In "Beloved" by Toni Morrison the character of Denver experiences the most
positive growth of any character. Denver grows up in almost impossible
circumstances and survives. Denver is physically capable of surviving but
becomes emotionally distressed when she learns of what Sethe has done to
Beloved. She fights through her problems and becomes a stronger person because
of them. Denver is the epitome of the quote, "what doesn't kill you, only
makes you stronger." Denver transforms drastically with the departure and
The loss of her brothers and Baby Suggs causes Denver to become isolated
and self-centered. Denver feels like she is detached from the world after her
tragic losses. Denver argues, "I can't live here. Nobody speaks to us.
Nobody comes by. Boys don't like me. Girls don't either" (14). All Denver
has left is Sethe; Denver can not getr acquainted with others in town because
she is rude and anti-social. Morrison states, "Denver hated stories her mother
told that did not concern herself" (162). Denver's immaturity depicts Sethe's
inability to breakout from her past and she is causing Denver to be trapped in
it. Before the arrival of Beloved, Denver had to amuse herself. Morrison
says, "Denver's imagination produced its own hunger and its own food, which she
badly needed because loneliness wore her out" (29). Denver's solitude provides
for tension between Paul D. and her. When he arrived, Morrison adds, "Denver
ran mighty interference and on the third day flat-out asked Paul D. how long he
was going to hang around" (43). The disruption in the life that Denver is so
accustomed causes strong feelings of resentment towards Paul D.
The arrival of Beloved causes Denver's transfrormation to begin. Beloved
brought Denver a new beginning. For the first time
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