Repressing Memories

From the beginning, I had certain expectations for Beloved as a neo-slave narrative. I was looking for the importance of collective memory, emphasis on tradition, a strong mother/daughter relationship, and definitely the sharing of a history. So far, however, Toni Morrison approaches many of these themes that are very prevalent in other slave narratives in a different way.

The biggest surprise to me was the emphasis on repressing memories. Baby Suggs has lost the memories of her eight children, and much of her past life. Sethe, most importantly, finds it too difficult to think about the past and has forgotten much about her two sons. Denver tells us that Sethe doesn't share with her memories or stories about Sweet Home, where she lived as a slave. Only when Paul D visits do the memories start to slowly come out.

The surprise I felt is because in other neo-slave narratives and works, there is traditionally an emphasis on sharing history and memories in order to solidify a collective identity the enslaved. Sethe's memory repression is sure to affect her and Denver's sense of identity because they will not be able to align themselves with an important group to which they belong.

These painful memories, so painful that Baby Suggs dies under their weight, need to be kept alive so that the history remains true and in mind of the people. I likened this to 100 Years of Solitude because if memory is wiped out, then we are doomed to repeat history with all of its flaws.