Depiction
of themes 'Sex, Loyalty and Drugs' in Morrison's Beloved
Shreya
M.A. (English)
Sharda University
Greater Noida, Uttar
Pradesh, India
Abstract:
Sex, Drugs, and Loyalty in Toni Morrison's
Beloved" explores the complex interplay of these three themes in
Morrison's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Through an analysis of the characters'
relationships, the use of medicinal and recreational substances, and the
central theme of maternal love, this paper examines how sex, drugs, and loyalty
intersect and influence one another in the lives of the novel's African
American characters. Morrison delves into the complex relationships between
individuals and their pasts, as well as the societal pressures and expectations
that shape their actions. Ultimately, the paper argues that Morrison uses these
themes to explore the trauma of slavery and its ongoing impact on the lives of
those who were enslaved and their descendants. Overall, Morrison's depiction of
sex, loyalty, and drugs in 'Beloved' offers a nuanced exploration of the
complexities of the human experience, particularly in the context of slavery
and its aftermath.
Keywords:
Drugs, interplay, loyalty, sex, slavery
Introduction
"Beloved"
is a novel written by Toni Morrison and published in 1987. The story is set in
the mid-19th century and is based on the true story of Margaret Garner, an
African-American woman who escaped slavery in Kentucky and killed one of her
children rather than see her returned to slavery.
The
novel is divided into three parts and centers on the character of Sethe, a
former slave who has escaped to Ohio and is living with her teenage daughter,
Denver. Sethe is haunted by the memory of her baby daughter who she killed to
spare her from a life of slavery. The ghost of the baby, who is called Beloved,
returns to haunt Sethe and her family and disrupt their lives.
The
novel explores themes of slavery, trauma, memory, and the legacy of slavery in
the United States. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988 and is
considered a masterpiece of American literature. The novel has been adapted
into a film and a stage play, and it continues to be widely read and studied
today.
The
novel addresses the physical and psychological violence inflicted upon enslaved
individuals, including rape, beatings, and the separation of families. It also
explores the emotional and psychological toll of slavery on both individuals
and communities, and the ways in which the legacy of slavery continues to shape
American society.
Morrison's
writing is known for its poetic language and powerful imagery, and
"Beloved" is no exception. The novel is both haunting and beautiful,
and its themes and characters continue to resonate with readers today.
"Beloved" is a groundbreaking work of literature that has had a significant
impact on the way we think about race, slavery, and the legacy of the past in
the United States.
About Toni Morrison
Toni
Morrison (born Chloe Ardelia Wofford) was an American novelist, essayist,
editor, and professor. She was born on February 18, 1931, in Lorain, Ohio, and
died on August 5, 2019, in New York City.
Morrison
is widely regarded as one of the most influential and important authors of the
20th century. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993, becoming
the first Black woman to receive the prestigious award. Morrison's writing
often explored themes of race, identity, and the African American experience,
and her work is known for its poetic language, complex characters, and vivid
storytelling.
Some
of her most famous works include "Beloved," which won the Pulitzer
Prize for Fiction in 1988, as well as "Song of Solomon," "The
Bluest Eye," and "Sula." In addition to her writing, Morrison
was a longtime professor at Princeton University and held numerous other
academic positions throughout her career.
Morrison's
legacy has had a significant impact on American literature and culture, and her
works continue to be widely read and studied today.
Themes
Toni Morrison's Beloved is a novel that
explores themes of sex, loyalty, and drugs in the lives of its characters.
Through the stories of Sethe, Denver, and Beloved, Morrison reveals how these
themes intersect and impact their lives. In this research paper, we will delve
into the ways in which Morrison portrays sex, loyalty, and drugs in Beloved and
how they shape the characters and the novel's overall message.
Sex
in Beloved
Sexuality is a theme that runs throughout
Beloved. Morrison portrays sex as a means of both pleasure and power. For
Sethe, sex is a way to reclaim her body and assert her agency. After enduring
the trauma of slavery and sexual abuse, Sethe sees sex as a way to assert her
own desires and reclaim her own body. She has sex with Paul D as a way to
connect with him emotionally and physically. The scene in which they have sex
is depicted as a moment of intense intimacy and connection, as Sethe finally
feels seen and understood by another person. However, sex is also portrayed as
a means of control and domination. The character of Schoolteacher, who
represents the white slave owners, uses sex as a tool to assert his power over
his female slaves. He has sex with Sethe and other female slaves as a way to
demonstrate his dominance and control. Similarly, the character of Beloved uses
sex to manipulate and control Paul D. She seduces him in order to keep him away
from Sethe and to assert her own power over him.
