Both texts are enriched with viewing characters in terms of their parts. The stealing of Sethe's milk presents her not only as property, but a producer of nourishment. This then becomes aligned with her role as mother. I see this as the intersections of the bondwoman, no section belonging to her.Being a slave, she cannot own self and is suseptible to the whims of those in positions of power. As a mother, the milk her body produces belong to her children. Sethe is not made, in a sense, "whole" until the end of the text when Paul D. tells Sethe he needs her. Sula is a little more complicated. I am not sure if I can ever see her as whole. It seems the story does not present all of her story. Sula tells Nel she wants to live life to the fullest, so this may be the only way to see her wholeness.
The black female bodies were “physical, emotional, sexual, and spiritual trauma” through slavery. They also endured sexuality from the slavery owners. The mother was beaten and whipped a tree on her back which symbolize “trauma and brutality into one beauty and growth.” Also in the story the daughter named Denver had been held back in her emotional growth due to years in relative isolation by Sethe. Sethe the mother had “survived a traumatic escape from slavery with Denver where the white men beat her consistently and attempted to make Sethe less of a woman emotionally by doing so. The thought of slavery still hunts the “former slaves even in freedom” because it reminds them of the trouble they went through and the scars on their body reminds them what had to endure. Beloved suffers from emotional growth after being in confinement for a long time. The spirit of Sethe dead daughter made me wonder whether or not she was actually real and how come her spirit still lives on its own.
Toni Morrison’s novel Sula emphasize the role of women in the community, Eva Peace, the head of the household had to find a way survive after her husband Boyboy left her, she had no time to blame or feel the sadness she had about that man, instead she tried to get helped by the community to rise her children but she knows that won’t last too long so she left Bottom to find a way to secure her family, when she returned to Bottom she had some cash but she lost one of her leg. Men were the head of the households in majority families in white society where women had absolutely no right; Toni Morrison highlighted the black female’s responsibilities as women and beyond that because black male were oppressed by white due to the Jim Crow Law. Nel faced same situation as Eva Peace as she found out the relationship between Sula and her husband, Sula sleeps with men, but unlike her mom, Sula in a way played many men, she just want to have sex with them and then left them. Sula’s actions have criticized by the community as unforgivable, however when Ajax leaves Sula, the community seems to accept that but not the reversed. While black female remains powerful in terms of taking care of and secure their families but in terms of sexuality, black female could not act like black men where they can leave and abandon women but not reversed in the community.
To go along with what Ben is saying, I choose to look at the role of sexuality for the black females in Toni Morrison's novel, Sula. No matter which woman it was, it seemed like they had no respect in this town or were looked down upon from the males. The males seemed as if they "used and abused" the females in this novel, and there were definitely the head of the households. Most of these females were strong hearted independent woman that have been left by their man's. Eva, after being left by her husband Boyboy, had to raise her children on her own with little help from the community. This could go only go for so long and forced her to leave Bottom. Woman during this era were supposed to feel less superior to their male companion, and it was completely ok for them to be treated in a disrespecting manner. The hope for success or doing something with their lives was diminished by the Jim Crow laws and how they were treated by the males. Sula, being the different one of the bunch decided she didn’t want to be like your ordinary everyday household wife that help no privileges and basically followed every man's directions. She did things because she wanted to them, and often this got her into a lot of trouble. She was seen a hussy because she slept with many guys, especially Nel’s husband, and is hounded by the community for this. However, when males like Ajax are sleeping around with different ladies, and leaving them and not caring for them, the community acts as if this is a normal occurrence. The female could not act like the male or else it would be looked down upon. Doesn’t really seem to fair in my opinion. Anyone have other suggestions or views regarding this?
