Analysis Of Beloved Essay, Research Paper
The film Beloved, an adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Toni Morrison of the same title, portrays the life of a slave and provides a realistic look at the horrors of slavery and the effect that it has on an African American that has lived through such an experience. Sethe, a former slave (played by Oprah Winfrey), lives in a house with, what remains of her four children, Denver (Kimberly Elise), her daughter. They are ostracized by their community for what at first seems to be because they have a rather violent apparition inhabiting their house. This spirit has brutally harmed their dog and driven Sethe s two sons from her home. The activities of the spirit calm after the arrival of Paul D (Danny Glover), an old friend of Sethe. He, also a former slave, is from the same plantation as Sethe. Sweet Home they call it. Even though Paul D was just passing by, his visit turns into an extended stay as he provides comforting, company, companionship and sexual fulfillment for Sethe at this time. They begin to have the shaky makings of a something that resembles a family until the arrival of Beloved (Thandie Newton).
One day on their way back from a carnival they encounter a stranger propped up rather awkwardly against a tree stump outside the front porch of the house. It is a young woman dressed in Victorian black that at first glance seems to be lifeless. Denver takes her in and she and Sethe are immediately accepting of her. Paul D on the other hand has his reservations. She speaks in broken sentences, as would a toddler and her movements are much the same, like she has not developed any motor skills.
The film takes place in 1873 but it is frequently noted and criticized for its non-linear time line. Called a purposefully confusing and unnecessary device, (Movie Guide) it alternates between the present and flashbacks from Sethe s memory of 1855 and the time when she was escaping from bondage. The flashbacks are fragmented and scattered throughout the movie but they tell the story of Sethe s experience and help unravel the underlying mystery of who Beloved is and where she came from. The complexity is not simply a stylistic device; it is built out of Sethe s memories, and the ones at the core are so painful that her mind circles them warily, afraid to touch. Sethe s life has not been a linear story, but a buildup to an event of unimaginable horror, and a long, sad unwinding afterward, (Ebert).
In the beginning of the movie we see a gruesome scene that takes place in Sethe s house where a dog is being thrown around the room and against the wall causing it s eyeballs to come out of its head. I feel that this scene is misleading with respect to what the movie is really about. It is not a genre ghost story but a work that uses the supernatural to touch on deep feelings, (Ebert). Sethe s deep dark past has haunted her, her home, and her family for the past 18 years and has now manifested itself in the form of Beloved.
When Sethe had escaped from Sweet Home and the wrath of School Teacher her owner, she walked miles barefoot and pregnant with her fourth child until she reached Ohio. She then tasted twenty-eight sweet days of freedom. However on the twenty-ninth day she saw that freedom about to be snatched away from her by the same people that had oppressed her before. It was her hatred and fear of slavery and her deep love for her family that caused her to attempt to free her children, determined to protect them from having to suffer the pain and torments of slavery. She only successfully kills one of them, her second youngest, by cutting her neck with a hacksaw. The whole graphic bloody scene was very powerful and moving. It showed that the extent that one would go to in order to be free had no limit. In Sethe s mind her actions were justified by love. She did what she had to do to keep her children from the life that she lived. In the eyes of the law however it was not seen a murder, simply destruction of property since that s all slaves were considered to be. As a result of her actions the seemingly self-righteous community looked down upon her.
Paul D is an important character in Beloved as much as any other especially since the main characters are basically limited to four. Some think that he is some kind of savior when he comes into Sethe s life because he not only awakens her spirit but also, quells the malicious ghost of her home. But if you really look at this character all he does for most of the movie is want to have sex. The first night he s there they spend the night together. Then there s a scene where he s taking a bath when Sethe enters the room. Despite the fact that Denver and Beloved will be following soon behind her, Paul D proceeds to attempt to coerce Sethe into a little foreplay. Even though I haven t read the book I d like to believe that this character had more significance. Perhaps on a more metaphoric level his actions are justified, but as it stands I found them to be unappealing and unnecessary.
Beloved, like most movies, received mixed reviews. The worst, I found came from Movie Guide when they said that Beloved is one of the worst movies of the year. Only the acting, set design and costuming pushes it above a poor rating. I find this to be extremely harsh for a movie as profound as Beloved. It wasn t the best movie I ve ever seen but it got high praises from well-known movie critics like Roger Ebert and various others. The length of the film was commented on quite often regardless of the rating. I personally found it to be lengthy at 172 minutes. Although the content of the story was good, it wasn t enough to fill the amount of time the movie lasted. The film had a tendency to drag at certain points. I found myself frequently checking my watch and wondering when something more exciting was going to happen. After the first twenty minutes there really was nothing to keep me interested other than my desire of wanting to know what the movie was about.
This is definitely a film for people who have read the book. There are a lot of things that don t make sense, are left unresolved or unexplained that even if you see it a second time you still won t be able to get the full impact that, I believe, the movie is intended to have. For instance, Readers of the book will know what is really happening, where Beloved’s “retardation” comes from, and why she behaves the way she does towards Paul. If you haven’t read the book, you will never understand, (Movie Habit).
