TJ Pope
Kody Partridge
AP Lang/Comp – Per. 3
26 March 2012
Fractured Memories: Beloved Analysis
In Beloved, Toni Morrison uses burdensome language in the description
of Sethe’s repressed past. Morrison
describes the caring figure, Nan, as pulling Sethe away from the piles of dead
bodies where her mother lies; all the while she spoke in “different words” (74). As Sethe rightfully struggles to recall
her past, she does distinctly remember the “different words” that Nan
spoke. Sethe remembers the native
“words” they spoke as a symbol of slavery, and after liberation blacks adopted a
“different” language as they started a “different” life. Moreover, by detailing Sethe’s memories
in “different words” opposed to a different language
or tongue further displays Sethe’s
addled and fractured past.
Morrison continues on to detail that Nan’s commentary was merely “words
Sethe understood then but could neither recall nor repeat now” (74). Despite the overall somber or ominous
tone, Morrison astutely displays Sethe’s trouble with remembering her past. Morrison uses the adverbs “then” and
“now” to show the clear divide in Sethe’s past, amidst and post slavery. Writing “then” defines her painful past
of forgotten memories whereas “now” defines
her promising future. Furthermore,
Sethe’s vague memory is fractured into “understood” words that she “could
neither recall nor repeat.” The
“understood” words were the evils of slavery that she knew all too well;
however, she could not or would not like to “recall” those horrible times – in
order to avoid her own misery – and she doesn’t discuss them in hopes of never “repeat[ing]”
them. Sethe’s past is fragmented
into forgotten memories which she can’t remember and repressed memories which doesn’t
want to remember making it nearly impossible for her to repeat.
TJ, this analysis is strong and has potential. First, just to give some clarity and set-up, you should consider starting your analysis with a succinct sentence about the scene in the book in which you are analyzing or some summary to the events happening around your selected passage. I like how you use the word "fragmented," as in Sethe's memory is fragmented due to the tribulations of her past, but I believe you should build on that idea of fragmentation because it is imperative to your analysis. Implicitly state the idea of fragmentation towards the beginning because it would abet your analysis. Furthermore, looking at a third piece of evidence would only help support your claim, and you could expand and look at the complexities of a fragmented past. Overall, I like your approach, and with some minor revisions, you would have a great analysis.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Enzo that it might be a good idea to start your analysis with a description of the scene. It would be helpful to place more emphasis on the divide between Sethe's past and present. It is an important idea that would benefit from deeper analysis. I also think it would help to explain the idea of fragmented memories in greater detail. Overall, your ideas about this scene are very good, but just need some polishing.
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