”Beloved” is fascinating historical fiction by Toni Morison that discuss the events related to American Civil War.The novel had a girl named “Sethy“as main protagonist.Here in this article you’ll get Beloved Novel Summary.
Author
First I’ll take start with author introduction.Its masterpiece by Toni Morrison highlighting the problems faced by black people back in 19th century.This book was published back in 1987 and had been a great work in historical fiction.
Overview
This blog gonna cover:
- Beloved Characters
- Summary
- Analysis
- Themes
- Conclusion
Characters
Here’s list of characters from the novel beloved by Toni Morrison:
Sethy
She’s the main character and the story moves around her.She had four children that include two sons and two daughters(one daughter was killed having mysterious identity).
Sethy had worked with her husband “Halle“at plantation site at Mr.Garner house.She faced racist behavior their.
Halle
He’s Sethy husband who had devoted himself to the harsh racist treatment for the sake of his mother freedom.
Baby Suggs
She’s Helle mother who lived with Sethy till her death.
School Teacher
It’s major character.He was Mrs.Garner cousin and full of racism.He with his nephew treated Sethy like an animal.
Denver
She’s Sethy fourth child.
Beloved
It’s the mysterious character and I’ll let you know in summary below.
Paul D
He was another man who had faced same racism like Sethy and later joined her.
Toni Morrison Beloved Novel Summary
The story sets in post American Civil war around 1873.First,it tells the past life of Sethy.She had worked as a gardener in Mr.Garner house where she faced unprecedented racism.School Teacher who was cousin of Garner wife’s teased her with his nephew.For the sake of her family, Sethy left that house and reached Halle’s mother(Baby Suggs)house.
The story had another characters who were also slaves and owned by white persons.One of important is Paul D.
Amy Clever helped Sethy when she left that owner and gave delivery to her fourth child “Denver“.After 28 days, school teacher identified her and she resists to go back.She never wanted her children to live the life of a slave and for that purpose she killed her third child(a girl) by cutting her neck.
After this incident, school teacher was shocked and thought may be Sethy lost his mental health.He left her.
Now the story starts in present.Sethy lives with “Denver” in house named “124″.People believed this house had some mysterious history.Some believed there’s some ghosts living there.One day,Paul D moved to this house and started living with this family.He tried to flirt with Sethy.The story changes when a girl named “beloved”appeared on Sethy house.They moved her to the house.
Beloved slowly developed bond with Denver.She started asking questions related to Sethy past like about her diamond earrings.
Slowly, Sethy recognized scar on beloved neck and she confirmed that it’s the ghost of her daughter whom she had killed in past.The ghost tried her best to tease Sethy because of her past crime.
In such circumstances, Paul D learned about Sethy past and left her.A group of 30 women came to house 124 for ghost escape from house.The ghost of beloved fled away and now the Paul D moves back to the house.The story ends when all of three loved together.
Beloved Analysis
This story of novel highlights American civil war.It started from 1861 to 1865.This was all for black people rights.
It was basically the issue between north and south America.One of them was in favor of racism and slavery while other hated it.Many famous personalities especially “Abraham Lincoln”struggled soo much for black people rights.
Coming to the novel,Sethy had faced same racism.She was beaten up and even treated like a animal.This showed the level of racism black people faced.
- This novel motivate you to read history and the cruel behavior faced by black community back in 19th century.
Beloved Themes
The novel emphasize many themes but common ones are:
Slavery and Legacy
The treatment faced by characters of novel shows the level of trauma black people faced as slaves.Further,you’ll get theme of how past hits present like entry of beloved sets the past again infront of Sethy.
Motherhood
Although,Sethy killed her daughter but this was all done because she never wanted her children to face the racism she had tolerated in life.This sets example of motherhood and sacrifice.
Community Support
the novel also highlights the impact of society support.Beloved ghost made sethy mad but the group of womens who helped her in escaping ghost saved her life.This theme shows the impact of social support.
American Civil War
- Its the most common theme of novel.You can read in detail about civil war,click
Freedom
All the characters have the will to live free life.They all dream to break shackles of slavery
Conclusion:Beloved Novel Summary
Beloved by Toni Morrison highlights the events faces by black people in America.The story is historical fiction that defines history by setting characters.Anyone who had interest in history should read this novel.