Beloved and My Big Question

The relationships in this novel are probably some of the most complex I've ever seen. To begin with, the relationships between Sethe and her children are very complicated. The relationship between Denver and Sethe is interesting because Denver is only trying to help Sethe and in Sethe's mind she is trouble because the white men will come and try to enslave her so she attempts to kill Denver and her other three children. Regarding the murder of her little daughter, the relationship is definitely harmful. Because Sethe wanted to protect her children so bad she had to revert to killing them and that was obviously not good for Sethe's mental and physical health. When the baby returns as a ghost haunting 124 it is even worse because it is a constant reminder of Sethe's past. The healthy relationship between Sethe and Baby Suggs is very important because Baby Suggs was a great role model for Sethe and Denver. With her passing, it was hard for the family to get along. The appearance of Paul D is helpful to Sethe's life. The ghost goes away and then they all seem happy as a family until he finds out about Sethe's past. Paul D protected Sethe and made her feel loved again, but then turned into a harmful relationship when they fought about the past. In the end of the novel though Paul D returns and becomes the steady figure in Sethe's life that she needs. He tells her "You your best thing, Sethe. You are." He is there for encouragement and is always willing to be there for her when she needs his help. The relationship between the adult Beloved and Sethe is very harmful, but physically and mentally. Towards the end of the book Beloved has a certain power over Sethe and Sethe starts to give everything she has to Beloved. She begins to get physically ill because she is giving all her food to Beloved and thinks of no one but Beloved. She is trying to give every ounce of love she has to Beloved to make up for her past, even if it means sacrificing herself. With Beloved seeking revenge and glady recieving all these things from Sethe it is obvious that it is a hurtful relationship. To me, Paul D is really the person who holds together everything in the end, and I believe that he, Sethe and Denver will go on to live a much happier and more fulfilling life.