Sethe is an Existentialist
In Beloved, we are slowly
exposed to Sethe’s dark past of her time as a slave, and her desperate attempt
to save her family from experiencing the same fate. As a result of her actions,
she experiences isolation among the townspeople and becomes haunted by her disturbing
actions. However, all of these actions and consequences instigate questions
about life and purpose which directly correlate with existentialism.
After
Toni Morrison reveals Sethe’s ethically questionable actions of killing her
baby and attempting to kill her other three children to “save them” from becoming
slaves. This horrific scene is ultimately a result of the slavery laws of the
time: forcing runaway slaves to be returned to their slave owners. However, Toni
Morrison indirectly forces the reader to question what the value of life is. Would
returning to slavery, this harsh time where brutal acts were imposed on slaves,
be worth more than one’s life? Sethe obviously affirmed this question but do
others agree? Would an infant’s life be worth taking over the possibility of
slavery? Furthermore, applying this to a broad perspective, at what point is it
ok to take the life of another? All of these philosophical questions that
directly align with the existentialist philosophy appear in Beloved and Toni
Morrison forces the reader to process these impossible to answer questions.
As a
result of Sethe’s actions, she is haunted by the baby ghost in her house and
then Beloved, the baby ghost in the physical form. A core aspect of existentialism is taking
responsibility for one’s actions. Sethe’s dead daughter who haunts her both psychologically
and physically can be interpreted as this act of retribution for Sethe. In Beloved,
Sethe has a similar justification and allows the ghost to abuse her in hopes
that her actions will be forgiven. Although Sethe and Toni Morrison never state
it, Sethe’s views align with that of an existentialist.
The last
clear example of existentialism in Sethe’s character is when she ponders the
meaning of her life. After Sethe becomes an outcast in the town, she begins to
ponder her purpose in life. This ponderance shifts from taking care of Denver,
making a new family with Paul D., taking care of Denver and Beloved, or taking
retribution for her actions. This ever-shifting purpose highlights the
connections between Sethe’s character and existentialism.
Despite
this evidence within the novel, I personally do not know if Toni Morrison had
these philosophical views in mind when writing Beloved or Sethe’s
character. Therefore, I now open this topic for discussion and am curious to
hear your opinions on this topic.
This is a fascinating topic to raise, and I look forward to seeing some comments from the class on these questions. I definitely see a dynamic in the novel wherein being technically a living and breathing human under slavery is not really being "alive," even if there are some cruel approximations of "normal life" in the marriages and "family" that Garner allows. Think of Baby Suggs suddenly realizing "These are my hands." Or of her sermons imploring the recently freed slaves to "love themselves because no one out there is going to love you." Or of the ecstasy Sethe experiences when she's reunited with her children, while even as she is deeply concerned about Halle, she realizes immediately that "family life" on this side of the Ohio River is entirely different than family life on the plantation. In all of these cases, being enslaved is antithetical to really being alive--so Sethe, in the existentialist sense, makes a CONSCIOUS choice (more or less) not to go back to that not-living at Sweet Home. Her act of violence against her children (and intended against herself) can be seen paradoxically as an embrace and affirmation of life, in contrast to the death offered by schoolteacher and his ilk.
ReplyDeleteBut also the escape itself, and the emotions it entails, would be an inherent act of existentialist choice, taking and asserting full control over one's life and will, in direct defiance of those who would define and constrain that life.
I didn't think I would hear existentialism in this novel, considering the vast difference in content from The Stranger. Though after hearing your thoughts, I beg to differ. This is inherently history based and many of us readers question through the lens of Sethe as to the extreme decisions and actions people back in the day have to take. The example with Beloved and the question between living in suffering or dying without agony is a great point take on existentialism.
ReplyDeleteI somewhat agree, I think it is good to point out that Morrison does raise the question of what life is worth I would not consider this Sethe's existentialism. Rather I believe that Morrison uses existentialism to make the reader realize the true cruelty of slavery. Sethe herself does not question the meaning of life or its worth but rather just does what she has to do. Morrison is the existentialist in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteExistentialism has a lot to do with the meaning of life. But notably, it's also very much about how exactly one should live life. I think Sethe's behavior isn't so much existentialist as it is fueled by her fear and trauma. Her actions are heavily shaped by her past, and rather than really thinking about the consequences of her action of infanticide, she makes an impulsive decision to quickly put her kids where they are "safe."
ReplyDeletenice post!
DeletePersonally, I disagree with the notion that Sethe is an existentialist since I feel that implies that she did what she did because of existentialist beliefs. I think, instead, her actions were the result of institutions and laws put into place that resulted in a never ending trauma. She wanted to save her kids by killing them, so that they would not have to endure the pain of being a slave.
ReplyDelete