Beloved by Toni Morrison, Parts Two and Three

Continuing through the novel, the women finally admit that they realize the girl present in their house is Beloved. Morrison goes through each women, Sethe, Denver, and Beloved giving them each a chapter to explain their thoughts and feelings about Beloved’s return. Though Sethe and Denver are happy, Beloved turns into a controlling person who tries to smother Sethe with guilt. Beloved seems to remain healthy and even pregnant while Sethe and Denver go hungry. Denver begins to feel ignored but realizes that she must become the caretaker and ventures out to find a job. The community then begins to help out the family by leaving food and Judy even helps Denver find a job. However, the community also realizes the dangers of Beloved. Behind the scenes of what is happening in 124, Morrison gives the audience a glance of how the men are doing, specifically Paul D. Through Paul D, the audience finally realizes what happened during the escape from Sweet Home and why Paul D has become the man he is. Trying to fix the problem of Beloved, the women conjugate in front of 124 and sing. This causes the women of 124 to come out and Sethe seem to start having a breakthrough. However when a white man appears to take Denver to her job, Sethe goes crazy and tries to kill him with a pick. It is during this time that the evil Beloved disappears, escaping from the community. The aftermath of Beloved and the happenings of 124 are forgetting Beloved and moving on. Though Denver moves on, finding a home, a job, and happiness she is still worried about her mother. The worries are also occurring for Paul D because he realizes how much Sethe means to him and how much he does love her. He goes to visit her and realizes she is trying to die, taking her place on Baby Sugg’s bed. However, he tells her that she is the best and promises to be there for her. The novel ends with the description of the community, Paul D, Denver, and Sethe forgetting Beloved.

                Looking at the novel and its stylistic attributes, Morrison creates a strong novel that portrays African American women in this time: haunted by their past, degraded by themselves and others, and putting their children above all else. I have previously discussed the aspects of flashbacks, figurative language, and symbolism. In parts two and three the elements that stand out to me are the structure, repetition, and shift in tone. In the second and third part of the novel the structure changes with each character, especially Beloved. With the chapter of Beloved, punctuation is absent and the structure seems to take that similar to a poem. This stylistic choice seems to show that Beloved has changed. Beloved instead of being the sweet girl trying to connect to Sethe turns into an inhuman figure because of the lack of punctuation (the poem-like structure adds a dramatic effect). Looking back at my last entry and seeing the symbolism Beloved holds, it’s interesting to see how the figure that is representing the past is suddenly becoming inhuman and in a way irrelevant. It shows that the characters are moving on. This sense of moving on and having the past haunt someone, degrade them, and shape them is also illustrated when the townspeople forget Beloved. Even those who were close to her, Paul D, Sethe, and Denver eventually forget her. It shows that they have grown. Continuing the analysis and looking at repetition, repetition plays a main role because it combines to create the shift seen in the tone. Morrison chooses to repeat certain elements such as the structure and language in order to create the dark feelings and controlling aspects that Beloved has created. The tone in part one is reflective but in parts two and three the tone shifts to cynical and gloomy. By having the tone shift, it emphasizes the realizations, the moving-on, and at times the downfalls of those in the novel. All these elements and much more help Morrison to create her style that embodies what she is trying to say about African American women. She is able to reveal the degrading personalities that these women have obtained due to themselves, others, and their pasts. She also illustrates how this past haunts them. They must learn from it but also forget in order to move on and find happiness as those in the community forgot Beloved.

Beloved by Toni Morrison Part One, Summary and Style Analysis

The novel is set up mostly in 124 Bluestone Road, the house of Sethe and her daughter Denver, which is haunted by Sethe’s baby. Throughout part one of the novel, it discusses the relations between Sethe, Denver, the baby, Paul D (a former slave from Sweet Home who moves in and has relations with Sethe), Halle (Sethe’s lost husband), and Beloved (mysterious girl who seems to know a lot about Sethe’s past who is taken in at 124). Sethe begins to face her past, taking steps forward with Paul D as she learns of what happened with Halle. Paul D also begins to grow as he seems to open up and break away from his philosophies. The baby’s ghost continues to fade and grow in the house. Denver becomes more and more attached to Beloved and Beloved seems to stir up trouble as she becomes strange, almost choking Sethe and seducing Paul D. As the plot continues, the past continues to be revealed in order for Sethe to move forward. The novel also introduces characters such as Ella who was abused and raped in her past. She wants to rid 124 of Beloved. It also introduces Baby Suggs, Halle’s mother, who escapes from Sweet Home because Halle has bought her freedom. Within introducing the new characters, the past is depicted. It shows flashbacks and explains the marriage of Sethe and Halle, the escape of Baby Suggs, the abuse of Sethe while she waited for Halle who was watching above, Sethe’s escape, and Sethe’s attempt of murder and her arrest. Sethe faces her past which makes and breaks relationships. Beloved becomes more and more attached to Sethe while Denver continues to fight for Beloved’s attention. Paul D also wants to move forward and have a baby with Sethe until he learns that she tried to kill her children, which is why the baby haunts the house, in order to stop them from being captured and turning into slaves. This causes Paul D to leave 124.

