Answer the questions - Book Report/Review Example

Discuss the way Morrison uses nature in Beloved to extend themes, use symbols, or give insight into character or story. (about130 words) Toni Morrison's slavery-era novel, Beloved, portrays nature, especially trees, as nurture and comfort, from the tall sycamores at Sweet Home plantation to the oaks and sloughing pines. Trees and forests both north and south of the Ohio River served as shelters for fugitive slaves, thus providing a safe embrace. However, they also cast occasional sinister shadows, because slaves caught on the run found death on these trees.

Also, when Sethe and Paul D have a row, the narrator feels a forest that divides the two of them, a symbolic image of them being helpless to overcome certain issues. Of course, the most destructive nature theme is the tree on Sethe’s back, representing a physical reminder of brutal lashings, shaped like a chokecherry tree. Nonetheless, Morrison portrays nature as sources of healing, comfort and life. 2.How is memory depicted in Beloved? Think about what a character remembers and what he or she blocks from memory.

Can you make a larger statement on the aspect of memory in our lives, how it hurts or helps us, how it traps us or releases us? (about130 words) These characters, through individual and personal relationship with a ghost are all set to the right path, the path towards a healthier way of life, where they can accept their past and start living in the present. The characters all have different memories which aren’t letting them live in the present, but keep chaining them to the past. For Paul D and Sethe the haunting memories are due to their days as slaves, and additionally for Sethe, the fact that she murdered one of her children.

Memories can have a healing power, but they can just as well have the power to shatter one’s life to pieces and trap him in his past. They should be left in the past and perceived for what they are: remnants of a time gone, which either taught us something, or gave us pleasure pain. 3.The characters experience physical, psychological, and emotional journeys in Beloved. Choose a character and chart his or her path.(about130 words) Sethe starts off her journey of self realization and coming to terms with her past at the very beginning of the novel.

She does perceive herself to be different from the rest, she doesn’t want to wait in line, but rather chooses to steal food from the restaurant. Though highly independent, she accepts Paul D and his companionship. She also immediately succumbs to Beloved’s demands up to such an extent that Beloved becomes the centre of her world. Despite everything, she does love her children. In her mind, she wanted to free them so that they would not suffer the same fate she did. In the course of the novel, we see that she needs to face her demons head on, with bravery and determination, in order to start living a healthy, peaceful, rich and satisfying life. 4. Examine the relationships between Sethe, Denver, Beloved, and Paul D.

How do they support each other and how are they at odds with each other? What do they want from each other? If you drew a diagram of the relationships, what would it be? (You can choose one or two characters, if you want, rather than doing all of them.) (about130 words) The most sacred bond of all is that of mother and child and it takes all sorts of guises of love and devotion. Yet, Sethe’s maternal bonds prevent her from developing herself. Her dangerous maternal passion makes her do the unthinkable: she kills her daughter, her own best self, in an attempt to save her from a life in slavery.

Both Sethe and Beloved are very much emotionally impaired and serve as means of allowing one another to let go of the past and life for today. Beloved is a spectre come back to haunt to woman who killed her. Sethe is the murderer mother. Yet, as the novel progresses, we witness a deep healing process that takes place at the very heart of a mother whose child returned from the grave to haunt her, and made her face her unspeakable deed, so as to finally be able to move on with her life.