Black female bodies were portrayed sexually throughout the novel Beloved. Sethe, the main character, body was never hers. It was always put on display to be seen and made out. Her and her husband didn’t even have any privacy when having sex out in the cornfields. The female body was used as a tool for money. Schoolteacher and his nephews made room for Sethe's pregnant belly as they took her milk and beat her (Chapter 1). They made sure Sethe's "animal baby' was protected so nothing bad would happen to it. This showed that black women were only good to lust after and to breed children so the whites could make money off of that child. Schoolteacher whipped a tree on Sethe's back which symbolized "trauma and brutality into one beauty and growth". How does it feel to be whipped while pregnant? How could some suck milk forcefully from a women’s breast without her consent? The black female body is just a "tool". "I want you to touch me on the inside part" said Beloved to Paul D (pg. 137). This embodies the black female body as a "jezebel" woman, which lustfully detours people to do wrong and evil things.
Black female bodies were portrayed sexually in the book "Beloved" because Sethe had been pin down by a massive number of guys that had not been granted permission to touch or act upon forcefully sucking Sethes breast. The milk that had been formed in Sethes body was to be used to nourish off her offsprings so that they could live a normal healthy life but others insited that they steal her pride and joy by forcefully taking her milk from her breast so she would not be able to feed her children. In the book "Beloved" the scarring of the tree that had been whipped upon sethes back was a symbolism of escape and peace thats all that sethe wanted for her and her children but she had to go through alot of mind damaging acts to get to that happy place were she had destined to get to.
Sex...So soft, hard, wonderful,exciting, intimate and whatever forbidden doors you can open.Sex, a powerful weapon that can make or break you depending with how you are having it.Sex can unleash waves of pleasure or disgust. Sexuality, you are so strong that you can make me lose my mind, my soul and take my breathe away. But oh...sexuality...you can be devastating,intimidating, painful and destructive... Sethe agreed to ten minutes of sex with an engraver in order to have the word "Beloved" carved on the baby's headstone. Paul D has desired and fantasized about Sethe ever since she arrived at Sweet Home at the age of thirteen to replace Baby Suggs. Sethe was beautiful back then and the five male of SweetHome waited in agonizing sexual frustration, having sex with calves and dreaming of rape. Sethe took a year to make her choice about whom she wanted to allow to touch "the inside of her". Halle was the one who was chosen and together they had four children. After the great escape and the separation with her man, later on, Sethe was able again to flirt and laugh with Paul D. She was allowed again an opportunity to choose her sexual partner. The same night, she was reunited with Paul D, the sexual tension was impregnated in the air. So,they exclude Denver from the spotlight and go for a quick sexual escape. The scars on Sethe's back serve as another testament and testimony to her dehuminazing years in slavery.Like the ghost Beloved, the scar works as a metaphor for the way that past tragedies affect us psychologically and emotionally, "haunting" or "scarring" us for life.Particularly, the tree shape formed by the scars on Sethe's back may symbolize the burden of the black existence and the incomplete family tree. Lynching was the reality of the Black. Trees were the place where those "strange fruits" of dead black bodies were hanging. Beauty is also in the eyes of the beholder. When Amy Denver interprete Sethe's tree, she considered those ugly scars as a "Chokecherry tree" transforming a story of pain and oppression into one of survival and victory. Also when Paul D kisses this wonderful "tree", he reinforces this more positive interpretations. "Sethe's tree" is just mystical and full of symbolism. If Sethe had a chance to speak , she would say,"Let the tree of life be what you want it to be..."
Everyone has a good point when stating that Sethe's body seemed to belong to someone else, however I wouldn't necessarily say that her body was never her own. First, Sethe was never forced to become a real woman sexually, she chose when and with whom. Secondly, even after she was free she still had a choice and she chose Paul D. Her body may have seemed torn and worn, but she still wore every scar as a badge of honor because no matter what anyone did to her she still managed to get herself and her children to freedom. She did these things on her own; not the husband she took, not the men she lived with at Sweet Home. Sure she had help, but she used everyone part of HER body to make these things happen. The scar that was on her back was no longer a scary reminder, but a way to change her frame of thinking. That scar became a tree that planted her to one place and helped her grow strong throughout whatever that was thrown at her, from the death of "the already crawling baby", the leaving of two sons, the community turning their backs on her, Baby Suggs' death and Paul D leaving. Sethe was dismembered, seen in a sexual lighting in every aspect of her being and scarred. All in all she was a woman through and through willing to do what needed to be done.
