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In this blog we will explore Toni Morrison's masterpiece by posting discussion questions, responding to classmates' comments, and researching interesting topics further.
Guidelines:
1. All language must be academic and school appropriate.
2. Avoid digression as much as possible; be sure your line of discussion relates the novel and expands the class's knowledge/exploration in an obviously meaningful way.
3. CITE SOURCES
2. Avoid digression as much as possible; be sure your line of discussion relates the novel and expands the class's knowledge/exploration in an obviously meaningful way.
3. CITE SOURCES
How much do you like this novel?
Reason Wanted:
ReplyDeleteLooking for the answer to the question been on my mind long as I can rememory: Why? If you are out there God, if it ain't all just a mistake, I will do anything for the answer. Jus let me know what you need I can provide, and its yours. If I don't hear from you, I think I'll join Baby.
You can reach me down in the preacher's cellar, or out about town. I got no permanent address, as you know.
-Paul D
Help Needed:
ReplyDeleteFood, work, and courage needed to be provided to sustain a family in unexplainable circumstances. Haven’t left the house in twelve years and I don’t know where to turn or how to survive. Something’s come in to the house and gone wrong in and my mother’s life is in danger. She is weak and ill and if you all are willing to forget the past, at least for my sake, I am willing to work and learn to live. Charity will be graciously accepted.
You can reach me in 124, if you have the will to enter it.
- Denver
Lost and Not Wanted if Found:
Young woman, no lines on her hands, eyes dark, well-fed and naked. She just disappeared after a violent outburst at 124; looked up and she was gone. Was rumored to have been spotted by a young boy down by the stream with fish for hair. If you happen to see her passing through the woods, let her go. Everybody wants her forgotten, if they haven’t forgotten already. Don’t remember any words spoken or any encounters taking place. In fact, we all wonder if she ever even existed.
- The People of 124
Improvement Desired:
ReplyDeleteThe past is hard. The present is harder. With the memories and fears haunting my existence, there is no place to escape. I’m requesting answers, and growth; I hope for the future to come with ease - leaving behind the traumas of my past, and free my children of any pain that it may have inflicted on them.
Contact me at 124, don’t be afraid. Things will improve with your presence.
- Sethe
Requesting Answers
Who am I? What is my true identity? Beloved. The daughter of Sethe, brutally murdered out of love, motivated by the aspiration of a better future. Beloved. The ghost of Sethe’s mother coming back into life with high hopes of bringing a brighter, healthier life. Beloved. A woman, held in captivity, and newly released after the man was mysteriously found dead. Who is Beloved?
I can be presently contacted at 124, but have also spent long stretches of time in the ‘dark.’
- Beloved
1. Soul For Sale:
ReplyDeleteI’ve given up and am slowly wasting away. I’ve lost my job and can no longer afford my family, so what’s the point? My eyes are vacant anymore, and I am simply waiting for death. Speed up the process! Come join the rest of the parasites that have been sucking the life right out of me, and at no cost to you. Find me at 124 in Baby Sugg’s room, that is, if you are brave enough to enter. But hurry! Supplies are limited. Beloved has already drained most of my life force.
- Sethe
2. Wanted: Common Sense
Ladies! I recently left a woman because I was afraid of the past she had and the emotional baggage she was carrying with her. Got any of that crap? Then I’m not interested. I’ve been spending all my time drinking away my feelings in a church basement, and I think it’s time that I move along with my life and not dwell on her because maybe she’s not even worth it. I’m scared to go back to her at 124, and I need some companionship to take my mind somewhere else.
I thought that there was that one girl out there for me, and she was it. I suppose I was wrong. I’ve been hearing about all of these bad things that have been happening at 124, and I’m just glad I’m not a part of it anymore!
Well… Maybe she needs someone to love her. She’s lost a lot and is probably suffering more than I am. Actually, I’m pretty sure I don’t even know how badly I need her in my life. I can handle whatever has been going on at 124! I’ve already been through so many troubling experiences in my life – what harm could another one do? She needs me.
