symbol/motif of croaker sack

Morrison uses the symbol of a croaker sack to create a paradoxical comparison between Paul D and Sethe’s different opinions of showing affection. Paul D believes that loving too much is risky, “and if they broke its [child] back, and shoved it in a croaker sack” he could have love left over for someone else (54). The internal rhyme of this saying expresses the simplicity and significance it has in Paul D’s mind; do not love children too much, as they could die at any moment. When Sethe crosses the Ohio River and reaches the other side, a woman appears  “with a croaker sack” and “greeted her” (107). She then continues “taking a wool blanket, cotton cloth, two baked sweet potatoes and a pair of men’s shoes from the sack” (108). Here, the croaker sack resurfaces, this time with positive connotations; these items actually save both the Sethe’s life and her baby’s. The “croaker sack” associated with Sethe seems to contain goods that save her baby’s life, whereas Paul D’s croaker sack contains dead babies. The symbol of a croaker sack symbolizes both Paul D’s conservative love and Sethe’s faith in love. The croaker sack essentially compares affection and death to affection and life, reflecting the contrasting experiences and perspectives of Paul D and Sethe.