                Throughout the first part of the novel, Toni Morrison’s style helps illustrate the point the novel makes about African American women. The novel is expressing the hardships the women face: the past that continues to haunt them and feeling worthless and trapped which breaks down the character of a person. Morrison’s style includes the use of figurative language, flashbacks, and symbolism. An example of the figurative language that stands out to me while reading because of its strong impact is when Sethe is remembering the story of how she escaped and comparing her baby to an antelope. The comparison allows the audience to see the struggle that Sethe faces when escaping. She is not simply escaping without any hardships. She is escaping while pregnant, with a baby that seems to have the restless power of an antelope, and trying not to be seen. The remembrance of the time Sethe escapes is also a flashback. The novel has multiple instances of flashbacks, discussing the death of the children, the abuse of the schoolteacher, life at Sweet Home, etcetera. By having flashbacks within the novel, Morrison is allowing the audience to see how much the past is having an impact on the characters. The past continues to come back and shape the characters in the novel. In combination, the largest part of the novel is the symbolism, specifically the symbolism of Beloved. Beloved seems to embrace many roles in the novel. For Denver she is a sense of security because Denver desires to be around Beloved and fights for her attention. To Sethe, Beloved seems to represent her past. Beloved asks questions about Sweet Home and seems to recall things that someone would not be able to unless earlier present. By embodying the past, Beloved is illustrating that the past has a large impact on the life of African Americans, especially women. Beloved also could questionably be a symbolism of her past considering that some of the characters imply that Beloved could be a reincarnation of a previously mentioned character.

Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich Entry 2

                The second half of the novel introduces new characters and goes in-depth of the recent state of all the characters. Beginning with Albertine, she has connections with Henry, Lyman, Gerry, and Lipsha that are revealed to expand the perspectives on the reservation. Albertine has relations with Henry (whose brother is Lyman), works for Gerry (whose son is Lipsha), and knows Lipsha through childhood. After revealing the connections to these four men, Erdrich chooses to show the perspectives of them as well as the perspective of June’s husband, Gordie. Gordie is a drunk and hallucinates that he has killed June when it is only a deer. The chapter involving Gordie reveals some unanswered questions about June’s state. However, in the concluding chapters the novel focuses on Lipsha. Lipsha is the grandson of Nector and Marie. Through Lipsha’s, Marie’s, and Lulu’s perspective it tells that Nector has lost his mind and is still in love with Lulu. The love between Nector and Lulu makes Lipsha try to create a Love Medicine, through blessed turkey hearts, to save the relations of his grandparents. Instead of healing, the Love Medicine ends up killing Nector. Nevertheless, the death of Nector caused by the Love Medicine creates a new found bound and understanding between Lulu and Marie.

                The last major event written is Lipsha finding out the truth about his parents. His true parents are June and Gerry. Once finding out this information, Lipsha runs away where on his journey he joins the army, meets up with King, meets Gerry (who has escaped from jail), and finds an understanding of what his parents are like despite the death of June. The novel ends with Lipsha reflecting that his mother had made a good choice. Lipsha is happy that he is raised by Grandma Kashpaw. Through all these events and connections, Erdrich illustrates the turmoil of life and the blending of cultures.

                Connecting the novel to my research, Erdrich reveals underlying problems that are found in a reservation life. She reveals the distrust that occurs between Native Americans and the judicial system through the character Gerry. The judicial system is illustrated to not trust and believe Native Americans, especially as witnesses in court. The invalidity that Native Americans feel because of the mistrust and not having proper identification make the Native Americans, in return, not trust the judicial system. Other pieces of research that I found in the novel were the abuse and alcoholism seen on reservations. Gordie expresses both the abuse and alcoholism. He is abusive to his wife, June, which he reveals because of how he reminisces of her and how he hallucinates killing her. He also becomes an alcoholic after June’s death. The last piece of research that I would like to point out is sexual abuse. Henry and Albertine have relations but I question the validity of whether it is wanted or forced. I am unsure whether Albertine truly wants to have sex with Henry because of how she tenses, is scared, and thinks of running away. If it is unwanted, as I believe it is, I think this makes a big statement. It illustrates not only the factual information of how Native American women are sexually abused but makes the statement that the Native American women believe they are powerless and cannot fight back when the abuse occurs. Albertine simply caves in and lets the act continue. If this is unwanted, then it illustrates how women are meant to feel inferior and cave into the whims of men.

