Beloved Business Letter
[This is a business letter in response to Ronald Savage's criticism levied
on Toni Morrison's Beloved.]
January 28,2007
(Location)
Dear Ronald Savage:
Philadelphia, PA 19094
Dear Ronald Savage:As a student at William Penn Charter School, I am writing to you regarding your provincial book review on Toni Morisson’s Beloved, “Nothing to Love about Beloved.” I am not asking you to love Beloved or even like it, but rather to acknowledge and value the significant message in this historical fiction novel. Both children and adults should read about the horrors and hardships of slavery to understand the weight of America’s history. From reading this profound novel, I developed an insightful and thorough understanding about slavery as well as the evolution of a prevalent issue common in America—racism. How can you allow your children to walk the streets of Philadelphia while assuming that blacks are incapable of becoming “full and productive members of society?”
Blacks received their independence many centuries after the Declaration of Independence granted all Americans “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Despite your opinion, blacks have met and continue to exceed your standard as “productive members.” Who are you to judge an entire race and undermine their accomplishments? If I said all white privileged males felt entitled to judge others, I would be at fault for making a racial generalization quite similar to your own.
I find it amusing that you are oblivious to the everlasting effects of slavery that still remain today. Considering that blacks are not meeting your standard or definition of “productivity.” I hope you are aware of the many disadvantages and setbacks blacks endured even after they were declared free. Maybe you took note of these obstacles while reading Beloved, or then again maybe not. The mistreatment and degradation of slaves prevailed years after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. I will spare you from researching slavery in the nearest history book and share a few of the many immoral policies enforced in the South even after blacks were technically “free” such as the Fugitive Slave Act and The Black Codes. I recommend that you research these cruel policies prior to writing another ignorant book review.
While you’re great grandfather may have had at least one or more opportunities to rise above in society, the black race did not. Ultimately, black’s intangible and non-existent freedom further prevented them from having opportunities. This was exemplified by the character’s occupations in the novel. Janey Wagon is a loyal housekeeper to the Bodwin’s and there is no doubt that she was treated suitably by this white family. However, regardless of how highly the Bodwin’s esteemed Janey, any white could use the front door, but since she was black she used the back door. When Denver knocks on the Bodwin’s front door to inquire about employment opportunities, Janey explains to her the rule she has to follow since they are black employees working for a white family: “First thing you have to know is what door to knock on.” (298). Entering the Bodwin’s residence through the back door is customary for Janey. This ritual is representative of Janey’s limited liberties and entitlement as a black employee. I am quite positive in surmising that if the Bodwin’s hired a white woman, she would not be advised to enter the house through the backdoor.I know I asked you not to open the nearest history textbook, but if you cannot resist the temptation then I suggest you read the history book that my U.S. History Class is using to learn our curriculum this year. In Eric Lerson’s Give Me Liberty, there is a reference to the true story behind Morrison’s novel in which, the book states:
“Margaret Garner, a Kentucky slave who had escaped with her family to Ohio, killed her own young daughter rather then see her returned to slavery by federal marshals. (At then of the twentieth century, this incident would become the basis for Toni Morrisons’s celebrated novel Beloved).” (474)
Evidently, the author of this accurate history text book advises readers to gain a stronger outlook on slavery in learning the story of a woman that “violently cut her baby’s throat and let’s her child bleed to death in her own arms.” I guess you will not be so enthusiastic to point your children to this liberal text book because it celebrates Beloved and advocates to young readers (like myself) to read about the “horrors of slavery” from both a historical and literary perspective. In order to develop and understand the horrors of slavery, it is important for students to read Morrison’s novel as well as learn the facts from their history text book. Morrison, a winner of the Noble Prize, wrote a historical fiction novel that takes her readers to another place. My English class felt a sense of empathy as we read and discussed this novel. While reading Beloved, I placed myself in Sethe’s shoes, which resulted in developing a new perspective on slavery. Morrison’s words have the power to move her readers in that she creates a different angle for her readers to look at slavery from. At the same time, I think it is essential to know the black and white facts about slavery. From the Triangular Trade to John Brown’s raid at Harpers Ferry, it is our duty as American citizens to be knowledgeable and well educated about specific laws, events, and individuals that have shaped our nation into what is today. I have been a student for eleven years, and the topics that I am most knowledgeable about are the ones that I have learned through multiple perspectives.
