Top 100 Literature Essay Topics - 2023

The use of motif in “Beloved” by Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison's "Beloved" is a novel that explores the themes of slavery, memory, trauma, and the search for identity. The novel tells the story of Sethe, a former slave who escaped from a plantation in Kentucky and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her daughter Denver. However, their peaceful life is disrupted by the arrival of Beloved, a mysterious young woman who appears to be the reincarnation of Sethe's dead daughter.

One of the most prominent literary devices used by Morrison in "Beloved" is the motif. A motif is a recurring symbol or image that carries significant meaning throughout the work. Morrison uses several motifs in "Beloved" to enhance the themes of the novel and to create a rich and layered narrative.

The first motif that Morrison uses in "Beloved" is the image of water. Water represents both life and death in the novel. For example, Sethe's escape from slavery involved crossing a river, which is a dangerous and life-threatening task. Water is also associated with rebirth and renewal, as seen in the scene where Sethe gives birth to Denver in a river. However, water can also be destructive and overwhelming, as seen in the flood that occurs after Sethe's house is vandalized.

Another important motif in "Beloved" is the idea of the supernatural. The novel is full of ghosts, hauntings, and visions, which add to the sense of mystery and tension. Beloved herself is a supernatural character, as she appears to be both alive and dead at the same time. Morrison uses the supernatural motif to explore the psychological impact of trauma and to suggest that the past is never truly gone.

A third motif that Morrison uses in "Beloved" is the color red. Red is associated with blood, violence, and passion. It is the color of the dress that Sethe wears when she kills her daughter, and it is the color of the marks on Paul D's back from his time in slavery. The color red also represents the emotional intensity of the characters' experiences, such as Sethe's overwhelming love for her children.

Morrison also uses the motif of flowers in "Beloved." Flowers are associated with life, beauty, and growth, but they can also represent decay and death. For example, the flowers that grow over Sethe's daughter's grave are a reminder of the tragic loss that Sethe has experienced. Flowers are also used to represent the cyclical nature of life and death, as seen in the repeated image of Sethe's milk, which is compared to a nourishing flower.

In conclusion, Morrison's use of motifs in "Beloved" enhances the themes of the novel and adds depth and complexity to the narrative. The motifs of water, the supernatural, the color red, and flowers create a rich symbolic language that invites readers to explore the deeper meanings of the text. Through the use of motifs, Morrison creates a work of art that is both poetic and political, and that speaks to the complexities of the human experience.