However, sex in "Beloved" is not
always depicted as a positive or liberating experience. The novel also explores
the ways in which sex has been used as a tool of oppression and violence
against black bodies. The character of Beloved herself is the product of the
sexual violence inflicted upon her mother Sethe by the white slave owner, and
her presence in the novel serves as a constant reminder of the ways in which
black bodies were dehumanized and commodified through sexual violence.
Furthermore, the novel also depicts the ways in which black women's sexuality
has been policed and controlled throughout history. The character of Baby
Suggs, for example, is a former slave who finds liberation in her own body and
sexuality, but she is ultimately punished and silenced by the white community
for daring to express her sexuality in public. The novel also explores the ways
in which sex can be a way for characters to reclaim their agency and power in
the face of systemic oppression. The character of Sethe, for example, engages
in a sexual relationship with Paul D as a way to assert her own desires and autonomy,
despite the fact that she has been subjected to a lifetime of sexual violence
and exploitation.
Morrison sheds light on the ways in which
these identities have been used to both empower and oppress marginalized
communities, and invites the reader to reflect on the ongoing legacy of these
issues in contemporary society. It explores the ways in which the maternal body
has been exploited and commodified under slavery, as well as the psychological
toll that this exploitation has taken on black mothers. The character of
Beloved, who is the embodiment of Sethe's lost daughter, also serves as a
representation of the complex and often fraught relationship between mother and
child. The novel explores the ways in which the trauma of slavery has disrupted
this relationship, making it difficult for Sethe to connect with her children
and for them to connect with each other. Sex explores the ways in which the
body itself is a site of trauma and memory. The scars and wounds on Sethe's
back, for example, serve as a physical reminder of the violence and abuse she
has experienced. The novel also explores the ways in which memories and trauma
are stored in the body, leading to physical and psychological manifestations of
pain and suffering.
In the majority of these cases, sexual
activity is interpreted skeptically.
For example, when Paul D and Sethe have sex
for the first time, they both walk away disappointed. Paul D, once fascinated
by deep scars on his back, was quickly fed up with Sethe's scars. Another
example of sex in the book is when the "milk is stolen" when Sete is
raped by her schoolteacher's nephew. Her husband Halle watches from the
haystack and is unable to stop her heinous deeds. He was so disturbed by the
encounter that he abandoned Sete and her children. Another negative example is
described when Paul D. went to jail and was forced to perform oral sex on the
man next to him. "Convinced he was next, Paul D strangled him."
(127.) Paul D also chooses to have sex with Sethe in the morning, mainly to
avoid a "shining" lover whom he fears has sexual desires.
It seems like an innocent act of nature, but
the two nesting turtles have a premonition that the darling "dropped the
folds of her skirt...her hem blackened with water." finish. (124).
Finally, the darling compels Paul D. to have sex with her against his will,
calling him "Call my name [darling]" (137.)
Looking at the product of sex also reveals the
flaws of sex that Morrison seeks to express. Two of Sethe's children have
abandoned her as did her husband, one of them being a somewhat spoiled immature
brat and the fourth haunting her family's home. Overall, Darling portrays sex
in a very negative light—almost all situations are portrayed negatively, with
the exception of the cornfield situation where Halle and Sethe consummate their
marriage for the first time. In three major cases there is even rape, the
ultimate perversion of sexual activity. When I think about all these negative
attitudes and coercions about sex, I think Morrison shows a sex power struggle.
She is also Paul D. Although sex is thought to be an act of trust between two
parties in love, Morrison often has sex with his beloved. It is a complex
exploration in which sex has been both liberating and oppressive for black
bodies throughout history. Morrison's depiction of sex serves as a way to shed
light on the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality, and to explore the
ways in which these identities have been used to control and exploit
marginalized communities
Loyalty
in Beloved
Loyalty is another major theme in Beloved.
Morrison portrays loyalty as both a source of strength and a source of
weakness. Sethe's loyalty to her children is a driving force in the novel. She
is willing to do anything to protect them, including killing her own daughter.
Sethe's loyalty to her children is also what motivates her to flee from Sweet
Home and begin a new life. Her loyalty to her children is both admirable and
tragic, as it ultimately leads to her own destruction. Denver's loyalty to
Beloved is another example of loyalty in the novel. Denver is willing to
sacrifice her own happiness and well-being for the sake of Beloved. She becomes
increasingly isolated from the outside world as she devotes herself to taking
care of Beloved. Denver's loyalty to Beloved is also what ultimately leads to
her own liberation, as she realizes that she must let go of her loyalty to
Beloved in order to move on with her own life.
