Beloved and Numerology
In literature, numbers are used to communicate important messages to the reader. The author uses references to numbers to strengthen the important ideas of the novel. In many cultures numbers carry an important or significant meaning to them. These numbers can carry a meaning more efficiently than using only words. In Beloved, Toni Morrison uses references to numbers to emphasize the significant ideas of the novel. Morrison uses these numbers to represent the persistence of slavery brought upon in Sethe's life, her children's life, Paul D.'s life, and Baby Suggs life, after slavery has ended. These references to numbers are important because they show how these characters are affected after it has ended. Through physical means, through the actions of these characters, and through psychological means of these characters, Morrison shows the haunting continuation and aftereffects of slavery. In many novels the first sentence is the most important sentence in the novel. The first sentence can set the way for the remainder of the novel. In Beloved the first sentence, and first word of the entire novel uses numbers. Because numbers are used first, before any words, I find that the references to numbers are very important. 12
Beloved never allows Sethe to be free or never gives her anytime to realize she is being controlled. This sentence is in all capital letters and also bold print. When taking a look at Sethe's children: Howard, Buglar, Beloved and Denver, a relationship is brought upon between her four children and 124. When Baby Suggs dies, Paul D soon replaces this trinity. The trinity is powerful and carries strength. When adding up the numbers in 124 the amount is seven. Three is also an important reference to number in this novel as well as a psychological means to show the continuation of slavery on these characters. This number used on the page sets up the haunting story of slavery in one particular black household. The number refers to the house number in which the main characters live in. He uses that sentence to end the relationship because he cannot stand being physically enslaved by 124 or psychologically enslaved by Beloved. The next trinity that Morrison uses is the human trinity. look up to Sethe; they both fight to be hers only.
Common topics in this essay:
Howard Buglar,
Sethe Denver,
Baby Suggs,
Morrison Beloved,
SPITEFUL Morrison,
Denver Beloved,
Denver Sethe,
Paul Sethe,
Morrison Sethe,
Sethe Morrison,
baby suggs,
sethe denver,
howard buglar,
actions characters,
continuation slavery,
human trinity,
complete control,
sethe killed beloved,
beloved sethe,
trinity beloved,
morrison references,
dead third child,
ghost flesh bone,
124 howard buglar,
trinity beloved sethe,
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Acceptance Essays