Never mind, ladies. There IS only one woman out there for me. I think I’ll go back to her now.
Found: Common Sense
- Paul D
1. Wanted: Life
ReplyDeleteIt seems something was taken from me, a while back. I had no say in the matter, and I think it's 'bout time I had my turn. I want to live the life I never had. I'm lost. So please, if you see a lost soul lying around, it's probably mine. I'll be at 124, satisfying my lost life with the lives that surround me.
Beloved
2. Exchange: Time
Things ain't good for me right now. I figured if your life is pretty good, you could give me some of your time and in return I'll give you mine. Though, mine seems to have a some what bad hora around it, I'm sure your blessed being will over come it. I just need a little light in my life. I need some good. So cut out a chunk of your future and drop it off at 124. Hopefully it'll make it to me alive.
Sethe
1. For Sale: Memories
ReplyDeleteMoney been tight this winter. I'm willing to accept any payment in food or clothing in exchange for my memories. They're all I got to sell. I don't want them no more, but I'm sure there's some whiteboy out there who'd love 'em. There's got to be some nice whiteboy out there who ain't got no tragedies to remember, no history to call his own. He can have mine. He can have everything I've had to keep locked up in my chest for decades, for far longer than anyone should have to rememory anything. It ain't fair for somethin' that caused pain while it was happening to still cause pain some twenty years later. Hurry to let me know if you want 'em because I fear some of them are morphing and fading too quickly and others get stronger and stronger everyday, 'til I'm afraid they might break me.
-Sethe
2. Wanted: Sethe
She is mine.
-Beloved
1. baby for sale just borned baby for sale bout a week old if interested please contact Stamp Paid only request please call him Paul after his daddy if he ever asks bout why his mama left him tell him it’s nothing personal she just wanted a girl please don't use my real name i don't want nobody knowin who i am.
ReplyDelete2. Puppy Wanted
Looking fo’ a breeder with some pups for sale. My lady’s dog, Here Boy, just died. I been lookin’ for somethin’ to put me in her good graces. Plus, she’s been real sick, and I fear if I don’t do nothin she’s gonna up and die on me like her mother-in-law did. Hopefully once she sees that new puppy, furry and full of life, she’ll rememory what it was like to live herself.
- Paul D
Wanted: Help to get my life back
ReplyDeleteMy mother is sick and my sister is killing her. Well I think she is my sister. Sometimes she is my sister. She made my mother loose her job and now my mother is starving for her. It used to be my mother and me but now Beloved came back is killing her. I want to help my mother. I need to help my mother. I can’t let her kill my mother. My mother is sick and I need to help her.
I’ll be at 124. I’ve been there for twelve years. I’ll leave if it helps my mother.
-Denver
-------------------------
Free rememories!
We thought she was good for us. We thought she was going to make our family whole again. Turns out we were wrong. It turns out that you are your own best thing, not nobody else. You can have her. We don’t want her. We are trying to for get her. Its hard to forget her sometimes, but we don’t remember anything she said. Who was she really? Was she ever even here?
Rememories: none left
Sethe:
ReplyDeleteWanted: Peace
For as long as I can rememory, I haven’t got the peace most women can retire to in the older end of age. I’ve fought for myself. I’ve fought for my freedom and my husband’s freedom. Together we foughted for the freedom of our babies and our friends. And then I got the freedom I been dreaming of. And a thousand threats against it come with.
I fight for my babies. Then my babies leave, ungrateful ‘cause the ain’t gonna run from what the don’t rememory. And my one baby, my best baby come back to forgive me.
Only she never does.
But I do everything for Beloved.
And she beats me down. And I just want to be alone—too many people tryin a hand at helpin me.
So here’s what I’m looking for:
Peace.
-
Denver:
Exchange: Life
Was there ever a white girl lookin’ to change places with a black one? I just wanna know what it’s like to live on the otherside, unafraid, head held high.
It’ll be an adventure, a nice vacation away from what you know.
Please, any takers? Please, please?