One example of loyalty in the novel is the
bond between Sethe and her daughter Denver. Sethe is fiercely loyal to Denver,
and is willing to do anything to protect her. This is demonstrated when Sethe
kills her own infant daughter rather than allow her to be taken back into
slavery. Although this act may seem extreme, it is an expression of Sethe's
loyalty to her children and her determination to protect them at all costs.
Denver, in turn, is loyal to her mother, and becomes her caretaker as Sethe
descends into madness. Denver's loyalty is also evident in her refusal to leave
her mother's side, even when it means sacrificing her own happiness and
well-being. Another example of loyalty in the novel is the bond between Sethe
and Paul D. Despite the traumas they have both endured, they remain fiercely
loyal to one another. Paul D is able to help Sethe confront her past and move
forward, and she in turn is able to offer him the emotional support he needs to
confront his own demons.
The novel also explores the theme of loyalty
on a broader level, particularly in the context of the African American
community. The characters in the novel are united by their shared history of
slavery and the injustices they have suffered. Despite their differences, they
remain loyal to one another, recognizing that they are all part of a larger
struggle for freedom and equality.
Drugs
in Beloved
Drugs are also a significant theme in
Beloved. Morrison portrays drugs as a means of escape and self-medication.
Sethe uses alcohol as a way to numb herself from the pain of her past. She
drinks to forget the trauma of slavery and the loss of her daughter. Similarly,
Paul D uses tobacco as a way to cope with the trauma of his own past. He smokes
to numb himself from the pain of his experiences as a slave. Beloved also uses
drugs as a means of escape. She consumes sugar and sweets obsessively, which is
symbolic of her desire to escape from the pain of her own past. Beloved's
addiction to sugar is also a way for her to assert control over her own body
and to assert her own desires.
For example, Sethe, the main character, uses
a mixture of alcohol and morphine to cope with the trauma of having killed her
own child to prevent her from being enslaved. The drug allows Sethe to escape
into a dreamlike state where she can temporarily forget the pain of her past.
Similarly, Baby Suggs, Sethe's mother-in-law, turns to snuff as a way of coping
with the trauma of slavery. She describes the drug as a way of "stopping
the mouth from shouting." For her, snuff is a way of numbing herself to
the pain and injustice of slavery, allowing her to find some peace in the
present.
However, the use of drugs in Beloved is not
portrayed as a positive or healthy coping mechanism. Rather, it is depicted as
a form of self-destructive behavior that ultimately perpetuates the characters'
suffering. Sethe's addiction to morphine leads her to neglect her children and
her responsibilities, ultimately leading to her isolation and loneliness.
Similarly, Baby Suggs' reliance on snuff leads to her withdrawal from the world
and her eventual death. Furthermore, Morrison also uses drugs as a metaphor for
the larger societal issues that the characters face. The addictive nature of
drugs can be seen as a parallel to the addictive nature of the system of
slavery that the characters are trying to escape. Just as drugs provide
temporary relief but ultimately perpetuate the cycle of addiction and
suffering, so too does the legacy of slavery continue to haunt the characters
long after they have physically escaped it. The use of drugs in Beloved serves
as a powerful symbol of the characters' struggle to come to terms with the
trauma of slavery. Through their addiction and the negative consequences that
come with it, Morrison shows the destructive power of the legacy of slavery on
individuals and society as a whole.
Finally, the use of drugs in Beloved also
highlights the role of memory in the characters' lives. The characters here are
haunted by memories of their respective pasts and drugs obviously offer a
temporary way to escape from them.
However, the memories cannot be fully suppressed, and they continue to resurface
and cause pain and suffering. This is seen in Sethe's recurring nightmares
about her dead daughter and in Baby Suggs' withdrawal from the world as she
becomes increasingly consumed by her memories. Through the characters'
addiction and negative consequences that come with it, Morrison shows the
destructive power of the legacy of slavery on individuals and society as a
whole. At the same time, she uses drug abuse to explore themes of agency,
control, and memory, providing a nuanced and complex portrayal of the
experiences of the characters in the aftermath of slavery.
Conclusion
In
conclusion, sex, loyalty, and drugs are three major themes in Toni Morrison's
Beloved. Morrison portrays sex as a means of both pleasure and power, and shows
how it can be used to assert agency or to dominate others. Loyalty is portrayed
as both a source of strength and a source of weakness, and is shown to have
both positive and negative consequences. Drugs are depicted as a means of
escape and self-medication, and are used by characters to cope with the trauma
of their past. Through the portrayal of these themes, Morrison creates a
complex and nuanced exploration of the human experience. Morrison challenges
readers to grapple with the complexities of the human condition and to confront
the lasting legacy of slavery in America.
Works
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