Beloved draws out the hardships of slavery and the obstacles that the slaves had to face in order to start over and create happiness in their lives. Throughout the novel, different characters try to break out of the shell that they are in, the shell that disguises one’s identity from being recognized. Through the journey, everyone regains their true, fresh identity through the help of the community and the people in society which then brings everyone together and pushes away the isolation that surrounded Sethe’s house.
One of the most significant themes discussed earlier, relates to the destruction of identity that was caused due to slavery and the words of apathetic, white landowners. Although the former slaves have gained their freedom, they find it…show more content… One negative impact caused by the past of slavery is self-alienation which has resulted in the depression and insecurity of many slaves. Paul D, for example, was so isolated that he couldn’t identify whether the screaming he heard was his own of someone else’s. His insecurity arose to the point where he could no longer think it was possible for him to be a real “man” and that “under every dark skin was a jungle.” (129) Sethe, likewise, felt isolated. She once heard schoolteacher giving his students a lesson to “put her human characteristics on the left; her animal ones on the right” (124) then “line them up.” (124) She, like many other slaves, is alienated from herself and loaded with self-hatred. Hence, she sees the best of herself as her children. However, her children are unpredictable, temperamental characters. Denver conflates her character with Beloved's, and Beloved feels