Despite the length and not completely understanding what was going on, I still enjoyed Beloved. But, like so many books that have been made into movies, they have to be watered down to fit within a reasonable time. From what I gather, Beloved is one of those books. It is so full of symbolism and metaphors that even though it is obvious the movie attempt to capture these aspects they are easily overlooked and lost in the cinematography and confusing story line. This would explain why a story that wins a Pulitzer Prize as a novel falls short of obtaining an Oscar once it crosses that line into the theaters.
Works Cited
Bauermeister, Erica. 500 Books By Women. Beloved. 7 April 2000. .
Blackwelder, Bob. SPLICED. Bold Beloved Nearly Faultless. 7 April 2000. .
Clark, Mike. Grave, persuasive Beloved. USA Today. 7 April 2000. .
Ebert, Roger. Chicago Sun Times. Beloved. 7 April 2000. .
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Awards for Beloved (1998). .
McGurk, Margret A. The Cincinnati Enquirer. Beloved Masterpiece. Oct 16 1998. 7 April 2000. .
Movie Guide. Beloved. CBN Now. 7 April 2000. .
Movie Habit. Beloved. 7 April 2000 .
O Hara, Marc. Beloved. Movie Eye. 7 April 2000. .
Selkirk, Diane. Beloved. Apollo Leisure Guide. 7 April 2000. .
Другие работы по теме:
How Far Essay Research Paper Toni Morrison
How Far Essay, Research Paper Toni Morrison’s Beloved (1987) was her fifth novel, and consequently the most controversial work she had ever written. Morrison was working as a senior editor at the publishing firm Random House when she was editing a nineteenth century article which was in a historical book and found the basis for this story.
Beloved Essay Research Paper BelovedElements of the
Beloved Essay, Research Paper Beloved Elements of the supernatural pervade Toni Morrison’s novel, Beloved. These elements include evidence of African-American folklore and tradition in the everyday lives of the inhabitants of 124 Bluestone Road. Beloved’s character is another obvious use of the supernatural: she is a ghost for part of the novel and a “ghost-in-the-flesh” for the major part of the book.
Cheers A Semiotic Analysis By Berger Essay
, Research Paper Cheers : A Semiotic Analysis by Berger In Arthur Asa Berger s essay, he conducts a semiotic analysis of the comedy television show Cheers. In his analysis of the show he points out many characteristics that refer to semiotics. Even though one could not agree with all of his findings, many of them are reasonable.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper Lady MacBeth hated
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Lady MacBeth hated Duncan when he came to the land. She hated the fact that he stood a chance of being king over her husband which ment she stood a chance of not being queen. Knowing this,
Beloved Essay Research Paper Critical AnalysisBeloved in
Beloved Essay, Research Paper {Critical Analysis} Beloved in Light of Flannery O Connor s Essay Flannery O Connor lectures, in her essay on the virtues and vices of writing a novel. In her essay, she describes those certain characteristics in good literature. Toni Morrison s novel, Beloved can be examined in light of Flannery O Connor s ideas on the characteristics of good literature.
The Flea Essay Research Paper The Flea
The Flea Essay, Research Paper The Flea by John Donne John Donne’s The Flea exhibits his metaphysical ability; his aptitude for turning even the least likely images into elaborate symbols of love and romance. This poem uses the image of a flea that has just bitten the speaker and his beloved to sketch an amusing conflict over whether the two will engage in premarital sex.
Beloved A Review Essay Research Paper Beloved
Beloved (A Review) Essay, Research Paper Beloved I decided to delve into the issue of slavery in this novel. SETHE, the mother of Beloved, and was owned by the character Schoolteacher . SETHE had three children by another slave. Schoolteachers sons would take her milk so she couldn t feed her children. She grew tired of this mistreatment so she decided to run away.
Beloved Essay Research Paper BelovedIn the Novel
Beloved Essay, Research Paper Beloved In the Novel Beloved, by Toni Morrison unmasks the horrors of slavery, and depicts its aftermath on African Americans. The story is perfect for all who did
Emily Bronte Essay Research Paper Bronte name
Emily Bronte Essay, Research Paper Bronte, name of three English novelists, also sisters, whose works, transcending Victorian conventions, have become beloved classics. The sisters Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855), Emily (Jane) Bronte (1818-1848), and Anne Bronte (1820-1849), and their brother (Patrick) Branwell Bronte (1817-1848), were born in Thornton, Yorkshire.
Into The Twilight Essay Research Paper She
Into The Twilight Essay, Research Paper She, the Innocent One, Calls to me. She tightens her thighs, Wanting tenderness and gentleness, Not withered dreams and darkness.
Grecian Urn Essay Research Paper A Word
Grecian Urn Essay, Research Paper A Word Is Worth a Thousand Pictures? Shakespeare’s sonnet 18 (”Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”) and Keats’ “Ode on a Grecian Urn” were written with a common purpose in mind; to immortalize the subjects of their poems by writing them down in verses for people to read for generations to come.
The Cask Of Amontillado Lit Analysis Essay
, Research Paper Clint Kale 11/22/97 Literary Analysis Literary Analysis: The Cask of Amontillado In Edgar Allan Poe’s short story, “The Cask of Amontillado,” a character named
Sonnet 43 Essay Research Paper Sonnet 43
Sonnet 43 Essay, Research Paper Sonnet 43, A Touching Love Poem If one were to ever receive a love poem, Shakespeare?s Sonnet 43 would be and excellent poem to receive. The sonnet is addressed to the beloved of the speaker. The speaker talks about how the best thing he sees is upon the closing of his eyes, when he then pictures the beloved.
William Faulkners
“As I Lay Dying” Essay, Research Paper The main purpose for most of William Faulkner?s novel, As I Lay Dying, is to bury their beloved mother and wife, Addie Bundren, in a town called Jefferson, which is a very long and strenuous trip for them to make. The statement death shapes life perfectly describes this chain of events.
William Shakespeare S Sonnet
#18 Essay, Research Paper In William Shakespeare s Sonnet #18 , he compares his feelings towards nature to his beloved. Shakespeare talks about the beauty of a summer day and how it is beautiful to him. He has strong feelings towards the summer s never ending beauty and compares it his love for one particular person.
Antony Analysis Essay Research Paper Antony Analysis
Antony Analysis Essay, Research Paper Antony Analysis Short Essay The beauty of William Shakespeare s writing does not lie in his actual writing, but the themes in which his plays suggest. Almost all of his plays can be connected to a higher theme, one that most people can relate. In the play, Antony and Cleopatra, the theme of manipulation runs ramped.
Beloved Essay Research Paper In the novel
Beloved Essay, Research Paper In the novel Beloved, by Toni Morrison, Sethe?s killing of Beloved to save her from her future and raising of Denver to save her from her past are both done with the goal of saving them from having to live the past and present that she has yet to overcome.
The Old Man And The Sea An
Analysis Essay, Research Paper The Old Man and The Sea: An Analysis I read this book for the first time in high school and I remembered it just as well as if I had read it yesterday. As I read it again I remembered some of the
Vision Essay Research Paper Literary analysis Vision
Vision Essay, Research Paper Literary analysis: Vision Out of the Corner of One Eye. The main character of “Vision out of the Corner of One Eye “, a short story by Luisa Valezuela, goes through a complete one hundred-eighty degree change over the course of the story.
Athlete Dying Young Essay Research Paper The
Athlete Dying Young Essay, Research Paper The Critical Analysis & Summarization of "To An Athlete Dying Young", by A.E Housman This poem is telling the reader that you can not
Slave To Pain An Essay On Beloved
Essay, Research Paper Slave to Pain Sethe, now free from slavery has become a slave again, but this time instead of being a slave to a white master she is a, slave to her own pain. The sources of her pain are numerous, including the stealing of her milk, the murdering of her child, Beloved, attempting to kill the rest of her children, and two of her children leaving her because of it.
Cry The Beloved Country A Walk Of
Life Essay, Research Paper Cry, the Beloved Country: A Walk of Life By Dane Dressler Feb.-9-2000 Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton, stands out from other
Sonnet 18 Essay Research Paper Sonnet 18
Sonnet 18 Essay, Research Paper Sonnet 18 Essay Shakespeare – Sonnet 18 This sonnet is by far one of the most interesting poems in the book. Of Shakespeare’s sonnets in the text, this is one of the most moving lyric poems that I have ever read. There is great use of imagery within the sonnet. This is not to say that the rest of the poems in the book were not good, but this to me was the best, most interesting, and most beautiful of them.
Beloved Essay Research Paper Beloved by Toni
Beloved Essay, Research Paper Beloved by Toni Morrison In Toni Morrisons novel, Beloved, the main character Sethe, is a former slave who chooses to kill her baby girl rather than allowing her to be exposed to the
Who Is Beloved Essay Research Paper After
Who Is Beloved Essay, Research Paper After reading the novel Beloved by Toni Morrison, many readers may find them selves asking who Beloved really was. There are basically three
Othello Act 5 Analysis Essay Research Paper 2
Othello: Act 5 Analysis Essay, Research Paper Othello: Act 5 Analysis Iago’s intelligence causes the self destruction of Othello. He appears to be the most intelligent person in the play, Othello, by the way he acts and
Arrest Analysis Essay Research Paper Arrest
Arrest Analysis Essay, Research Paper Arrest: – An arrest is the act of depriving an individual of his liberty by legal authority. This is to inform you the two procedures of arrest. The procedures of arrest are warrant and non-warrant.
Marcelino Essay Research Paper The catalyst for
Marcelino Essay, Research Paper The catalyst for the intense drama that follows is this scene: One exasperated monk, trying to instill discipline in a beloved orphan boy, conjures up a rule. He exclaims, “You must NEVER climb this stairway!” to the attic.
Soil Analysis Report Essay Research Paper Soil
Soil Analysis Report Essay, Research Paper Soil Analysis Within the next few paragraphs, I will tell you all about the soil sample I collected and did tests on. I got some soil from out of one of my mom’s gardens. This one had a lot of flowers from Florida. This is a summary of what all I did to work on finding everything about my soil.