                Analyzing the novel itself, Erdrich expresses the emotions of love, jealousy, trust, etcetera of life. Through the main characters Nector, Marie, and Lulu these emotions are expressed most. The Love Medicine itself is shown to be unreliable especially since it is created improperly by Lipsha. However, the unreliability seems to express that nothing can change the heart, the emotions that come in life whether they are appalling or excellent. Erdrich also illustrates the blending of cultures and religion. She discusses the blending of Native Americans reservation life and the outside societies. She also discusses the blending of Native American and catholic religion. Erdrich blends elements together to express the problems that occur with rejection but also everyday life for Native Americans.

                After reading the novel, I have a new understanding of Native American culture because of the factual based information that is embedded in the novel. It gives an inside look to the reservation life and struggles of a Native American and Native American women.

Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich Entry 1

         The novel begins by introducing June Kashpaw. She is an Native American who dies on her time off the reservation. She is described as a woman who likes the company of men. Connecting to June, the author separates the chapters into different people who are somehow connected to June or the Kashpaw family in both past and present time. For example, the second chapter is from Albertine Johnson’s view, June’s niece, who discusses her view of her aunt, family, and life on the reservation compared to life off in present time. It goes in-depth of the relationships of all those around her including June’s sons. Transition to the Lazarre family, Erdrich introduces Marie Lazarre who is a victim of a crazy nun, Leopalda. However she escapes the convent and runs into Nector Kashpaw, connecting the two different social class families since Nector ends up marrying Marie and betraying his true love Lulu Nanapush. The views switch back and forth between Nector, Lulu, and Marie explaining the intertwining relationships of the Native American families from the drunks in the Lazarre family to the affair of Nector and Lulu and even the return of Marie to the convent. The relationships, feelings, causes, and effects are all explained throughout the novel.

            It was interesting to read about the affairs taking place on the reservation. I had never thought that Native Americans had relations outside marriage because to me they always seemed so strong in their morals. After doing some research on Native Americans I took notice that the characteristics and life are accurately portrayed. The novel accurately portrays a major problem that is seen on reservations, alcoholism, through the Lazarre family. It also illustrates the treatment of Native American women. Erdrich mentions event of abuse between King Jr. and Lynette in multiple instances which is usually evident on reservations.

In my research it showed that there is discrimination for Native American women off the reservation. However, in the novel this is proven both on and off the reservation. The discrimination is illustrated through the stories of abuse as well as the expectations of Native American women. Two expectations especially stand out to me. One is that Albertine’s mother is afraid she will become a career girl and forget about marriage. This illustrates how women seem to be expected to stay on the reservation and raise a family. The second expectation is written in the chapter narrated by Albertine where she states, “Indian woman’s nothing but an easy night” (9). This horrifies me because the discrimination makes society believe that Native American women are good for one thing. Connecting this to real life, it seems to be evident by the cases of abuse and sexual abuse of Native American women. In the novel, June illustrates this expectation and even seems to believe the expectation herself because of what society has always shown her. The relationships are interesting and give different viewpoints of the story but are sometimes overwhelming. However, I enjoy the different perspectives though sometimes gruesome, horrific, or immoral.

Research on Native American Women

                With the research I have done, in preparation for my reading of Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich, it seems as if the roles of women in Native American reservations have changed. Native American women were said to grow up strong and from childhood learn what responsibilities they would have. At a young age they would be given toys that would illustrate the roles and prepare them such as a doll. However, women were said to be able to take on any roles of the men when needed. They were even able to marry without force and divorce without trouble. Comparing this to the current events that I have read, it seems as if the equality for Native American women has changed. Native American women are reported to be abused both by those in the reservation and those outside of the reservation. It is said that Native American women have the highest rate of violence in any group in the United States. This is illustrated by women suffering from rape, sexual abuse, or physical abuse by their husbands or by men who are outsiders.  However the women do not report the acts of violence to law enforcement because of racism that had existed between law enforcement and Native American women. The women believe that law enforcement has turned their back on them so do not turn in reports of violence.

                In reaction to the research, I am shocked. I had never imagined that Native American women would be ranked in the highest rate of violence. With information I had learned at a younger age I had thought Native American women were among the strongest and most respected. Though I still see them as one of the strongest groups of women, it is hard to imagine that they have been abused by loved ones and even men who are passersby. I had not realized that Native American women were still receiving inequality from law enforcement and society after all these years past the time of civilization. It seems as if the reservations are a trap for Native American women. Instead of providing protection from society, they are trapped for disgusting passersby and abusive husbands.

References:

Sommer, Robin L. North American Indian Women. North Dighton, MA: JG, 1998. Print.

"Native American Women and Violence." National Organization for Women. National Organization for Women, 2011. Web. 04 Apr. 2013. <http://www.now.org/nnt/spring-2001/nativeamerican.html>.

Erdrich, Louise. "Rape on the Reservation." The New York Times. The New York Times, 27 Feb. 2013. Web. 04 Apr. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/opinion/native-americans-and-the-violence-against-women-act.html?_r=1>.

