Is This Revenge Or Is This Love?

Is This Revenge Or Is This Love?

Beloved is without a doubt one of the most intriguing characters of Toni Morrison’s novel.  This is not only because her origin is unknown and she is possibly the baby girl come back to life, but because her intentions are so unclear.  At times it seems like Beloved has come back for revenge on Sethe, and other times it appears she has a great love for her.  These two sides of Beloved become very apparent in the chapter form Beloved’s perspective on page 214.

We first see the side of revenge early on in Beloved’s appearance at 124.  Sethe takes Denver and Beloved to Baby Suggs’ clearing and while Sethe is reflecting, invisible fingers begin to choke her.  Sethe believes that this was the spirit of Baby Suggs’ who misinterpreted her wish for Baby Suggs to rub her neck.  Denver, however, thinks otherwise and accuses Beloved, “You did it, I saw you… You made her choke” (101).  Beloved denies the accusation but Denver remains convinced in what she saw.  This action is a clear display of punishment towards Sethe.  Later on in the novel, the chapter from Beloved’s perspective further illustrates an intention of revenge.  The chapter is written almost poetically and shifts between a conversation with Denver and Beloved, and Sethe and Beloved.  In the section that is between Sethe and Beloved, Beloved adopts an accusatory tone when she states, “You hurt me… You left me” (217).  In this section, we do not see love for Sethe, but anger, betrayal, and hurt.  Even in the section between Denver and Beloved, Beloved keeps saying, “She hurt me” (referring to Sethe) (216). I believe these emotions are further illustrated through Beloved’s actions of driving Paul D out of the house.  While he is not Halle, Paul D does make Sethe happy and Beloved ruins that for her own selfish gains.  I do not think that this displays love.

However, throughout the novel, and even in some of the same sections as discussed above, we see Beloved’s great love for Sethe.  For instance, in the section between Beloved and Denver, Denver warns Beloved not to get too attached to Sethe because Denver is scared of her.  Beloved shows no fear and says “I am loving her too much” (216).  We see this love through Beloved’s interactions with Sethe as well.  When Beloved first arrives at 124, they find that the only things that keep her happy are sugary treats and Sethe.  Beloved is not happy unless Sethe is around and she hears her voice.  Paul D even notices the, “petlike adoration that took hold of her as she looked at Sethe” (64).  As the novel progresses, the petlike adoration changes to a possessive nature.  For example, the chapter from Beloved’s perspective begins with the phrase, “I am Beloved and she is mine” (214).  I do not think this is stated in a menacing way, but with love in the sense that after all this time, Beloved can finally be with Sethe again.

As I approach the end of the novel, Beloved’s intentions when it comes to Sethe just become more unclear.  Earlier in the novel the actions of Beloved seem to flip back and forth between revenge and love from scene to scene.  When we reach the chapter from Beloved’s perspective, however, this switch happens multiple times within one interaction.  It is clear that Beloved cares deeply about Sethe, and even loves her, but I also think that it is clear there is some level of resentment left over from the way that Beloved died.