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| Washington's reference to African American motherhood |
Motherhood involves love, care, affection, protecting, and nurturing a child. In Beloved, Sethe's role as a mother consumes her, due to how her actions reflect a consciousness of her child's presence. She is aware of her obligation to protect the future of her children. In Washington's journal, she takes a look at Sethe's motherhood in relation to her past as a slave. Washington interprets the inherent characteristics an African American woman may have when bringing up her children. She identifies the sister system in African American history, and defines Sethe's 'spiritual and terrestrial daughters' as Mother, Daughter, and Spirit. The balance of all three becomes insignificant when she protects her children. Sethe finds herself killing her baby in order to protect her from the horrors of slavery. She finds herself doing all that she can to care and give everything to her children. Similarly, she isolates herself and Denver from the rest of her community, using 124 as their safe haven, even though the 'baby haunts' it.
Relating to Washington's point of view, I believe that Sethe shelters Denver as a result of the 'maimed, dirties, and twisted beyond repair' being that Sethe has become. Sethe doesn't want Denver's once 'whole, perfect, and shining' baby body to dissipate to such ruins, hence her attempts to save Denver and her children from pain (killing her baby, allowing her sons to run away, staying in 124 where they are hidden from the rest of the world). Washington mentions the quote, "The best thing she was, was her children". She even cares for people who are without blood relations and without history, and that is where Beloved comes in. Her unexpected and inexplicable arrival at 124 unperturbed Sethe, and significantly disturbed Paul D. Sethe went on to care for Beloved, like a mother, while Paul D remained wary and vigilant over the course of her presence at 124. Interpreting this from the feminist lens, it pushes me to see Sethe in the traditional motherhood of caring ambiguous characters, and Paul D as the protective and frugal man of the house.
I love how you mentioned that Sethe killed Beloved out of motherly love because many readers and characters within the book think of her as evil for committing infanticide. But mothers do have a spiritual connection with their children and will do anything to protect them. I like how you mentioned that 124 was a safe haven even though it was haunted, but as a black woman and former slave, all Sethe wanted was a better life for her children.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very strong analyzation. Analyzing the role of Sethe as a mother and how she feels towards her children is an ongoing topic found throughout the book. When you mention that she ends up "killing her baby in order to protect her from the horrors of slavery". This statement sends a strong message about Sethe and how much she cares for her children. Even though it means sacraficing her child.
ReplyDeleteGreat introduction of your quotes from "Beloved" in your analysis Cliona I do remember reading how Seth killed beloved in the shed, instead of having her own daughter recaptured or taken away, although she did react in a wrongful manner she had her reasons for doing so.
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