An Analysis of Beloved by Toni Morrison

Thesis: In the novel Beloved, Paul D’s struggle to overcome the power his past has on him reflects Morrison’s message that only by accepting and confronting your past can you overcome it and move on to a better future. Topic Sentences: •The past’s power over Paul D is symbolized by his “tin tobacco box”, in which he locks away his emotions thereby succumbing to the chains of his past. •Paul D’s complete acceptance of the power of the past is paralleled by his acceptance of Beloved’s power over him, when his “tin tobacco box” breaks open.

Only once Paul D has accepted his past does he realizes that he wants to move on and create a life which he had formerly been denied, whether by oppression or his inability to confront his past. Paragraph: Only once Paul D has accepted his past does he realizes that he wants to move on and create a life which he had formerly been denied, whether by oppression or his inability to confront his past. Having overcome the oppression of his past Paul D wants to build a life with Sethe, so he must help her overcome her own past.In this way Paul D is passing on the lesson that he has learned. Thus Morrison also suggests the need for a strong community to help overcome oppression. By the end of the novel, Paul D has rejected his previous belief that you shouldn’t love anything too much.

He has finally moved on from his past life as a slave and is able to see himself as a human being with all the rights therein. Morrison’s message serves as a warning that as a country and as a people we should never attempt to deny or cover up our past.