Critical Lens Expert: The Paradox of Supernatural Powers

Beloved by Toni Morrison
"Hush, Little Baby Ghost: The Post-Colonial Gothic and Haunting History in Toni Morrison's Beloved"

The article “Hush, Little Baby Ghost: The Post-Colonial Gothic and Haunting History in Toni Morrison’s Beloved”, examines gothic and post-colonial themes throughout the novel and how they collectively reveal truths about that time period. The author, Ruth Van Den Akker, believes that post-colonial literature is often gothic. She argues that individuals affected by the colonization were often “haunted by the ghosts of those who were hidden and silenced” in the imperial era.

Sethe had three children, pregnant with the fourth when she ran away from Sweet Home. However, the owner finds Sethe and her children after they have attempted to run away. Sethe attempts to kill all four children in the hopes of sparing them the pain and suffering they would have to deal with if they continued on with their lives. The owner sees Sethe attempting to kill her own children, successfully killing her youngest, and he consequently believes she has gone mad. He lets her go and Sethe is forced to deal with the guilt of killing one of her own children. Her baby ghost returns to haunt House 124.

This series of unfortunate events eloquently supports Akker’s claim. Sethe is forced to come to terms with her “silenced” ghost during the imperial era, which happens to be her own daughter. The baby's ghost continues to haunt and disrupt Sethe's daily life. In some ways, Sethe brought it upon herself to experience the guilt that would come with killing her own daughter. She had the knife in her hands and she is responsible for her daughter’s death. However, Sweet Home’s owner should ultimately has the guilty conscious. Sethe would never had to deal with the pain of killing her youngest daughter if the chain of events leading up to Sethe’s runaway from Sweet Home had never occurred. Sethe is dealt a very hard card to deal with; she must choose whether she would rather have her children suffer from the evils of slavery, or never have to experience life and all the tragedies that come with it.

These issues that Akker has called upon are relevant even in today’s society. Individuals have suffered unthinkable crimes against humanity, like massive genocides, exploitation, imperialism, and discrimination. The victims of crimes like these are forced to confront their past experiences through various methods. Morrison’s use of supernatural power allows for victims of slavery, like Sethe, to confront their past and “legitimize” the crimes that have occurred.

I would like to touch on the fact that this idea of “legitimizing” crimes through supernatural power is somewhat ironic. Many people have disbeliefs about ghosts, spirits, etc. Morrison selectively chooses to use the theme of “supernatural” powers to make Sethe’s experiences more “real”, yet this theme is constantly questioned for it’s credibility and ambiguity. The oppressed continually struggle with their insecurities and “supernatural” powers reinforces the infinite struggle they will be forced to deal with during their lifetime.

Link to Akker's Essay: http://www.diffractions.net/documentos/2_RuthvandenAkker_final.pdf