I, along with my fellow peers, was equally disturbed as you were by Sethe’s actions, yet, as her story slowly unfolded I slowly began to understand her rationale. There is a difference between understanding Sethe’s actions and agreeing with them. I only ask that you explore the first option: try to comprehend what would motivate a loving mother to commit this crime? When I first asked myself this question, I eventually understood that Sethe’s commitment to protect Beloved resulted from her cruel and painful life as a slave which essentially caused her to take her own daughter’s life. Sethe’s maternal instincts to kill Beloved stem from her own daunting experience. From witnessing the Sweet Home men being treated like animals to hearing that she was the literal subject of a science project by a young boy who dehumanizes her, Sethe wanted her child to be treated like a person.
As Beloved torments Sethe for murdering her and threatens to abandon her mother, Sethe reiterates to Beloved her reason for killing her:
“Beloved Might leave. Leave before Sethe could make her realize that—far worse—was what Baby Suggs died of, what Ella knew, what Stamp saw and what Paul D tremble. That anybody white could take your whole self for anything that came to mind. Not just work, kill, or maim you, bur dirty you. Dirty you so bad you couldn’t like yourself anymore. Dirty you so bad you forgot who you were and couldn’t think it up. And though she and others lived through and got over it, she could never let it happen to her own. The best thing she was was her children. Whites might dirty her all right, but not her best thing, her beautiful, magical best thing—the part of her that was clean.” (295)
If preserving her child’s dignity and purity meant killing Beloved herself, then Sethe was willing to do this. Although many criticize Sethe for being selfish and even crazy, her actions demonstrate her resentment that has accumulated from the horrors of slavery, which made her “dirty” and lose her sense of “self.” Vividly described by Sethe to Denver, Sethe struggles to reach 124 on Bluestone Road. After she escapes from Sweet Home, pregnant Sethe nearly dies but she makes it with the help of Amy Denver. As a result, Sethe was not going to allow School Teacher to “dirty” her child after using her last ounce of her inner strength to survive her journey. If anyone was going to kill her baby, Sethe would. Sethe would rather have her child die then to become a slave. I believe Sethe commits this crime out of undying love, protection, and pride. This incident is not only the foundation of this novel, but embodies the sheer hatred ex-slaves feel towards their past. Sethe wanted Beloved to maintain her identity and therefore, did not wish for Beloved to share the same past as her. Nonetheless, Beloved is resentful towards her mother for this very reason.
I partially agree with you in that “the main character in this novel is not sane.” Yet, I do not believe you can make such a general statement. At one point in the novel, Sethe is mentally unstable and weak, but to claim that she is “not sane” throughout the entire novel is simply “not sane.” Sethe could no longer maintain her hard exterior, pride, and strength. Upon the intrusive arrival of her baby ghost, Beloved begins to have a detrimental effect on her lifestyle. Paul D leaves her out of sheer embarrassment of discovering her crime and the town continues to isolate her. Above all, Beloved’s presence takes a toll on Sethe since she asks her to do everything for her. Sethe cares for Beloved in order to make up for all the years she did not care for her. Throughout the majority of the novel, Sethe avoids appearing vulnerable at all cost. However, when her past and painful memories come to haunt her and push away the one man who understands her (Paul D), Sethe has a temporary breakdown. Like all humans, Sethe could only continue to keep it together for so long after the many hardships she has endured. When she attacks Mr. Bodwin with an ice dagger because she thinks he looks like School Teacher from afar, this demonstrates that Sethe continues to be disturbed by her past. Her ghost are real and becomes a constant throughout her life.
