Representations of the Past and Future in Beloved
Beloved by Toni Morrison has many themes and messages throughout the book. There are many characters that represent many different things. I feel that Paul D represents the future and moving forward with life. Paul D represents the possibility of healing from the traumas of the past. Beloved represents the past, actively moving backwards into the past. She is the opposite of Paul D. She represents unhealed trauma. Both Paul D and Beloved influence Setha with their opposite views of the past, the future, and the trauma of their history. Paul D has had a very hard life. He was a slave at Sweet Home with Sethe. Even though he has had a terrible past he believes in the possibility of a better life. Paul D doesn’t dwell on the mistreatment and horrors of his past. The past is like a block preventing him from the chance of a happy and peaceful future. He tries to forget the trauma of his past. He looks forward to the future. He has hope for the future. One of Paul D’s main ...