Toni Morrison's novel "Beloved" portrays the institutionalized dehumanization of slaves during the period of slavery in America. The novel depicts the brutal conditions of slavery and the ways in which slavery reduced human beings to mere objects or property. Through her vivid portrayal of the experiences of the characters, Morrison exposes the moral and ethical implications of slavery and the legacy of its dehumanizing effects.
One of the most striking ways in which "Beloved" portrays the dehumanization of slaves is through its depiction of the brutal physical and psychological abuse that slaves endured. Slaves were treated as objects, and their owners had complete control over their lives and bodies. They were often subjected to beatings, torture, and sexual violence, all of which were designed to strip them of their dignity and humanity. The characters in the novel, including Sethe, Paul D, and Baby Suggs, all carry the physical and emotional scars of their experiences as slaves.
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The novel also explores the dehumanizing effects of the slave trade, which treated human beings as commodities to be bought and sold. Sethe and her family were separated from each other and sold to different owners, further emphasizing the way in which slavery turned people into objects to be bought and sold at will. The slave trade also involved the brutal treatment of slaves during the Middle Passage, the voyage from Africa to the Americas, where slaves were packed into ships like cargo and subjected to inhumane conditions.
Another way in which "Beloved" portrays the dehumanization of slaves is through its depiction of the legal and social systems that upheld the institution of slavery. Slaves were denied any legal rights or protections and were subject to the whims of their owners. They were not allowed to read or write and were denied any form of education or intellectual development. The novel also shows how the broader society, including white abolitionists, often failed to see slaves as fully human and deserving of basic rights and dignity.
Finally, "Beloved" portrays the dehumanizing effects of slavery on the sense of self and identity of slaves. The characters in the novel struggle to maintain their own sense of identity and dignity in the face of the brutal conditions of slavery. Sethe is haunted by the memory of her former owner, who treated her as a mere object, and Paul D struggles to form meaningful connections with others after being forced to suppress his emotions and desires as a slave. The novel suggests that the legacy of slavery continues to impact the lives of African Americans, even after the end of slavery.
In conclusion, "Beloved" portrays the institutionalized dehumanization of slaves during the period of slavery in America. Through its vivid portrayal of the experiences of the characters, the novel exposes the moral and ethical implications of slavery and the legacy of its dehumanizing effects. The novel emphasizes the brutal physical and psychological abuse that slaves endured, the dehumanizing effects of the slave trade, the legal and social systems that upheld the institution of slavery, and the impact of slavery on the sense of self and identity of slaves. By exposing the inhumane nature of slavery, the novel encourages readers to confront the ongoing legacy of racism and discrimination in American society.
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Prepared by:
Biplob Prodhan
Founder of EDNOUB.
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Bibliography: Text Books, Internet, Study Guide
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