Blog Post #4 Beloved Essay Draft #1

Gokul Muru

English IVA

Ms. Wilson

29 August 2014

Analysis:

This paragraph that I have picked is a clear representation of the theme of overcoming darkness. As a whole, this paragraph effectively shows the consequences of an action that was done near the mid-point of the story. This action has been reiterated throughout key points within the novel, however what the action was and how it affected others did not appear until the very end of the book. This one action puts together the different conflicts within the narrative. Many characters and their resolution to their needs are settled with this paragraph. This paragraph from the novel Beloved by Tori Morrison, carries itself with the uses of mild diction, powerful imagery, and various uses of syntax in order to convey the theme of overcoming darkness.

Firstly, the diction plays a central role in the usefulness of this last paragraph. “Occasionally, however the rustle of a skirt hushes when they wake, and the knuckles brushing a cheek in sleep seem to belong to a sleeper,” (Morrison 324). This one such line exemplifies how diction has proved to be very vital to the paragraph. Words such as “hushes” and “brushing” allow for the reader to get a sense of the presence of darkness. Obviously, it does not state that the darkness is involved with potential harmful behavior at this point of the story, however it keeps an eye on the characters. The paragraph references sleep through the use of words such as “sleeper” help to carry the tone that the darkness is a sort of a nightmare and carries no reality within the story as of now. The darkness is only present within small traces without completely being eliminated; this idea is effectively conveyed by the author through the use of her words.  Diction such as these help indicate to the reader that the climax point has been reached.  

Secondly, imagery plays a key role in describing the darkness that once haunted the two main characters of the novel, Sethe and Denver.  “It took longer for those who had spoken to her, lived with her, fallen in love with her, to forget until they realized they couldn’t remember or respect a single thing she said, and began to believe that,” (Morrison 323-324)