Sethe's Strength
The book Beloved has some of the most impressive characters in all of literature. Sethe being one of the most powerful and mentally strong characters in the book, is at the top of the list. She has endured so much trauma, but pushes on with strong determination. Despite making the decision that most could not, her morality and character are judged by many other characters in the book. While it might not be possible to truly justify the decision that Sethe made, it clearly shows how driven she is by her love for her children.
Sethe is willing to do anything for her children, and pushes through several traumatic events. She had escaped slavery after being violated then whipped, and while still injured, so she could get her milk to her babies. Sethe is even forced through the worst situation of her life where she has to try to kill her children. However, many other characters are frightened by the determination that Sethe has. Of course none of us could truly imagine what it would be like for Sethe, or for anyone in the community to hear of such an event. But Sethe did not have any other choice, either her children are enslaved, or she must kill them to protect them from it. It is obvious that her choice was the best for her children, and we can as readers can accept her despite how many others in her own community react.
The community in Cincinnati never seemed supportive of Sethe, or her family. When Baby Suggs hosted her celebration for her family escaping slavery, the community seemed slightly resentful. And when school teacher and the other slave catchers came looking for them, no one was sent to 124 to warn them like usual. Not only did they not do anything to help, but after Sethe was forced into killing one of her own children and Schoolteacher no longer wanted Sethe or any of the formerly enslaved people, they were pushed away from the rest of society.
This complicates after the grown up Beloved suddenly appears one night, and as Beloved spends more and more time with Sethe, Sethe begins to realize that she is the spirit of her dead daughter. Sethe loses herself more and more it seems as Beloved becomes more and more abusive towards her. Sethe wants Beloved to understand why she had to do what she did. She goes through this all alone except for Denver. In the end, after Beloved disappears, Sethe is increadibly distraught, but the books ending insinuates that she can now move on. "So they forgot her. Like an unpleasant dream during a troubling sleep."
Sethe is the most mentally strong character that I've ever seen in any book, and slavery and its lasting effects have bombarded her over decades, until we see her almost broken at the end of the book. This image accentuates how unimagenably horrible this glimpse into slavery and its effects is.
I agree that Sethe's unraveling is harder to absorb in part because she seems like an almost superhuman character before this--a kind of mythical uber-mother who possesses otherworldly strength and determination. We can grasp how profound this trauma is, in part, because it brings down such a strong character. But it's important that we also view her NOT as superhuman but as human, vulnerable, loving, and feeling--she is not actually made of iron, even though she's often described that way. The complex grief and guilt and loss that this single event has created is something that she ultimately has to grapple with, and it nearly kills her.
ReplyDeleteHi Charlie, great post! I agree when you mention how strong of a character Sethe is. She is so complex and there are points in the book where we start to question her character a lot. But i think deep down she has experienced so much trauma, and that really changes a person, and they can only be so strong up to a certain point. She is human and she sometimes acts on her emotions like anyone else would.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Charlie. I think that Sethe's character is a ridiculously strong character and one that we can all be impressed by. However, it is comforting to the reader to know that even someone as strong as her can break down sometimes. But to be fair she goes through much more trauma than anyone should in their lifetime. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post! You do a nice job of providing evidence for your claims and the post flows very nicely. I find it really interesting that you say Sethe's actions may not have been justified, but her love for her children is proven strong through them, and I agree. The fact that she can love her children so much to do what she did in order to save them is incredible. Sethe's character is so complex, and yet her morals (in her eyes at least) are quite simple. Sethe will forever be one of the bravest characters in literature. Great job!
ReplyDeleteCool post, Charles! Sethe is an emotionally and mentally strong character. People start to question her actions but don't actually take into account what she went through and the choices she faced. It's important how you note that Sethe would do anything for her children, even if that means saving them from the atrocities of slavery by killing them. While the people in her community might look down on her for these actions, we have the perspective to know that she did it out of compassion for her children. Great job!
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