While I was reading Beloved, the thing that struck me the most was the reaction of the
townspeople towards Sethe’s plight. I found this the most interesting near the
end of the book, when we hear Ella’s story of her neglect of her own child. I
think this is really startling, because it means that the reason that the
townspeople were so uncaring towards Sethe was not because she killed her own
children, but because of other, pettier reasons.
As a
reader, the center of the plot is when we discover that Sethe murdered her own
children so that they would not have to enter a life of slavery – her character
was set up as a strong and well-meaning woman much before we learn of her
infanticide. Because this fact is set up so late into the book, her character
has already been well developed, so we are meant to see this from her point of
view, instead of just dismissing her as a murderer. In fact, up until the
shocking discovery, Sethe had been portrayed as quite the good character. This
is why I find it so shocking that what may be the turning point for the reader
in terms of their perception of Sethe as good or bad is not the same as that
for the townspeople. In fact, when we learn that the infanticide is not the
only reason for the shunning of Sethe, and that the townspeople actually
understand why she did it and can, in a way, relate to her, the plot thickens.
I
honestly really disliked the way that this was set up. From what the reader is
shown, the main reason that the townspeople hate Sethe is… jealousy? The
turning point for the people seems to be Baby Suggs’ celebration, because it
was too cocky and full of undeserved pride and happiness. It seems like the
townspeople, after also going through many of the things that Sethe went
through, are unwilling (for the majority of the novel) to put away their petty
feelings towards the woman and help her out. However, it's also weird, because there's not much to be jealous of as the plot goes on. As Sethe becomes more isolated and her house becomes haunted, and then when Beloved shows up, there seems to be no reason that the people wouldn't help her.
I was
wondering what you guys think! Do you guys think that the reason that the
people leave Sethe to herself and her family for all those years was jealousy?
Was in fact because of the infanticide? Or was because of something else? Either
way, it’s quite an upsetting story in my eyes, with the people just sitting by
as Sethe was plunged deeper and deeper into a dangerous situation.
