Womanhood+Motif+and+Themes

= As the motif of Womanhood emerges, record moments when the theme is developed interestingly. Add your ideas about what Morrison is trying to say and how she explores the theme. See Motherhood Motif and Themes for an example =


 * Theme
 * p. # "quote"

At the beginning of chapter 7, Paul D notices that Beloved is "shining" (happy) and it reminds him of strawberry plants. In his mind, he compares women to strawberry plants with appreciative diction. This reflects his view on women: that they are delicate and beautiful like strawberry plants.
 * Section 1.7, p. 64 "Women did what strawberry plants did before they shot out their thin vines: the quality of the green changed... That's how Beloved looked -- gilded and shining"

Sethe was the one who broke it off with Paul D. the first time showing her womanhood and not needing a man.


 * "She moved him" p. 114, book 1, section 1.11


 * In Section 1.16 on page 179 it reads, "Sethe reached for the baby without letting the dead one go." This shows that Sethe doesn't want to let go of the baby no matter if it is dead or alive. This is like how she doesn't want to give up on her children no matter if she knows they are gone, or not.

Even though we have reached womanhood, and are no longer a child, we sometimes still need to ask for help. Beloved acts just like sethe in an attempt to be the woman sethe was.
 * "Denver looked up at her. She did not know it then, but it was the word "baby" said softly and with such kindness, that inaugurated her life in the world as a woman.".....""But if you all need to eat until your mother is well, all you have to do is say so."" pg 248 3.1
 * "She imitated sethe, talked the way she did, laughed her laugh and used her body the same way down to the walk." Pg. 283