Mrs. Bell’s analysis of your Beloved open essay question
Prompt: Frequently in literature, a novel or play focuses around a pair of “counterparts,” characters who seem inseparably bound by
situation or by fate. This mutual involvement, which may range from the acute interdependence of soul-mates to the polar hostility of
rivals, is often used to further the work’s larger literary purpose. From the novels and plays you have read, choose a work that features
such a pair of “counterparts.” Using your knowledge of the work, clarify the nature of the characters’ relationships and indicate in
what way their intimate involvement makes an important contribution to the work as a whole.
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I suggest you begin with the open essay because, statistically, the open essay is graded easier than the
others and thus receives a higher score. Plus, it is the only one you can really prep for.
Vocabulary… Seminal novel, critically acclaimed novel, novel of magical realism, title or titular character
(referring to Beloved)emasculate, femme fatale … lets write on the board vocabulary (and definitions you
would like to use on your essays during the exam…
Only focus on two characters – no need to mention other characters unless it directly relates to the points
you are making.
o Give some description of the character as you first introduce them: Beloved, the daughter Sethe
killed; Sethe, the escaped slave; Denver, Sethe’s second and only living daughter…
Go ahead and assume your reader knows nothing about the story, so you will need some summary, but
keep it a succinct as possible and only include what is needed for your argument.
o One of the most important things you need to learn for the open essay is the balance between
analysis and concrete details from the book to support the analysis.
You can talk about the situation (or more appropriately fate) that brings the characters together. Organize
chronologically for this one (otherwise, it will be very confusing for your reader.)
o Introduction: Can include a bit of necessary background/summary here, thesis, tie to larger
meaning (be specific about what that meaning is)
 Make sure your thesis has three points so you remain organized in your essay
o Body Par 1: How the characters were fatefully (or by situation) brought together and analysis on
the burgeoning relationship (keep in mind that the relationships will be complex which means
…what…?)
o Body Par 2/3: Events/situations/dialogue that reveals the changes in the growing relationship,
how both counterpart respond, climax of relationship, what the relationship is like at the end of
the book (show growth or decline).
 Manhood of Paul D. in questions just as the motherhood of Sethe is.
 Paul D. betrays Sethe by sleeping with Beloved, but Sethe is not honest in regard to telling
Paul D. she killed Beloved – Beloved causes them to confront their past and inner
emotions/hidden secrets.
 Beloved has a parasitic (succubus/vampire) relationship with everyone she comes in
contact with, but ironically she allows them to access the past and move forward.
o Conclusion: Quick summary of points, what are the effects of the dynamics of the relationship to
the meaning of the work as a whole.
Don’t have one paragraph about one character and the next paragraph about the other character – you
are focusing on the relationship, which calls for interaction.
Only use quotes if they are short (you’ll have to memorize them) and effective.
You don’t have to write on the books they have listed under the open essay prompt – but look at them.
What do you do when you run out of things to say but still have time to write?
o Lengthen with * and add more details about the story – add two to four more examples to
support each point. Ask yourself “why” and try to delve deeper into analysis at the end of each
paragraph. Add summary into introduction. Address more than one meaning of the work as a
whole.
How do Sethe and Beloved develop a
relationship (fate or situation) – list events
important to include:
What is the nature of Sethe and Beloved’s
relationship? List events/situations/dialogue
that give evidence.
What is the effect of this relationship on
the work as a whole? (Don’t let this be
the whole essay)
How do Sethe and Paul D. develop a
relationship (fate or situation) – list events
important to include:
What is the nature of Sethe and Paul D.’s
relationship? List events/situations/dialogue
that give evidence.
What is the effect of this relationship on
the work as a whole? (Don’t let this be
the whole essay)
How do Denver and Beloved develop a
relationship (fate or situation) – list events
important to include:
What is the nature of Denver and Beloved’s
relationship? List events/situations/dialogue
that give evidence.
What is the effect of this relationship on
the work as a whole? (Don’t let this be
the whole essay)
How do Baby Suggs and the Community
develop a relationship (fate or situation) –
list events important to include:
What is the nature of Baby Suggs and the
community’s relationship? List
events/situations/dialogue that give evidence.
What is the effect of this relationship on
the work as a whole? (Don’t let this be
the whole essay)