Beloved, By Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison was born on February 18, 1931, in Lorain, Ohio. Growing up during the Depression, Morrison witnessed the struggle of her parents, George and Ramah Wills Wofford, as they worked multiple jobs to support their four children. Because of their experiences with racism, they also emphasized the value and strength of African-American individuals, families, and communities. Music and storytelling were also valued in Morrison’s home, and dreams and ghostly apparitions were often featured in the stories people told each other.

A "3" sentence synopsis - Beloved tells the story of a woman haunted by the daughter she murdered rather than have returned to slavery. Part ghost story, part realistic narrative, the novel examines the mental and

Denver - isolated in house with Sethe, she deals with her isolation by creating an emerald play world in a section of boxwood bushes. Denver always wants to hear the story of her birth; stories that concerned herself, when Beloved comes into the plot, she puts all of her affection towards her, but soon realized that beloved may be a dangerous individual. Paul D. - sold from sweet home, and put into georgia prison, but escapes later on. He was ready for a life with Sethe until Beloved came along and seduced him. He soon realized - when Beloved leaves - that he wants to put his story next to Sethe’s. Baby Suggs - serves as illustration of how slavery separates families, anybody she knew, let alone loved, who hadn’t run off or been hanged, got rented out, loaned out, bought up, brought back, stored up, mortgaged, won, stolen or seized. Stamp Paid - is witness to the “Misery” that occurs when the schoolteacher comes to take Sethe back to slavery, and prevents her from killing Denver as well, shows Paul D a newspaper clipping about Sethe’s arrest. When he returns to the house to try to set things straight with Sethe, he sees Beloved, and it is through Stamp Paid that the community learns Sethe is in trouble. Schoolteacher - example of one who