Her Stolen Humanity

In Toni Morrison's novel Beloved the reader is constantly reminded of the horrific nature of slavery on the basic human level. Though we all understand this on the broad scale this is truly unique book because it manages gets into the head of characters who have lived through it.

During the first section of the book we see the reaction of Baby Suggs, who having her freedom bought for her by her son, and how she reacts to this new freedom. One of the most startling moments during that chapter is when Baby Suggs feels her own heartbeat and for the first time relates it to herself is an excellent example of this.

Also when her master Mr. Garner calls her by the name Jenny and she does not relate it to herself, and seems to associate no name with herself is such a foreign concept to most readers who's name is directly linked with their sense of self.

Another aspect of life that is so drastically altered by slavery, and easily overlooked, is the family dynamic. Without the stability that freedom offers becoming attached to ones children or your partner can be extremely dangerous because it could have been taken away at any time.

This lack of stability created a need for distancing between children and parents that is very obvious with Sethe's interactions with her mother and how Baby Suggs treated her own children. When Sethe sees Schoolteacher's hat, and her resulting actions, are an example of how without that freedom and the threat of losing it once again, forces her to react in such an unimaginable way. Sethe's actions are even compared to being animalistic when Paul D comments to her that she has two legs not four, and therefore she should have acted in a more human way instead of acting on animal instinct, taking away her humanity once again.

Overall, this novel does an excellent job of showing how inhumane all 'levels'of slavery are due to the lack of freedom and stability that the slaves have.

-AFTRGTRBFAFTR-*

-A First-Time Reader's Guide to Reading Beloved From a First-Time Reader*

*WARNING: This first-time reader has not fully finished this book yet and will, upon ending it, inform you if        this advice is actually useful.*

To read Toni Morrison's novel, Beloved, you have to know that you are setting out on a journey, and not necessarily one that is going to always be light and pleasant or make sense right away. That is not to say that this book isn't great and isn't worth reading it just takes some level of commitment. 

Hints:

1.) Just accept everything the way it is.

-If you spend too much time trying to figure out what the author could maybe sort of mean when you're reading you're going to miss the fact that Morrison is giving you huge hints for later in the book and general base information you need to have.

-It's more fun that way.

2.) Reread the first chapter.

- This chapter didn't make any sense to me when I first started, (probably because I was lacking in such a guide but alas!), so it really helped to reread this chapter with  the different mindset the chapter gives you.

- You pick up more of the very important hints that Morrison is leaving because you can associate them with character you know, not just a new random name. 

3.) If it seems odd or important when you're reading it, it probably is important.

-This goes back to the fact that Morrison loves leaving hints, so trust your gut and just go for what you think is odd or important and keep track of that.

4.) After the first few chapters, make sure you have a good idea of the different styles and thought processes of the different characters.

- This will help you know when new characters are being added or when there is a change in time.

5.) Make a friend read this book too.

- Just do it, bribe them, beg them, sign them up for English classes without their knowledge, whatever it takes because it will make it more enjoyable. 

- Having a friend reading this book at the same time as you will give you someone to bounce ideas off of and to share reactions in general with.

- Friends don't let friends read solo.

6.) Please try to enjoy this book! (Be open-minded)

-If you go into it saying "Gahhhhh another trippy book just give me some hyper realism please!" You most likely aren't going to enjoy it. But if you go, "Oh well hmm this book is rather odd, but for some reason I can't put it down, not yet." you're in better shape.

- Characters are people too, they're flawed. Remember that.