In Jeremiah 8:22, from the NIV bible version, " Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? This balm is what the Black people need. They need this ointment to heal their mind, body and soul. Their spiritual, emotional and physical wounds need to be healed. Their scars should be just a testimony that should not be passed on.This is our heritage. This is our testimony.This gilead balm is what humanity needs to softens and heal all spiritual and emotional ailments. We, Black, people need to forgive and move on. This is not a story that needs to be perpetuated. The black church and preaching style have always been different from the white. The black churches have its roots from the African Folklore. Baby Suggs Preaching style was that of a victor who has been through a lot.Blessed with charisma, she wanted her people to be set free of the spirit of rejection, suffering and condemnation. She built up the spirit of those strong and precious people by making them accept who they are. Their bodies and special traits were put forward during the preaching. Baby Suggs calls them into the nature to dance, cry and laugh. Those basics emotions were put in the spotlight since it is one among the many characteristics which differentiate us from animals. Her sermon was all about the outpouring of those important feelings which were considered "taboo" for the black during the time of slavery.
Sethe was not like the average black woman during these times in my opinion she actually had it a little better. She was able to make the choice of who she lost her virginity to and even decided when she wanted it to happend. Don't get me wrong she still had to endure alot of pain she was beat and raped for her milk while she was on sweet home. Sethe never allowed nothing that she went through to get the best of her she is the true definition of a strong black woman. After going through everything she went through Sethe still managed to get all of her kids as well as herself off to freedom. The reason I admired Sethe so much is because what she went through the average person would have lost their mind but she was able to stand to the very end. Sethe went through her two sons leaving home, the death of crawling baby "Beloved" and the entire after math of her spirit inside their home, the death of Baby Suggs, Paul D leaving and lastly poor Denver about to have a nervous breakdown. Some how some way Sethe kept a clear mind and was able to with stand this is my definition of a strong black woman. I could write a novel on different aspects and perspectives of this book by far this is the best book I've read thus far. Carolyn B.
Belove was a really good novel. Paul D. had painted a vision of Sethe in his head of how he thought her body would be. Once he was able to physically see her undressed, his percieved her differently "flat breast". It seemed to have turned him off because her body had so many scares. This book really gives a great vision of how and what blacks went throung during that time.
In Sula, it was surprising how the grandmother Eva dedcided to get her leg amputated to help her get money to raise the children by becoming disabled so she could get a monthly check from the government. By doing this she made a sacrifice which most people are not willing to make. I question her methods, but understand that Eva did what she had to do to help her family to survive. When it comes to this sacrifice, dismemberment seems to have been her only option given the circumstances with having to raise children by herself. I wonder about the eighteen month period where she abandoned her kids. Who was going to take care of them? The fact that she had no money to her name put her in a horrible position where Eva felt she had no choice. She ended up raising her children, and because of Eva's behavior, Sula ends up being quite an independent soul that has a mind and will of her own. So in this regard, because of the strength and unwillingness of Eva, she had a granddaughter who was as strong-willed as she.
For me, Sula had a lot of dismemberment within the female characters. Even though Eva is always looking out for the family in their best interests, I felt as though she took it upon herself to dismember her only son from living life anymore. She didn't want to see him suffer any longer and continue to do drugs and feel like he left himself overseas after the war. Hannah really did Sula know favors in raising her in a child friendly environment by always having different men come around and really just disconnecting with her child all together setting a poor example of how to be a classy women who loves her child. Which in her defense you could argue that Eva never gave her any loving attention that made Hannah feel as though she was loved. So it is kind of a cycle taking place with each Peace member not being able to love the predecessor. Looking now at Sula herself, i'd say she really dismembered herself from everyone after Nels wedding in which she departs for 10 years only to return and start back where she left off by kicking Eva out and putting her in a mental hospital and then fooling around with Nel's husband ultimately dismembering their friendship all together leading to the end of Sulas life at the end of the novel.
