The Importance of Freedom

As Sethe reminisces over the way 124 was when she first arrived there with her newborn baby, she recalls that Baby Suggs used to preach to former slaves and their families in a clearing in the woods.  Morrison uses repetition along haunting images of slavery in order to clearly juxtapose the happiness experienced through being part of Baby Sugg’s community and the horror experienced under slavery.  Sethe tells that Baby Suggs taught that “in this here place, we flesh; flesh that weeps, laughs… Love it. Love it hard” (103).  All who have gathered in the clearing are free to express themselves however they want to and for that they should be truly grateful.  Morrison repeats the phrase “love it” to the highlight how important it is for these former slaves to appreciate their freedom.  This point is made clearer as Baby Suggs goes on to say, “Yonder they do not love your flesh…  No more do they love the skin on your back.  Yonder they flay it” (103).  In this instance, “Yonder” can be interpreted as anyplace away from the tight knit community created by Baby Suggs or as within the institution of slavery.  Either way it is a terrible place, for Morrison uses the image of flayed skin, which is commonly associated with the cruelty of slavery.  The haunting image that goes along with “Yonder” is juxtaposed with the happiness experienced in the clearing as Baby Suggs implores her followers to “Love your hands! Raise them up and kiss them” (103).  Being part of Baby Suggs community is wonderful and liberating, while being under slavery is horrible and terrifying.  By showing the great influence Baby Suggs had over all her followers, Morrison is able to give an idea of the drastic effect her death and absence has had on Sethe.