Denver's Coming of Age in Toni Morrison's Beloved Essay

Words: 1241
Pages: 5

Denver has to recognize her dependence on others and start to rely on herself so that she can become her own person and reach her full potential. Before Beloved, Denver had only left the house a few times and needed someone’s help to do something. As Beloved and Sethe grow closer, Denver has the chance she needs to realize the dangers of reliance on Sethe and Beloved. In order to survive, Denver is forced to fend for herself and become independent for the first time. Denver’s desperation for approval and dependence on others prevents her from being an independent young adult because her focus on approval and others assistance does not allow her to focus on herself. When Paul D first arrives, Denver cries to Sethe, “I can’t no more… I …show more content…
Neither Sethe nor Beloved knew or cared about it” (281). As Sethe stays with Beloved, they all grow hungry but Beloved will not let go of Sethe long enough for her to realize that she isn’t eating feeding Denver or herself. Denver’s isolation allows her to see that Beloved’s distraction of Sethe from everything including food is slowly killing Sethe and herself. As Beloved slowly starves Denver and Sethe, Denver slowly begins to see Beloved’s destruction is their lives and has try to piece their lives back together herself. Beloved and Sethe’s companionship allows Denver to recognize the wake of destruction that Beloved leaves behind her. Once Denver leaves the comfort of her home to look for help, she is able to grow and put her life on the track it was meant to be on. Denver’s first step to becoming her own person, after her recognition that she needed help, was her venture to Lady Jones’ house. When Denver arrives at Lady Jones’, she is hesitant to talk to her but eventually opens up and says, ”I want work Miss Lady… I can’t do anything, but I would learn it for you if you have a little extra” (292). Denver makes two steps toward growth and independence by talking to Lady Jones. For the first time in a long while, Denver has the courage to speak to someone without her mother standing by her side. Also, Denver’s ability to reach out and ask for help shows that she has gained confidence and her increase in independence has allowed her