The Peace women, as depicted in the novel Sula, by Toni Morrison, were an extremely sensual bunch - to say the least. The males within the novel who fell victim to their charm, wit and beauty never stood a chance against their shielded hearts. The sexuality portrayed by each of these women (Eva, Hannah and Sula) both differed and mimicked each other in category. I don’t think it too farfetched to say that the ideas these women possessed in regards to love and sexuality were derived from one another (each by watching their own mother).
In contrast to the statement made wherein which the men in the community looked down upon the Peace women, I feel quite the opposite to be true. Although the women of the community held a sense of disdain towards the Peace women, possibly due to their inability to understand the chosen way of life taken on by these women, the men seemed to hold them with high regards in reference to the companionship received. Thus, based on the reactions and judgments of females within, dismemberment of the Peace women from the community wherein which they resided took place. In the beginning of the novel, we see Eva Peace reach out to community members for assistance when left by her husband. However, her departure from bottom leads us to the most evident signs of dismemberment existent within the book: the amputation of Eva’s leg in order to receive a steady flow of income allowing her to provide for her family. Although some may see her actions as petty, the sacrifice of an appendage (especially when in reference to a woman whose body was the very essence of her femininity), is something that I can’t help but to admire. Sula revealed the same type of sacrifice, to an extent, when she sliced off the tip of her finger while on her way home from school. Although this act didn’t grant her access to a steady flow of income, it granted Nel and herself safety from the young, white males who would harass them. Again, another sacrifice of the female body that is, although seemingly petty, admirable. Although not a dismemberment per say, Hannah’s death (the scorching of her body) falls into this category being that we witness, yet again, destruction to a body that represented femininity.
Throughout the novel, questions in regards to mother daughter relationships are raised by Sula towards Hannah. Supposedly, in accordance to Sula, love didn’t seem to be an affection that was active within their household. Maybe the words weren’t spoken, but the actions that took place by Eva revealed an abundance of love – first in the amputation of her leg in order to obtain provisions for her family and again in the thrusting of herself off the second floor in an attempt to prevent the death of her daughter Hannah. Although their hearts were shielded, the actions and sacrifices made by these women, in addition to the strength and independence shown, leaves me in admiration of these “hussies”. In light of the dismemberment and scarring that took place throughout the novel – in spite of the judgments thrown their way due to questionable behavior relating to sex – these women led lives that belonged to them. The Peace women lived according to their emotions and disregarded the opinions of others. That in itself is anything BUT an erasing of the female body – it empowers it!
Just like the previous Toni Morrison novels that I have read, this is a story I will have to read again just in case there was something that I missed. I loved the poetic style Ms. Morrison used to tell the story. My favorite character was Denver. To be so young, she went through alot of pain and lonliness.I couldn't even imagine being that age in a situation where the only person in your life that your expected to love and respect, is the same person that you are scared of. For Denver that was Sethe, her mother. I was surprised to acknowledge this finding.Up until reading Denver's thoughts of her mother, I myself questioned how she possibly felt about Sethe and the death of her sister. I also felt proud of Denver when she got herself together and took matters into her hands by leaving the house and finding help in the community. Although, she had a fear of leaving the house, Denver ultimately did what was needed to survive. It was those experiences I believe that matured Denver and made her the person that she probably became.
Scarring: I agree with several posts that suggest that Sethe's body no longer belonged to her.Sethe has endured traumatic experiences. Being sexually violated likely caused wounds that couldn't be healed due to lack of resources available to her. For example, there were no counselors around for her to pour into and express herself in a way that may have released healing. Her physical body had been harmed, but her spirit was more severly yearning for healing, which is why I believe Beloved came back into the picture. Pain produced a wound and the wound produced a scar. On the outside, Sethe was able to operate and do her to day functions, but on the inside, I believe her wounds were killing her slowly but surely.