Wanted: Courage
ReplyDeleteI have lived in isolation for the past twelve years; barely ever stepping outside the walls of 124. I am eighteen years old, and I am extremely immature and fear the outside world. With a wounded sense confidence, I live in constant fear of a world that does not involve me, especially my mother’s world. I hate feeling constantly threatened by others and the feeling of exclusion from my family. I especially hate Paul D and Beloved. So please if there is anyone out there who can give me the strength and courage to step out of 124 and be greeted with the outside community, your help will be greatly appreciated. You can seek me at 124; I can assure you I will not be leaving soon.
-Denver
Take my Past…for Free!
I thought it was for the best. I thought I was doing the right thing. I didn’t want them living with the physical, emotional, and spiritual trauma that I endured as a slave. I thought I was protecting. But the memories of that horrible consume me every day; never letting let go of my past. Therefore I need someone to take my past. I do not want anything in return. I just want to rid myself of the agonizing guilt I feel every waking second of my life.
-Sethe
Wanted: Too much love
ReplyDeleteI want love. Don't tell no one, but the only one I'd ever give my too much love to has already given away her too much love, which is unwise for her to do. I know it. But now, I don't think she's capable of any love at all.
Would someone please give me what I secretly long for?
I'm willing to exchange all my rememories.
PS - I can't have your love unless you take it
- Paul D
Wanted: A Second Chance
I know she's not going to ask for it, but I know she really needs it. She thinks she's making up for what happened, but what's the point in giving your life away for someone who's already long gone (or at least should be)? Maybe it was best for her daughter, but it's not for her. I'm her daughter too, you know. I need her, but I'm losing her. I can only try and save her. Her past is her past, but I won't let it take her.
- Denver
Answers Wanted!
ReplyDeleteI come to you for answers. Why I am here? Where did I come from? I want to know the truth about my life. I love Sethe so much, but why was I the only one that died out of all of her children? I wonder sometimes if I should stay or go. But before I leave, I need to know the truth about my past. I do not want to live in the ignorance of where I come from. You can find be at 124, I am always there. Do not be afraid to come inside.
--Beloved
Memories for Sale!
I do not want to live like this anymore. I can not stand having flashbacks of the struggle I went through for her, my family, and most of all, myself. I thought I was doing the right thing, but ever since that tragic night I have been haunted by my actions. I just want these memories gone. So if there is anyone out there who wants this burden, please come and take them. You will find me at 124. I am there all the time because this burden is keeping me trapped there.
-Sethe
Wanted: the key to the door
ReplyDeleteI swear I once owned that key- small, easy to access-but now it has gone missing! I can not even remember if it ever existed.... eh remembering... Growing up as a slave has dented my being, running away has altered my strength, and losing my daughter has haunted my spirit. Memories have taken me hostage and trapped me in this cage of the past. Please anyone come rescue me! If anyone can help me find the key, or if you have it please return it. I'm stuck remembering, wanting to remember but needing to forget. Needing to move on.
-Sethe
Wanted: Community
We know that we made a big mistake the last time we didn't show her we cared. We turned our backs, ignored her problems, and figured she would work everything out on her own in time. Now we are strangers, but want our sense of community back. We realize that her problems continue to recylcle, and she needs us more than ever. Please help us find our community, and maybe we can save a life.
- The Black Community Surrounding 124
Exchange: Feelings Returned for Feelings Expressed
ReplyDeleteI want love. Don't tell no one, but the only one I'd ever give my too much love to has already given away her too much love, which is unwise for her to do. I know it. But now, I don't think she's capable of any love at all.
Would someone please give me what I secretly long for?
I'm willing to exchange all my rememories.
PS: I can't have your love unless you take it.
- Paul D
Wanted: One less sister
My mother is sick and my sister is killing her. Well I think she is my sister. Sometimes she is my sister. She made my mother loose her job and now my mother is starving for her. It used to be my mother and me but now Beloved came back is killing her. I want to help my mother. I need to help my mother. I can’t let her kill my mother. My mother is sick and I need to help her. I’ll be at 124. I’ve been there for twelve years. I’ll leave if it helps my mother.
-Denver