The Vulnerable Male Savior

"It took a man to beat off the ghost" (page 123)

"A grown man freed by a girl" (page 149)

A modern day version of Paul D's desired identity.

He believes he must 'man up' 

(Sethe's loyalty must be shown through pregnancy)

to reach his manhood.

These quotes describe a main perspective: that a man is a savior, and a man is vulnerable at the same time. But, how could a man be strong and fearless (attributes given to a 'savior'), and also be gentle at the same time? Paul D's power over society as a man holds true outside of 124, but it seems that inside, he is attached to a woman whose pain and suffering shadows their entire relationship. It seems to be a trade off between a man and a woman; Paul D 'beats off the ghost' and all societal hardship, therefore saving Sethe and her child, and Sethe is a way to 'fix' Paul D's 'manhood' (149). Paul D needs security, and he defines Sethe as that. His shame of being a released 'Sweet Home man' is overtaken by Sethe's presence.

Paul D goes so far to request Sethe have another baby. "I am not a man," Paul D stated, as a it is 'normal for a man's ownership over a woman to be reflected by pregnancy' (155). Paul D relates his manhood to his attachment to Sethe, and her willingness to have a baby with him. It is his way to 'document his manhood and break out of the girl's spell' (151). Paul D, like the man he is, does not like the power that Sethe has over him. He wishes to be numb from her actions, which he identifies as a trait of a real man. He wants Sethe to be loyal and dedicated to their relationship - and his insecurity shows. "Whose ally are you?" Paul D asks Sethe regarding Beloved, himself, and their relationship (152). It seems to me that Paul D does not want to feel insignificant to Sethe, but at the same time, wants to be extremely significant in her life: a double standard.