After all, Sethe only had some trivial issues throughout her life such as: losing her mother to slavery, becoming a slave herself, being raped more than once, losing her husband, killing her own daughter, scaring away her own sons, being humiliated by the entire town, living in a haunted house, and sacrificing everything (from her love life to her dignity) in order to please her dead baby’s spiteful ghost. Thinking about these tragic events is mentally exhausting, let alone experiencing them. I am surprised that Sethe did not have a breakdown earlier in the novel. It as though you expect a former slave to not be affected by their past. It is possible you feel this way since you’re incapable of visualizing the horrors of slavery. It is as though you expect someone to not feel pain after being whipped repeatedly. It is quite possible Sethe’s mental breakdown could be attributed to any of these life-altering events. Sethe takes a hiatus from her responsibilities anymore due to the fact that she cannot contain her emotional pain from slavery inside. Naturally, slavery has an everlasting effect, her painful past coming back to haunt her. Depending on when Sethe reaches her threshold, determines when the pain can no longer be contained inside her. She suppresses her pain for so long that one day it just explodes!
Furthermore, in the final pages of the novel, Sethe appears to be in a state of recovery especially, after Beloved leaves her. Nonetheless, Sethe will always dwell on her past and remember images, family, and friends. At the same time she will attempt to forget all of these things. The pain will resurface and then shortly subside, and the cycle will repeat. Sethe explains this immutable cycle and the power of the past to Denver: If you go there—you who was never there—if you go there and stand in the place where it was, it will happen again; it will be there, waiting for you . . . Even though it’s all over—over and done with—it’s going to always be there waiting for you. (44) It is only natural for Sethe to revisit her horrible memories, pain, and sadness. This is human nature: to confront your past in order to cope with it. I am sure that you have had a traumatic experience that is impossible to forget. Although it is difficult for Sethe to deal with Beloved’s death, it is therapeutic as well. There is no doubt in 124 the “rememory tricks and ghost” create large issues for this family. Beloved’s disturbing arrival is not only significant in that she represents the past, but she also represents the future. In confronting and caring for her dead daughter, Sethe faces her pain head on. Sethe’s pain will slowly begin to diminish and though it will always remain, she will feel more at peace with her past and eager to embark on her future.
Mr. Savage, it is my hope that if you did not understand the initial message of Beloved, then I have assisted in somewhat broadening your narrow opinion on this novel. In addition, I hope you think twice next time before you make irritating judgments. There is a large possibility that whoever you are judging has a harder life and therefore, it not as lucky as you. Please stop criticizing individuals that you many not support. From discouraging a Philadelphian to the winner of the Nobel Prize, there is no value in humiliating an individual or an entire race. Whatever motivated you to right this book review in the first place leads to me believe that the only person you should be critiquing is yourself.
Sincerely,
Jordyn Shaffer
Supplement to Beloved Business Letter Project
The ability to write a business letter is an essential skill that all people will utilize at one point throughout their life. Prior to writing Mr. Savage, I had a lot to learn about the components of a business letter since I had yet to write one. When Mr. Franek first introduced the business letter project I knew it would have everlasting benefits, whether I needed to write one as a student or an adult. The task for my English class was to incorporate our opinion in a formal business letter in response to book reviews on Toni Morrison’s Beloved. A rule of thumb for writing a business letter is that the format needs to be flawless in order for the recipient to take the author and their message seriously. Essentially, the business letter is a reflection of the professionalism of the author. The mechanics that represent this are: writing the address of the recipient bellow the date, placing the author’s address in the top right corner, and single spacing the letter. In addition, careless mistakes demonstrate a lack of professionalism such as underlining words or spelling sincerely incorrectly (not sinceraly). In an opinionated formal business letter the writer should use effective quotes to emphasize and support their point. Slavery is a word I have heard throughout my entire education, but up until this year my knowledge about slavery was at a standstill. However, as my junior year has progressed I feel like I have a greater sense of what this word represents. Both in English and History, I have learned the astounding effects that slavery had on so many lives and still continues to today since it relates to racism. Though not directly, I am surrounded with issues in the 21st century that derive from slavery and feel that I have a stronger perspective on these issues since I have learned the details about slavery in the19th century. Mr. Franek and all of the students in my English class (including myself) explored “the horrors of slavery” that appeared in this novel. Slavery, a humane institution that exploited adults, their children, and their children’s children, is just plain evil.