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Manhood In Toni Morrison's Beloved

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Paul D proves himself to be a man when he accepts Sethe and her daughter, Denver, despite that the rest of the community does not even want to go near them as if they are the untouchables. He states, "Sethe, if I'm here with you, with Denver, you can go anywhere you want. Jump if you want to, 'cause I'll catch you, girl...“We can make a new life girl. (46).” Furthermore, “Paul D made a few acquaintances, spoke to them about what work he might find (49).” Being a man is upholding the responsibilities of being a caring father and husband. Manhood means being able to be at the service of another rather than one’s self. Additionally, Manhood is making attempts to open up and admit your mistakes. Paul D tries to be honest with Sethe about forcibly having sex with Beloved, which was against his will but he didn’t have the strength to prevent her. It clearly demonstrates he is a real man as he wants to remain faithful to one woman. …show more content…

For example, “the danger was in losing Sethe because he wasn't man enough to break out, so he needed her, Sethe, to help him, to know about it and it shamed him to have to ask the woman he wanted to protect to help him do it, God damn it to hell (127).” However, “when he saw the diminished expectations in her eyes, the mechanology without blame, he could not say it (129).” It is hard for him to disclose this matter because he fears of hurting Sethe and possibly shattering their relationship to

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