The After-Life of Slavery

The After-life of Slavery

In the book beloved, we are introduced to many different characters the setting is after slavery to a home where Sethe lives in. Before Sethe moved to 124 home, she lived on the plantation sweet home. She escapes from the underground railroad by the help of a woman. Before, Sethe didn't want to have her children go through slavery as she did. Throughout the book beloved, you see it focused on her older daughter, which she called "Beloved". Throughout the book, you see the different relationships in the book to where you see the characters try to move forward after slavery. You will see how Beloved affected her life after slavery, making Sethe more emotional and guiltier through the time of her freedom. Firstly, in the first chapter in the book, you get a little background about the characters. We are introduced to Baby Suggs, which is Sethe mother-in-law. She is very sad after slavery because she lost all her children besides Halle. Baby Suggs doesn't know where Halle is. Paul D is introduced. A friend of Sethe and Halle at the plantation Sweet home. We see a very deep connection and relationship with Paul D and Sethe.

When Paul D escape from sweet home the goes to 124. This was a friendly relationship he had with her. When Sethe was talking to her other daughter Denver. Denver asked what her mother was thinking about. Sethe told Denver she was thinking about the memories she has. Sethe seems to believe that the past will repeat itself. The one thing to see in the novel is how Sethe is trying to protect her children from the world. She thought killing Beloved was the best choice she has because she didn't want her children going through a life of slavery as she did. Even though they are free Sethe tries to protect Denver in the same context by informing her that the past can repeat itself. Sethe is trying to move forward into freedom and wants her daughter to make the right decisions in the future. Also, Sethe way of relaxing was a place called "Clearing". She takes Denver and Beloved with her. Before Baby Suggs became depressed. Sethe blames herself because she left Halle behind. She would cry and laugh to make herself feel better. She also wanted to love herself for who she was. This was Sethe way of moving forward to freedom with her Daughter Denver. To let go of all the things she didn't love about herself and try to let them go in these moments. She continues to talk about her past with Denver, how she escapes slavery while she was pregnant with her. She describes how she was protected and how she got to 124.

We see Denver and Sethe Relationship change one, because of Beloved and two because of Paul D. Denver didn't care too much for Paul D and Sethe relationship, this made things difficult as they tried to move forward. We see the relationship of moving forward with Baby Suggs and Sethe after she escapes. She sits with Baby Suggs, Sethe seems to be calling at her mother-in-law as if she needs to be comforted. Once Sethe tries to turn for her Baby Suggs for comfort she finds that she is being strangled by her. Beloved comes to confront her and make sure she is okay. Sethe pushed Beloved from her. Denver is thinking that Beloved is the one strangled Sethe. Baby Suggs has a connection with Sethe because of Baby Suggs Son Halle, which Sethe wanted to marry. Baby Sugg wanted to know where her son is, and this is how the relationship between Sethe and Baby Sugg started. Sethe and Baby Suggs were both sad of the lost. Baby Suggs didn't know where Halle is and Sethe is morn for Beloved.

Moving forward they found ways to clear their thoughts. Baby Suggs later fell into a deep depression and died because of the effects of slavery Secondly, you see the "afterlife" of slavery through beloved. Throughout the novel, you are to believe she still alive but actually, she isn't. Sethe is still grieving the loss of her daughter and see Sethe. As beloved is living with Sethe and Denver they start to care for her. Even though she doesn't seem to be sick or anything. It shows that Sethe has sympathy for Beloved. Sethe tries to be more caring for Beloved than anyone else. Throughout the entire novel, you see that Sethe try to put the death of her daughter so deep back where she actually forgets and take her in to care for her. This shows how mentally slavery affected people even after slavery ended. Sethe becomes more open with her daughters about her past and the choice she made. Part of the reason why is because Beloved is back in her life. The choices she made with Beloved make her realized that she has to be more open with her other daughter Denver. Beloved starts to hang around the house more epically with Denver.

Once Denver sees Beloved actions she starts to wonder if she can Stop Beloved from hurting Sethe. Paul D seems to want to be more than just friends with Sethe. When he is free, the first thing he does is try to find Sethe. Once they reconnected you see them trying to move forward after slavery, even though they still shared stories about the plantation. Even though they shared their hard times they still want to move forward with their lives. Paul D, Denver, and Sethe goes to a carnival for Blacks enjoy themselves. At this point they all are happy. After Paul D discovered what Sethe did to her eldest daughter he left to figure out what is next from him. He tries to make Beloved understand why her mother killed her. Paul D tries to find comfort with Sethe because of he like her. He wanted to move forward with her and realize that what he wanted after slavery wasn't all he wanted to be. It was difficult after slavery finding love and what was next for them.

In conclusion, Through Beloved, we see how difficult life after slavery affected everyone. From moving forward to where to go, with moving on from the emotional pain of the death of Sethe oldest Daughter. Even though slavery ended, it was still a challenge for African Americans to move forward with their lives. It took Sethe 18 years after and some to grieve her daughter death. In the book, Paul D talks to Sethe. Sethe said, "She was my best thing" (). You see Sethe is more caring for Beloved after slavery, while Sethe and Denver explained the events leading up to when they came to 124. Beloved makes everyone question the past, while they still try to move forward. She is the "after life" for them.

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