deedee answers â€œSPOILER!! I read it in my feminist...â€� â€� Beloved Q&A

D G asked this question about Beloved:

SPOILER!! I read it in my feminist literature class this semester, and I really liked it, surprisingly. But what did you all think of the fact that Sethe's act of infanticide is described from the perspective of Schooteacher, a white man?

deedee megadoodoo I read this book in my AP Lit class (it's awesome that you have a feminist literature class) and while we didn't go over this part specifically, I thiâ€¦m´Ç°ù±ðI read this book in my AP Lit class (it's awesome that you have a feminist literature class) and while we didn't go over this part specifically, I think that that was just a way to dehumanize Sethe. In Sethe's one track mind, the only thing that she knows is that she's saving her kids, however on the outside though--all everyone sees (whether they're black or white) is this mother, this mother made of iron, killing.

Him being white brings out the disgust in Sethe's actions and as readers we discern between Sethe's side of good intentions and then everyone elses side of disgust and amazement in how a person, OVERALL a mother!, could do this at all. Because he is white and he represents the side that doesn't really understand Sethe's internal thoughts and drive. that dehumanizes Sethe until she's "degraded" into just a crazy black lady.

(less)

flag

About Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions