Throughout part one of Beloved by Toni Morrison, one may wonder why a man like Paul D is drawn so much to Sethe even after Beloved enters her home. However, their relationship’s complexity brings them together as they both share trauma and a desire for a sense of belonging. Through these similar emotions, Paul D is able to look past Beloved and is not afraid of her because of the love he has for Sethe in Part One.
One reason the two have such a strong bond is because of the shared trauma both people experienced as enslaved people in Kentucky on the plantation “Sweet Home” during the mid-1800s. Both Sethe and Paul D brutally suffered enslavement as they were mainly treated inhumanely. This suffering created a foundation of mutual understanding for the two as they could listen to and understand what each other went through. Sethe understood how emasculating it could be when Paul D would be forced to wear a bit, saying, “how offended the tongue is, held down by iron, how the need to spit is so deep you cry for it. She already knew about it”(pg 84). However, she still tries to make him feel better by asking, “You want to tell me about it?”(pg 85) Sethe understood what Paul D needed because they both witnessed the same things. This understanding is what made him love her so much.
Although they suffered in Sweet Home, Sethe, and Paul D were part of a family on their plantation. Without this familial relationship, Paul D looked for a way to belong and found this in Sethe, who was also looking for the same thing. When the two first get together, Paul D’s thoughts said, “His dreaming of her had been too long and too long ago.”(pg 25). Reminiscing is a common theme throughout the book as Paul D often daydreams about the past and his old family, highlighting that he is always looking for a similar feeling. Once Paul D and Sethe have sex, Paul D realizes that he will try never to leave Sethe as he has finally found a family again. Even though he leaves at the end of part one, his love for Sethe is not lessened.
Both Sethe and Paul D have an unconventional relationship. Yet, it is very strong, built on a common understanding that expands their love.
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Zoie S
I like how you connected their lives after slavery with their lives at Sweet Home. The bond between Sethe and Paul D is super important and emphasizes the concepts of memory and reminiscing.
Calum
I think it’s really interesting the way that you highlighted the bonds that were formed in Sweet Home despite the terrible conditions. It’s hard to know whether their relationship is truly romantic or if it’s a way to recapture some familial past.
Paloma T
I like how you brought up the idea of “rememories” as reminiscing. When I read the book, I also justified Paul D and Sethe’s relationship based on their shared trauma.
nobleashe
I like how you specifically describe with detail how Paul d is connected to sethe, while still summarizing it in the end with the idea they are connected as family.