Both texts are enriched with viewing characters in terms of their parts. The stealing of Sethe's milk presents her not only as property, but a producer of nourishment. This then becomes aligned with her role as mother. I see this as the intersections of the bondwoman, no section belonging to her.Being a slave, she cannot own self and is suseptible to the whims of those in positions of power. As a mother, the milk her body produces belong to her children. Sethe is not made, in a sense, "whole" until the end of the text when Paul D. tells Sethe he needs her. Sula is a little more complicated. I am not sure if I can ever see her as whole. It seems the story does not present all of her story. Sula tells Nel she wants to live life to the fullest, so this may be the only way to see her wholeness.
ReplyDeleteThe black female bodies were “physical, emotional, sexual, and spiritual trauma” through slavery. They also endured sexuality from the slavery owners. The mother was beaten and whipped a tree on her back which symbolize “trauma and brutality into one beauty and growth.” Also in the story the daughter named Denver had been held back in her emotional growth due to years in relative isolation by Sethe. Sethe the mother had “survived a traumatic escape from slavery with Denver where the white men beat her consistently and attempted to make Sethe less of a woman emotionally by doing so. The thought of slavery still hunts the “former slaves even in freedom” because it reminds them of the trouble they went through and the scars on their body reminds them what had to endure. Beloved suffers from emotional growth after being in confinement for a long time. The spirit of Sethe dead daughter made me wonder whether or not she was actually real and how come her spirit still lives on its own.
ReplyDeleteToni Morrison’s novel Sula emphasize the role of women in the community, Eva Peace, the head of the household had to find a way survive after her husband Boyboy left her, she had no time to blame or feel the sadness she had about that man, instead she tried to get helped by the community to rise her children but she knows that won’t last too long so she left Bottom to find a way to secure her family, when she returned to Bottom she had some cash but she lost one of her leg. Men were the head of the households in majority families in white society where women had absolutely no right; Toni Morrison highlighted the black female’s responsibilities as women and beyond that because black male were oppressed by white due to the Jim Crow Law. Nel faced same situation as Eva Peace as she found out the relationship between Sula and her husband, Sula sleeps with men, but unlike her mom, Sula in a way played many men, she just want to have sex with them and then left them. Sula’s actions have criticized by the community as unforgivable, however when Ajax leaves Sula, the community seems to accept that but not the reversed. While black female remains powerful in terms of taking care of and secure their families but in terms of sexuality, black female could not act like black men where they can leave and abandon women but not reversed in the community.
ReplyDeleteTo go along with what Ben is saying, I choose to look at the role of sexuality for the black females in Toni Morrison's novel, Sula.
DeleteNo matter which woman it was, it seemed like they had no respect in this town or were looked down upon from the males. The males seemed as if they "used and abused" the females in this novel, and there were definitely the head of the households. Most of these females were strong hearted independent woman that have been left by their man's.
Eva, after being left by her husband Boyboy, had to raise her children on her own with little help from the community. This could go only go for so long and forced her to leave Bottom.
Woman during this era were supposed to feel less superior to their male companion, and it was completely ok for them to be treated in a disrespecting manner. The hope for success or doing something with their lives was diminished by the Jim Crow laws and how they were treated by the males.
Sula, being the different one of the bunch decided she didn’t want to be like your ordinary everyday household wife that help no privileges and basically followed every man's directions. She did things because she wanted to them, and often this got her into a lot of trouble. She was seen a hussy because she slept with many guys, especially Nel’s husband, and is hounded by the community for this. However, when males like Ajax are sleeping around with different ladies, and leaving them and not caring for them, the community acts as if this is a normal occurrence. The female could not act like the male or else it would be looked down upon. Doesn’t really seem to fair in my opinion. Anyone have other suggestions or views regarding this?
Black female bodies were portrayed sexually throughout the novel Beloved. Sethe, the main character, body was never hers. It was always put on display to be seen and made out. Her and her husband didn’t even have any privacy when having sex out in the cornfields. The female body was used as a tool for money. Schoolteacher and his nephews made room for Sethe's pregnant belly as they took her milk and beat her (Chapter 1). They made sure Sethe's "animal baby' was protected so nothing bad would happen to it. This showed that black women were only good to lust after and to breed children so the whites could make money off of that child. Schoolteacher whipped a tree on Sethe's back which symbolized "trauma and brutality into one beauty and growth". How does it feel to be whipped while pregnant? How could some suck milk forcefully from a women’s breast without her consent? The black female body is just a "tool". "I want you to touch me on the inside part" said Beloved to Paul D (pg. 137). This embodies the black female body as a "jezebel" woman, which lustfully detours people to do wrong and evil things.
