Beloved A Darkness in 124
What is the significance of the number 124? Is the number 124 merely a place or can it actually be characterized as something more important in this novel? In my opinion 124 is more significant than a simple address. The number 124 can be characterized as one of the main characters within the novel. This number is not only significant because it is the origin of the haunting character of Beloved, but it is in fact Beloved the character at various points within the novel. Once the spirit of Beloved began haunting the house, the address lost its existence as an anonymous home. Once Sethe's love had caused her to murder her child, her home became a new identity. This identity was known for the sad and spiteful spirit of the child and the horrific actions that had occurred at the address rather than the home of the well-loved Baby Suggs and her daughter-in-law. Toni Morrison portrays the importance and the significance of 124 in the story within the first few lines: "124 was spiteful. Full of a baby's venom. The women in the house knew it and so did the children. For years each put up with the spite in his won way, but by 1873 Sethe and her daughter were its only victims"(11). Although it
As time goes on, the lives of Beloved and Sethe slowly become reversed. This is why Denver resents Paul D when he comes to live at 124. Things became what they were: drabness looked drab; heat was hot. The object 124 that is "full of a baby's venom. Once the ladies in the community had chased off Beloved, 124 became a drab, colorless place once again. The longer that Sethe is in 124, the more delusional and weak she becomes to Beloved's torture. After Beloved's death, 124 became void of all color and emotion. Beloved uses 124 to separate her and Sethe from the rest of the world. 124 has now become a home rather than Beloved's haunting arena.
Common topics in this essay:
Paul D's,
Denver Sethe's,
Toni Morrison,
Beloved Beloved,
Beloved Darkness,
Baby Suggs,
Beloved Sethe,
Sethe Sethe,
Morrison's Beloved,
Baby Suggs',
beloved 124,
paul d's,
significance 124,
baby suggs,
paul d's presence,
spiteful spirit,
spirit beloved,
124 beloved,
baby's venom,
role novel,
world living,
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Acceptance Essays
