meant personal sacrifice. She also took in the dewy children as her own and cared for their well being. She did not have to do this, yet her motherly instincts took over and took the children in. While she did kill her own son, she did not do it out of hate or disgust, she did so out of the nurturing qualities she possessed. She had seen that Plum was suffering and she did not want to see her child in pain any longer. This was not an easy decision for her to make, but she felt as though it would be what was best for plum. I think when looking at the idea of motherhood within the novel Eva is a wonderful example of all the virtuous traits that mothers should posses. I feel as though the relationship with Sula and Hannah is a good one, yet Eva as a character is a more dynamic representation of motherhood in the novel.
DeleteSethe/Beloved
ReplyDeleteSethe had a lot of love for her children, so much that she did the unspeakable. She committed bodily harm to her children. Three of her children survived and one did not: they called her Baby Crawing. Sethe placed the word"Beloved" on her tombstone. Out of nowwhere a young lady appeared and her name was Beloved, the same as that of her deceased daughter and she about the same age too. Beloved seemed to be emotionally unstable, very needy, and challenging. I believe that might be what attracted Sethe to her. Beloved needed to be love and Sethe needed that also. Thier love for one another was strange; it was one of destruction. Sethe gave all she had to Beloved: her time, job, her love for her other daughter, and herself. But that was not enough for Beloved. Beloved started draining every ounce of life from Sethe, punishing her for taking her life. Sethe soon gave in to her evilness. Her compassion for life disappeared; it left her motionless and lost. Beloved wanted Sethe to know how it felt to be abandoned and alone.
Beloved By Toni Morrison
ReplyDeleteSethe /Beloved
Slaves have been taken from Africa robbed of their land, identity, and faith. Given new names and taught the slave masters religion, because when the slaves got together and sang and danced in their native tongue things started to happen. These things scared the masters and they were not allowed to gather. Baby Suggs held gatherings once she was free. The slave masters would do all they could to break the slaves soul. Raping the Men, women and sizing up the children. Sethe was a privileged slave whom owner treated her like a human. Mr. and Mrs. Garner even allowed Sethe and Halle to marry. Being treated as a person and then to live under school teachers rules were like living in hell. Sethe soon planned for an escape to a life of freedom, for Sethe and her children, never forgetting the pain and the demeaning rape while pregnant she endured.
Twenty- eight days of freedom, and to see school teacher coming across the field she did what she thought was right to save them from his savage ways. Killing them to save them from being used raped and put into slavery. Being blessed only one died; baby crawling and she haunted the house. During our talks we asked could Beloved ghost taken on a form of a true living person. The slaves have always worshiped and felt the presents of their God. Voodoo has roots from Africa, it was banned and called witch craft or black magic. It is still practiced and when done it is said the dead is walking on the earth in true form. Theses ghost are called hanks in southern states and duppy in Jamaica. With a proper a meeting of strong faith, such as the one the community held, hanks and duppies can be banished back with the dead.The mind is a powerful tool and it will do what is needed to protect you.
Growing up Sethe never had the close mother bond she had hoped for with her Ma'am. I believe this may be the reason why Sethe strongly desired to have that close bond with Beloved and Denver. Sethe wanted to protect her children by all means necesary, even if it meant killing them to keep them safe. I am not a mother so I don't know what a mother's love is, but I do know that my mother personally would do anything for her children to keep them out of harms way. And I feel that was exactly Sethe's mentality raising her children during this difficult time.
ReplyDelete..
DeleteI felt for Sethe,Her life was very hard, she had to make decisions that I think I could of never made as a mother. She was a very strong lady. my heart went out for denver she was left to suffer from her mom secrets, which put her in a certain mine set because of it. She was dealing with shame and fear due to her mom past.
ReplyDelete