ReplyDeleteNikki M. Bridges
Black female bodies were portrayed sexually in the book "Beloved" because Sethe had been pin down by a massive number of guys that had not been granted permission to touch or act upon forcefully sucking Sethes breast. The milk that had been formed in Sethes body was to be used to nourish off her offsprings so that they could live a normal healthy life but others insited that they steal her pride and joy by forcefully taking her milk from her breast so she would not be able to feed her children. In the book "Beloved" the scarring of the tree that had been whipped upon sethes back was a symbolism of escape and peace thats all that sethe wanted for her and her children but she had to go through alot of mind damaging acts to get to that happy place were she had destined to get to.
ReplyDeleteSex...So soft, hard, wonderful,exciting, intimate and whatever forbidden doors you can open.Sex, a powerful weapon that can make or break you depending with how you are having it.Sex can unleash waves of pleasure or disgust. Sexuality, you are so strong that you can make me lose my mind, my soul and take my breathe away. But oh...sexuality...you can be devastating,intimidating, painful and destructive...
DeleteSethe agreed to ten minutes of sex with an engraver in order to have the word "Beloved" carved on the baby's headstone. Paul D has desired and fantasized about Sethe ever since she arrived at Sweet Home at the age of thirteen to replace Baby Suggs. Sethe was beautiful back then and the five male of SweetHome waited in agonizing sexual frustration, having sex with calves and dreaming of rape. Sethe took a year to make her choice about whom she wanted to allow to touch "the inside of her". Halle was the one who was chosen and together they had four children.
After the great escape and the separation with her man, later on, Sethe was able again to flirt and laugh with Paul D. She was allowed again an opportunity to choose her sexual partner. The same night, she was reunited with Paul D, the sexual tension was impregnated in the air. So,they exclude Denver from the spotlight and go for a quick sexual escape.
The scars on Sethe's back serve as another testament and testimony to her dehuminazing years in slavery.Like the ghost Beloved, the scar works as a metaphor for the way that past tragedies affect us psychologically and emotionally, "haunting" or "scarring" us for life.Particularly, the tree shape formed by the scars on Sethe's back may symbolize the burden of the black existence and the incomplete family tree. Lynching was the reality of the Black. Trees were the place where those "strange fruits" of dead black bodies were hanging.
Beauty is also in the eyes of the beholder. When Amy Denver interprete Sethe's tree, she considered those ugly scars as a "Chokecherry tree" transforming a story of pain and oppression into one of survival and victory. Also when Paul D kisses this wonderful "tree", he reinforces this more positive interpretations. "Sethe's tree" is just mystical and full of symbolism. If Sethe had a chance to speak , she would say,"Let the tree of life be what you want it to be..."
Anne Marie B.
Everyone has a good point when stating that Sethe's body seemed to belong to someone else, however I wouldn't necessarily say that her body was never her own. First, Sethe was never forced to become a real woman sexually, she chose when and with whom. Secondly, even after she was free she still had a choice and she chose Paul D. Her body may have seemed torn and worn, but she still wore every scar as a badge of honor because no matter what anyone did to her she still managed to get herself and her children to freedom. She did these things on her own; not the husband she took, not the men she lived with at Sweet Home. Sure she had help, but she used everyone part of HER body to make these things happen. The scar that was on her back was no longer a scary reminder, but a way to change her frame of thinking. That scar became a tree that planted her to one place and helped her grow strong throughout whatever that was thrown at her, from the death of "the already crawling baby", the leaving of two sons, the community turning their backs on her, Baby Suggs' death and Paul D leaving. Sethe was dismembered, seen in a sexual lighting in every aspect of her being and scarred. All in all she was a woman through and through willing to do what needed to be done.
