Beloved
Chapters 4-9
Discussion
Characters
Chronology
History – taboo
subjects and
rememory
Writing Style
Images & Symbols
Tone & Mood
Themes
Bridge Chapter (Chapter 4)
Carnival.
Paul D
initiates another
change for Sethe and
Denver
“…the shadows of
three people still held
hands…” (Chapter 4)
High point of
happiness
Denotes a change
Contrast between
public vs. private
selves (the closed
past with secrets and
painful, haunting
memories)
Physically going to
the carnival provided
opportunities for each
character to be open.
Important Images
Boxwood (3)
Baby Sugg’s pondering color before
her death (1)
Brother (2) – personification of a tree
White dress (3) – symbol of
innocence and purity
Hand-holding shadows (4)
Beloved’s Arrival
• Characteristics of a baby – needy, dependent,
•
•
•
unsophisticated
But really 19-20 years old (5)
Sethe’s water breaking (5) – note Morrison’s
symbolic use of water
NOTE Morrison’s insistence on our wrestling
with the past and a loss of dignity
Chapter 5: A Thirst for
Knowledge
• Why does Beloved seem so familiar to
Sethe? (5)
• What is significant about Paul D always
asking questions?
• Mood and Tone: a sense of heaviness in
the air
• Why does Morrison want Denver to
mature in this chapter?
Chapter 6: Effects of Beloved’s
questions on Sethe

1st question – “Where your diamonds?” Story of
wedding dress (6)

2nd question – “Your woman she never fix up your
hair?” Story of Ma’am’s “mark” (6). First we hear of
Sethe’s mother

Additional memory – Nan and the slave ship (6). The
haunting nature of repressed anger.

Lesson: “Whatever you run away from, you eventually
run into it.” Deal with your problems before they
become even bigger.
Process of Memory being released
Central conflict at the
beginning of Chapter
7.
Paul D’s story of Halle
and the churn, the bit
and “Mister,” the
rooster (7). “Mister
was allowed to be and
stay…” (7)
What is a bit? Why
are they used with
animals?
Chapter 8: Learning the Dance of Life
Important image of
death and being
buried (8)
Repetition as a
means of establishing
MEMORY. Mention of
water and diamonds
again
Like the chokecherry
tree on Sethe’s back
(8)…constant
reminders of loss and
isolation and
loneliness. Carrying
the burden on her
back.
Social commentary –
cp. The Declaration of
Independence
The Maturation of Denver
“Denver was seeing it now and feeling
it – through Beloved” (8).
“Mama’s Song” (8). Look at the
lyrics. Analyze its message.
Flashback to Amy with Sethe on the
Ohio river (8). Why now? What is
Sethe remembering and why? What
is being born?
Chapter 9: Another
Change
 “IT WAS TIME to lay
it all down” (9).
 Nine years since
Baby Sugg’s death
 Significance of Baby
Sugg’s preaching (9)
 Message about
LOVE (88)
Counter-message to white
slave-owners
 To the Clearing (9)
 Sethe, Denver and Beloved leave 124 on
a mission
 Morrison repeatedly mentions the color
green. What does green symbolize?
 Another flashback to Amy (9)
 Assumed knowledge of the Underground
Railroad. Introduction to Stamp Paid.
Image of Crossing the
Ohio River: Freedom?
 Stamp Paid – helps
Sethe and Denver
cross the Ohio river
(9)
 Flashback leads
back to Baby Suggs
(9)
 Back to the Clearing
(9)
Biblical Allusion & The
Clearing
 Moses and the Israelites – the Book of
Exodus
 “With Baby Sugg’s heart in charge, the people
let go” (9).
 Sethe recognizes the importance of
remembering the past and is thankful for Paul
D (9)
 “The Clearing” – multiple meanings
 Fugitives and Abolitionists