Beloved 4

When Sethe realizes Beloved is her daughter, she becomes excited and starts to speak in fragments and short sentences. Toni Morrison uses the motif of communication to show how Sethe keeps looking for someone who will know her story and accept it without casting her out like her community did. She starts off talking about Beloved, saying: “She come back to me of her own free will and I don’t have to explain a thing” (236). Connecting the two clauses with a coordinating conjunction shows how Sethe connects her daughter coming to her “of her own free will” and not having to explain anything. Although it seems like cause and consequence, (because Beloved returned willingly, therefore Sethe doesn’t feel obliged to explain anything), the “and” as well as the removed comma also makes the sentence have the same impact as a short list—Sethe is listing what makes Beloved’s return so great. Sethe then repeats, “I’ll explain to her, even though I don’t have to” (236). Sethe reassures herself promptly after deciding she’ll explain her actions by saying “even though I don’t have to.” The repetition of the idea that she doesn’t have to explain herself furthers the significance of how relieved Sethe is not to have to defend herself. It has been difficult to explain having killed her baby—she only tried with Paul D and even then he did not accept her explanation. Sethe continues to encourage herself by saying “she’ll understand, because she understands everything already” (236). Because Morrison repeats this idea three times, he explicitly shows the importance of having someone understand Sethe. She is comforted that her daughter loves her in spite of and despite her horrible action. With Beloved’s understanding Sethe can tell her story without shame. However, Sethe goes on to tell her story to herself and not Beloved, showing that all it takes is understanding and acceptance to allow her to let in her past.