ReplyDeleteIn Jeremiah 8:22, from the NIV bible version, " Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? This balm is what the Black people need. They need this ointment to heal their mind, body and soul. Their spiritual, emotional and physical wounds need to be healed.
ReplyDeleteTheir scars should be just a testimony that should not be passed on.This is our heritage. This is our testimony.This gilead balm is what humanity needs to softens and heal all spiritual and emotional ailments. We, Black, people need to forgive and move on. This is not a story that needs to be perpetuated.
The black church and preaching style have always been different from the white. The black churches have its roots from the African Folklore. Baby Suggs Preaching style was that of a victor who has been through a lot.Blessed with charisma, she wanted her people to be set free of the spirit of rejection, suffering and condemnation. She built up the spirit of those strong and precious people by making them accept who they are. Their bodies and special traits were put forward during the preaching. Baby Suggs calls them into the nature to dance, cry and laugh. Those basics emotions were put in the spotlight since it is one among the many characteristics which differentiate us from animals. Her sermon was all about the outpouring of those important feelings which were considered "taboo" for the black during the time of slavery.
Forget to mention. This is from Anne Marie B.
DeleteSethe was not like the average black woman during these times in my opinion she actually had it a little better. She was able to make the choice of who she lost her virginity to and even decided when she wanted it to happend. Don't get me wrong she still had to endure alot of pain she was beat and raped for her milk while she was on sweet home. Sethe never allowed nothing that she went through to get the best of her she is the true definition of a strong black woman. After going through everything she went through Sethe still managed to get all of her kids as well as herself off to freedom. The reason I admired Sethe so much is because what she went through the average person would have lost their mind but she was able to stand to the very end. Sethe went through her two sons leaving home, the death of crawling baby "Beloved" and the entire after math of her spirit inside their home, the death of Baby Suggs, Paul D leaving and lastly poor Denver about to have a nervous breakdown. Some how some way Sethe kept a clear mind and was able to with stand this is my definition of a strong black woman. I could write a novel on different aspects and perspectives of this book by far this is the best book I've read thus far.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn B.
Belove was a really good novel. Paul D. had painted a vision of Sethe in his head of how he thought her body would be. Once he was able to physically see her undressed, his percieved her differently "flat breast". It seemed to have turned him off because her body had so many scares. This book really gives a great vision of how and what blacks went throung during that time.
ReplyDeleteIn Sula, it was surprising how the grandmother Eva dedcided to get her leg amputated to help her get money to raise the children by becoming disabled so she could get a monthly check from the government. By doing this she made a sacrifice which most people are not willing to make. I question her methods, but understand that Eva did what she had to do to help her family to survive. When it comes to this sacrifice, dismemberment seems to have been her only option given the circumstances with having to raise children by herself. I wonder about the eighteen month period where she abandoned her kids. Who was going to take care of them? The fact that she had no money to her name put her in a horrible position where Eva felt she had no choice. She ended up raising her children, and because of Eva's behavior, Sula ends up being quite an independent soul that has a mind and will of her own. So in this regard, because of the strength and unwillingness of Eva, she had a granddaughter who was as strong-willed as she.
ReplyDeleteFor me, Sula had a lot of dismemberment within the female characters. Even though Eva is always looking out for the family in their best interests, I felt as though she took it upon herself to dismember her only son from living life anymore. She didn't want to see him suffer any longer and continue to do drugs and feel like he left himself overseas after the war. Hannah really did Sula know favors in raising her in a child friendly environment by always having different men come around and really just disconnecting with her child all together setting a poor example of how to be a classy women who loves her child. Which in her defense you could argue that Eva never gave her any loving attention that made Hannah feel as though she was loved. So it is kind of a cycle taking place with each Peace member not being able to love the predecessor. Looking now at Sula herself, i'd say she really dismembered herself from everyone after Nels wedding in which she departs for 10 years only to return and start back where she left off by kicking Eva out and putting her in a mental hospital and then fooling around with Nel's husband ultimately dismembering their friendship all together leading to the end of Sulas life at the end of the novel.
