Beloved Worksheet
Each main character in this story suffers terrible degradation. One of the effects of degradation is that they lose their ability to hope and to love themselves. Some of them rise from the ashes of that degradation and learn to love themselves and others and to have hope for a good future.
Your task:
1. Find the page in your book regarding the degradation and redemption.
2. Read that passage and discuss it in your group.
3. Then explain to the class why the character was so degraded or redeemed by the event.
Sethe
1. The robbing of her milk.
2. Her beating at the hands of the boys.
3. The return of Paul D.
4. Her attitude toward the past
5. The four horsemen returning for her.
6. The killing of her child.
7. The return of Beloved.
8. Her relationship with Beloved after she discovers her ìidentity.î
9. Setheís conversation with Paul at the end of the story.
Paul D.
1. The bit in the mouth.
2. Staring at Mister.
3. His time in Alfred, Georgia (make note of his ìbreakfastî).
4. His relationship with Sethe.
5. His relationship with Beloved.
6. His discovery of Setheís killing of her child and his conversation with her about it.
7. Paulís conversation with Sethe at the end of the story.
Denver
1. Hearing the rumors of her mother.
2. Her relationship with the ghost.
3. Her relationship with Paul D.
4. Her relationship with Beloved
5. Her journey to her former teacher.
6. Her new job.
7. The last thing she says to Paul D.
Baby Suggs
1. The scene of the clearing in the woods.
2. Her wonder at her sonís efforts to buy her freedom.
3. Her reflections on the fate of her children.
4. Her response to being free for the first time.
5. Her surrender after the killing of the baby.
Stamp Paid
1. His discovery of the ribbon.
2. What happened to his wife and why he chose his name.
3. His relationship with Denver.
4. His relationship with Paul D.
Who is Beloved?
Three theories:
1. A runaway slave who kept by a sea captain.
2. The reincarnated child.
3. A being who somehow combines the above two.
Consider: What are her qualities (physical & psychological) and what do these qualities symbolize?