Slavery in Toni Morrison's Beloved

by Dedria Bryfonski (Editor)

Overview

This compelling volume explores Toni Morrison's classic novel through the lens of slavery. The book examines Morrison's life and influences and takes a critical look at key ideas related to slavery in Beloved, such as the role of slavery in both the forging and destruction of an African-American identity, the impact of slavery on family relationships, and the psychological trauma caused by slavery. Contemporary perspectives on the subject of slavery are presented as well, touching upon topics such as the global problem of human trafficking and the role of multinational corporations in modern day slavery.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780737763904
Publisher:	Greenhaven Publishing LLC
Publication date:	07/25/2012
Series:	Social Issues in Literature Series
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	15 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

Chronology 13

Chapter 1 Background on Toni Morrison

1 The Life of Toni Morrison Denise Heinze Catherine E. Lewis 18

2 Morrison Creates a Black History That Is an Essential Part of the American Dream Sture Allen 32

3 Morrison Based Beloved on a True Story Cincinnati Enquirer 36

Chapter 2 Slavery in Beloved

1 Beloved Shows How the Power of Love Helped Black People Survive Slavery Carolyn C. Denard 42

2 Morrison Uses Slave Songs to Show the Humanity of Slaves Peter J. Capuano 54

3 Racial Solidarity Is the Only Solution to Slavery and Racism Doreatha Drummond Mbalia 67

4 The Character Beloved Depicts the Loss of Cultural Identity That Occurred During Slavery Lisa Williams 76

5 An African American Identity Was Forged by Slavery Timothy L. Parrish 84

6 Slavery Robbed African Americans of Their Personal Identities Jennifer L. Holden 91

7 Beloved Exposes the Psychological Trauma Caused by Slavery J. Brooks Bouson 103

8 Morrison Examines the Divisive Impact of Racial Oppression Babacar M'Baye 117

9 Slavery Damaged the Mother-Child Relationship Wilfred D. Samuels Clenora Hudson-Weems 125

Chapter 3 Contemporary Perspectives on Slavery

1 Slavery Remains a Significant Global Problem E. Benjamin Skinner, as told to Terrence McNally 137

2 US Companies Are Complicit in Modern-Day Slavery Sarah C. Pierce 146

3 It Is Possible to Eradicate Modern Slavery Kevin Bales 156

4 Human Sex Trafficking Is Big Business Rodney Hill Amanda Walker-Rodriguez 166

For Further Discussion 173

For Further Reading 175

Bibliography 177

Index 181