Beloved and Numerology

A detailed Summary of Beloved and Numerology

In literature, numbers are used to communicate important messages to the reader. The author uses references to numbers to strengthen the important ideas of the novel. In many cultures numbers carry an important or significant meaning to them. These numbers can carry a meaning more efficiently than using only words. In Beloved, Toni Morrison uses references to numbers to emphasize the significant ideas of the novel. Morrison uses these numbers to represent the persistence of slavery brought upon in Sethe's life, her children's life, Paul D.'s life, and Baby Suggs life, after slavery has ended. These references to numbers are important because they show how these characters are affected after it has ended. Through physical means, through the actions of these characters, and through psychological means of these characters, Morrison shows the haunting continuation and aftereffects of slavery.

In many novels the first sentence is the most important sentence in the novel. The first sentence can set the way for the remainder of the novel. In Beloved the first sentence, and first word of the entire novel uses numbers. Because numbers are used first, before any words, I find that the references to numbers are very important. 12

Morrison, Toni. Beloved. New York: Plume, 1988

The trinity of Beloved, Sethe and Denver there is another form of continuation of slavery through psychological means. It is a replay of ownership of the slave by the master. Beloved acts and speaks as if she owns Sethe. Beloved says at one point to Sethe, "You are mine, You are mine, You are mine" (Morrison 216). Again the emphasis on repeated three times shows the use of threes that Morrison uses. This shows how Sethe is still treated like a slave and therefore acts like a slave to Beloved. For a little while Beloved had this control over Denver, but she finally realized that what Beloved does is not right, so she goes for help. Beloved never allows Sethe to be free or never gives her anytime to realize she is being controlled. Psychologically Sethe does not realize that she is free because first the ghost of Beloved caused enslavement in 124 and now the flesh and bone of Beloved causes psychological enslavement.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1886
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

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