Beloved is a novel with many interesting themes which are worth examining.
The following paper deals with the significance of numbers in Toni Morrison's Beloved. Numbers play an important role in this novel. The novel was first published in 1987 and is a neo-slave narrative (cf. Palladino 54) written in free indirect discourse. It is about Sethe, a former slave, and her family. Sethe will not deal with her past and the trauma she has suffered during her time in Kentucky on the plantation “Sweet Home”. She is hunted by the ghost of her baby that she has killed because she did not want her to become a slave. The ghost will only disappear after she has dealt with it and with her past.
Numbers play an important role in Beloved. Morrison did not choose them by chance, they all have a meaning in the story of the novel. I want to show the significance they have – by some numbers with reference to the Bible. First, there is an analysis of the overall structure and the numbers of the book, of the three parts and the chapters including the first sentence of all three parts (cf. chapter 2.1). Then the numbers which occur in the novel are examined (cf. chapter 2.2-2.9), after this analysis, there will be an examination of the dedication – which is also a number (cf. chapter 3). The end of the paper is composed of the conclusion in chapter
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. General thoughts about the significance of numbers in Beloved
- 2.1 The three parts of Beloved and their quantity of chapters
- 2.2 Number three
- 2.3 Number eighteen
- 3. Dedication
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this paper is to analyze the significance of numbers in Toni Morrison's novel, Beloved. The paper examines how specific numbers, and their relationships, contribute to the novel's narrative and thematic development. It explores the numerical structure of the novel itself, relating the number of parts and chapters to the story's progression. The analysis also delves into the symbolic meaning of individual numbers, drawing parallels with biblical interpretations where applicable.
- The significance of numbers in structuring the narrative of Beloved.
- The symbolic meaning of recurring numbers (e.g., three, eighteen).
- Biblical allusions and their connection to numerical symbolism in the novel.
- The relationship between numbers and the characters' experiences of trauma and healing.
- The role of numbers in representing the themes of family, community, and the past.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Toni Morrison's Beloved and its exploration of significant numerical patterns. It establishes the central premise of the paper: analyzing the role of numbers within the novel's narrative. The chapter outlines the structure of the paper, including an overview of the analysis of the novel's three-part structure, its chapter counts, and the examination of key numbers appearing throughout the text. The introduction also briefly touches on the novel's themes of slavery, trauma, and the haunting effects of the past.
2. General thoughts about the significance of numbers in Beloved: This chapter establishes the methodology for analyzing the numerical symbolism within Beloved. It acknowledges the interconnectedness of the numbers and explains the non-numerical order of the subsequent chapter analysis. The approach focuses on each number individually, highlighting their significance within the context of the novel and their possible connections to biblical interpretations. This chapter sets the stage for the detailed analysis of specific numbers to follow.
2.1 The three parts of Beloved and their quantity of chapters: This section analyzes the three-part structure of Beloved, examining the number of chapters in each part (eighteen, seven, and three, respectively). The analysis connects these chapter counts to the novel's narrative progression, highlighting the significance of the numbers eighteen (years since Sethe's act), seven (letters in "Beloved"), and three (the number of surviving children). The differing first sentences of each part ("124 WAS SPITEFUL," "124 WAS LOUD," and "124 WAS QUIET") are analyzed as reflecting the shifting emotional atmosphere and the changing dynamic within the house at 124 Bluestone Road. The chapter argues that these numerical and textual elements work in tandem to convey the thematic evolution of the novel.
2.2 Number three: This chapter explores the multifaceted meaning of the number three in Beloved. It notes the absence of a third child (Beloved), who was murdered, impacting the family dynamics. It discusses the recurring motif of "threesomes" within the house, emphasizing the instability and unhappiness within these constellations (Sethe, Denver, and Baby Suggs; later Sethe, Denver, and Paul D, and finally Sethe, Denver, and Beloved). The analysis draws parallels with the biblical Trinity, contrasting the perfect unity of the Trinity with the dysfunctional relationships within the novel. The chapter also connects the number three with the exorcism scene, comparing it to the crucifixion of Jesus, further emphasizing the significance of this number in the context of redemption and healing.