ReplyDeleteThe Peace women, as depicted in the novel Sula, by Toni Morrison, were an extremely sensual bunch - to say the least. The males within the novel who fell victim to their charm, wit and beauty never stood a chance against their shielded hearts. The sexuality portrayed by each of these women (Eva, Hannah and Sula) both differed and mimicked each other in category. I don’t think it too farfetched to say that the ideas these women possessed in regards to love and sexuality were derived from one another (each by watching their own mother).
ReplyDeleteIn contrast to the statement made wherein which the men in the community looked down upon the Peace women, I feel quite the opposite to be true. Although the women of the community held a sense of disdain towards the Peace women, possibly due to their inability to understand the chosen way of life taken on by these women, the men seemed to hold them with high regards in reference to the companionship received. Thus, based on the reactions and judgments of females within, dismemberment of the Peace women from the community wherein which they resided took place. In the beginning of the novel, we see Eva Peace reach out to community members for assistance when left by her husband. However, her departure from bottom leads us to the most evident signs of dismemberment existent within the book: the amputation of Eva’s leg in order to receive a steady flow of income allowing her to provide for her family. Although some may see her actions as petty, the sacrifice of an appendage (especially when in reference to a woman whose body was the very essence of her femininity), is something that I can’t help but to admire. Sula revealed the same type of sacrifice, to an extent, when she sliced off the tip of her finger while on her way home from school. Although this act didn’t grant her access to a steady flow of income, it granted Nel and herself safety from the young, white males who would harass them. Again, another sacrifice of the female body that is, although seemingly petty, admirable. Although not a dismemberment per say, Hannah’s death (the scorching of her body) falls into this category being that we witness, yet again, destruction to a body that represented femininity.
Throughout the novel, questions in regards to mother daughter relationships are raised by Sula towards Hannah. Supposedly, in accordance to Sula, love didn’t seem to be an affection that was active within their household. Maybe the words weren’t spoken, but the actions that took place by Eva revealed an abundance of love – first in the amputation of her leg in order to obtain provisions for her family and again in the thrusting of herself off the second floor in an attempt to prevent the death of her daughter Hannah. Although their hearts were shielded, the actions and sacrifices made by these women, in addition to the strength and independence shown, leaves me in admiration of these “hussies”. In light of the dismemberment and scarring that took place throughout the novel – in spite of the judgments thrown their way due to questionable behavior relating to sex – these women led lives that belonged to them. The Peace women lived according to their emotions and disregarded the opinions of others. That in itself is anything BUT an erasing of the female body – it empowers it!
Just like the previous Toni Morrison novels that I have read, this is a story I will have to read again just in case there was something that I missed. I loved the poetic style Ms. Morrison used to tell the story. My favorite character was Denver. To be so young, she went through alot of pain and lonliness.I couldn't even imagine being that age in a situation where the only person in your life that your expected to love and respect, is the same person that you are scared of. For Denver that was Sethe, her mother. I was surprised to acknowledge this finding.Up until reading Denver's thoughts of her mother, I myself questioned how she possibly felt about Sethe and the death of her sister. I also felt proud of Denver when she got herself together and took matters into her hands by leaving the house and finding help in the community. Although, she had a fear of leaving the house, Denver ultimately did what was needed to survive. It was those experiences I believe that matured Denver and made her the person that she probably became.
ReplyDeleteScarring: I agree with several posts that suggest that Sethe's body no longer belonged to her.Sethe has endured traumatic experiences. Being sexually violated likely caused wounds that couldn't be healed due to lack of resources available to her. For example, there were no counselors around for her to pour into and express herself in a way that may have released healing. Her physical body had been harmed, but her spirit was more severly yearning for healing, which is why I believe Beloved came back into the picture. Pain produced a wound and the wound produced a scar. On the outside, Sethe was able to operate and do her to day functions, but on the inside, I believe her wounds were killing her slowly but surely.
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