Parallels Between Sethe And Beloved In Toni Morrison's

Although Morrison’s circular narrative demonstrates the parallels between Sethe and Beloved, this structure also emphasizes the inherent differences between the two. As Beloved arrives at 124, the narrator notes that “women who drink champagne when there is nothing to celebrate can look like that... They nod in public places; their shoes are undone... [Beloved] had new skin, lineless and smooth, including the knuckles of her hands” (60-61). Morrison’s use of the word “new” implies that Beloved’s skin is like that of an infant and free of any flaws. Additionally, by comparing Beloved to “women who drink champagne,” Morrison implies that Beloved seems like a member of the upper class. The phrase “they nod in public places” helps to reinforce

Morrison also notes that Beloved’s shoes “are undone,” yet the fact that Beloved has shoes proves that she has not experienced as much pain during her journey as Sethe has. After Sethe arrives at 124, it takes her awhile until she becomes fully healed again. The narrator notes that Baby Suggs begins to clean Sethe soon after she arrives, Baby Suggs “cleaned between Sethe’s legs with two separate pans of hot water and then tied her stomach and vagina with sheets. Finally she attacked the feet... Roses of blood blossomed in the blanket covering Sethe’s shoulders. Baby Suggs hid her mouth with her hand (109). Morrison emphasizes how grueling Sethe’s escape from slavery is as she describes the “two separate pans” needed just to clean Sethe’s legs. The use of the word “attacked” as Baby begins to wash Sethe’s feet reinforces the deep-rooted injuries Sethe experiences as a result of slavery and her journey to freedom. Morrison also romanticizes Sethe’s wounds by comparing them to “roses,” but this description is immediately followed by the word “blood,” which helps to accurately portray Sethe’s