2.3 Number eighteen: This section delves into the significance of the number eighteen, connecting it to the eighteen years that have passed since Sethe killed her baby. This connects the number to Sethe's unresolved trauma and the ongoing presence of the past. It offers an alternative interpretation of eighteen as the sum of the number of letters in the names of Sethe's three surviving children (Howard, Buglar, and Denver), highlighting the theme of family and loss. The chapter subtly hints at the complex interplay between past and present, emphasizing the lasting impact of historical trauma.
Keywords
Beloved, Toni Morrison, numerical symbolism, biblical allusions, trauma, slavery, family, community, redemption, healing, ghost, Sethe, Denver, Paul D, Beloved, 124 Bluestone Road.
Toni Morrison's *Beloved*: A Numerical Analysis - FAQ
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
The paper analyzes the significance of numbers and numerical patterns in Toni Morrison's novel, Beloved. It explores how specific numbers, their relationships, and the overall numerical structure of the novel contribute to its narrative and thematic development.
What are the key themes explored in the paper regarding the use of numbers in *Beloved*?
The paper examines the symbolic meaning of recurring numbers (like three and eighteen), their connection to biblical allusions, the relationship between numbers and the characters' experiences of trauma and healing, and the role of numbers in representing themes of family, community, and the past's influence.
What is the structure of the numerical analysis presented in the paper?
The analysis begins with a general discussion of the significance of numbers in Beloved, establishing the methodology. Then, it focuses on specific numbers: the three-part structure of the novel and its chapter counts (eighteen, seven, and three), the number three itself, and the number eighteen. Each section explores the potential symbolic meaning of these numbers within the novel's context and relates them to the narrative progression and thematic development.
How does the paper analyze the three-part structure of *Beloved*?
The paper examines the differing number of chapters in each of the three parts (eighteen, seven, and three) and connects these numbers to the novel's narrative. It links these numbers to significant events and characters' experiences (eighteen years since Sethe's act, seven letters in "Beloved," three surviving children). The analysis also considers how the differing first sentences of each part reflect the shifting emotional atmosphere.
What is the significance of the number three in *Beloved*, according to the paper?
The number three is analyzed in relation to the absence of a third child (Beloved), the recurring motif of "threesomes" within the house, and its connection to the biblical Trinity. The paper contrasts the perfect unity of the Trinity with the dysfunctional relationships in the novel and connects the number three to themes of redemption and healing.
What is the significance of the number eighteen in *Beloved*, according to the paper?
The number eighteen is linked to the eighteen years that have passed since Sethe killed her baby, representing unresolved trauma and the ongoing presence of the past. The paper also suggests an alternative interpretation, connecting it to the sum of letters in the names of Sethe's surviving children, highlighting the theme of family and loss.
What are some of the key words associated with the analysis?
Key words include Beloved, Toni Morrison, numerical symbolism, biblical allusions, trauma, slavery, family, community, redemption, healing, ghost, Sethe, Denver, Paul D, Beloved, and 124 Bluestone Road.
What is the objective of this paper?
The objective is to analyze the significance of numbers in Toni Morrison's novel, Beloved, examining how specific numbers and their relationships contribute to the novel's narrative and thematic development. The analysis includes exploring the numerical structure of the novel and the symbolic meaning of individual numbers, drawing parallels with biblical interpretations where applicable.
What kind of data is used in this analysis?
The analysis uses the text of Toni Morrison's *Beloved* itself, focusing on the numerical patterns, chapter structure, and recurring numbers within the narrative.
Who is the intended audience for this analysis?
This analysis is intended for academic use, focusing on a structured and professional examination of the themes in *Beloved* through a numerical lens.
- Citation du texte
- Nora Nobis (Auteur), 2012, The Significance of numbers in "Beloved", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/204561