The Glass Castle Entry 2

                In the rest of the novel, Walls describes more hardships she and her family face. For example, they are banned from Erma’s because they fought her when she started to molest Brian. They then stay in Welch but in a run-down home. The family continues to go from being able to eat to near starvation. The hardships cause Maureen to practically live with her friends, Lori to leave, Jeannette to stop believing in Rex, and Brian to be full of anger. Though they continue to have difficult lives, eventually all the children make their way to live in New York and begin to make something of themselves. Their transition is interrupted when Rex and Rose Mary move to New York too. At first the kids try to help their parents but when they realize it is useless, and their parents then become homeless. Jeannette, Lori, and Brian all continue to grow and make something of themselves but Maureen moves in with the parents which causes her to go mad and stab Rose Mary. She leaves for California after being arrested and put in the hospital. Then Rex gets sick and dies. The return of the hardships makes the family disconnect. However, in the end they all (but Maureen) gather at Jeannette’s new home, a farmhouse, with her second Husband, John, where she is very happy. Brian is divorced but a decorated sergeant detective with a daughter and nice home. Lori is still living in her apartment in New York and Rose Mary is still content with being homeless.

                I love seeing that each child of Rex and Rose Mary make something of themselves. I enjoy seeing the empowerment Jeannette obtains through her new life and through finally telling her story after hiding it for so long. To think of how her parents were and seeing that she does not hold any anger towards them is unbelievable but also inspirational. Jeannette learns that her mother could’ve sold land for a million dollars and sees how her father is capable of changing, yet she holds no anger towards them for not improving her childhood. Jeannette is an inspiration.

                As for the others, I enjoyed seeing their lives improve as well. However, I never thought I would feel bad for her parents until her father begs Jeannette to stay in Welch. It was heartbreaking to read which made me realize that deep down her parents do care sometimes. But I can still not fathom that they did and said those things during Jeannette’s childhood. I still cannot believe Rose Mary has a way to not be homeless but refuses to improve her life.

                From a feminist’s point of view, the book illustrates women empowerment. Jeannette lives a harsh life as a child facing the hardships of her parents and society. It seems as if she is planted in this low class role but she breaks away from expectations and makes something of herself. Jeannette becomes a content working woman but also creates a happy family. Jeannette Walls proves that women, or even anybody, can break away and empower themselves with their own story.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

The Glass Castle opens up with Jeannette Walls seeing her mother dumpster diving. It also gives a meeting with her mother that illustrates how Jeannette feels towards her parents and how they feel about themselves. Continuing through the story, Walls recounts her childhood. She begins with the time she is three years old and burns herself while trying to cook and the halfway point ends with her hating her grandmother, Erma. Within the long flashback, Walls illustrates the hardships she faces in childhood. Walls tells of the daughter her parents had lost the child they have born. She discusses over 11 places that she has lived and how each ended with her parents running from someone or something. Jeannette Walls describes the people she meets throughout her childhood and the mishaps that occur, such as falling out of the car and her parents not returning for a good amount of time. In addition, Jeannette and her brother defend themselves against the group of Mexican girls as well as the boy, Billy, who claims he raped Jeannette. Jeannette even has to face a group of bulling girls in Welch. Walls also reveals the character of her family members. Her parents have no rules and no cares. Her mother’s priority is her art and her father’s is his booze. As for Wall’s siblings, Lori is fond of their mother, Brian hates their father, and Maureen is treated special. Nevertheless, her parents seem to have some hope since her mother gives good lessons at times and her father quits drinking (for a short period of time) for Jeannette’s birthday present.

                I am enjoying the book tremendously. I love the detailed memories Walls portrays and the story she tells as a whole. I find the attitude of her parents unbelievable and conflicting. It is unbelievable because they seem to barely care for scary events such as perverts sneaking into their house for the children or the hunger their children face. However, my attitude towards them is also conflicting because they seem to have moments where they shine. For example, Rex saves the children in multiple instances and quits drinking for his children. Nonetheless, my attitude towards her parents is more that it is unbelievable because Rex begins to drink again and her mother never seems to care. Though the book is upsetting, due to the opening chapter I believe it will be an empowering book. It seems like it will illustrate a feminist because Jeannette, despite society and her family, creates a life for herself and finds the rights and privileges she deserves. It is interesting to see how Jeannette is an opposite of her mother because her mother allows Rex to control and abuse her. While in opposing character, Jeannette stands up for herself and creates a better life. I find the book and Jeannette’s story riveting. The part that I believe that truly illustrated to me that the book is impactful is on Christmas night when she writes, “…we all had out own ways of shutting down and closing off, and that was what we did that night” (115).

                                                                                                                                                Entry 1 of 2
                                                                                                                                  A Girl and Her Heels