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... as Paul scares of the ghost. True to his Biblical character, Paul scares off the ghost. For Sethe, What she knew was that the responsibility for her breasts, at last, was in somebody else's hands. " She unburdens her worries on Paul who, processes this naturally. Paul lives up to his name as a man of God, identified with Jesus Christ. He changes from being an employee of the Roman government who sends people to prison under his name Saul, into a completely changed person Paul, preaching the claims of Christ, claiming, For me to live is Christ.
This gives parallelism now to our story where Sethe is so full of resentment and despondency that she finds herself unable to live her life in that house. It is just too full of unpleasant memories that gang up on her. These are dark clouds hovering over her, giving her less and less hope to live. Thus, Morrison uses this name of Paul as the rescuer of Seth.
Paul, the Biblical character did not live for himself but for God. He never turned around to look back at the many people he had killed, nor those he caused to suffer. Paul D. wanted to rescue Sethe from the quagmire of her existence.
Morrison uses this on purpose in order to provide a symbolism of hope for Seth, in whatever plight she may be in. Paul D. even scares the ghosts off her house. Given the increasingly fragmenting state of biblical studies today it should come as no surprise that some Pauline scholars are not interested in synthesizing their findings with contemporary theology. But those who want their theology to be at the same time cogent and biblical must ask how Paul's original meaning, enmeshed so much as it is in its historical context, can be appropriated by contemporary theology. In so doing it can be affirmed that New Testament theology is very much alive and a tenable undertaking in the twenty-first century; that the canon of Scripture has continuing relevance as an authoritative guide in matters of Christian faith. (Paul's Theology).
Faith that would transform the dark areas of Seth's life if only she allows Paul D. transform it. Even the use of the name Beloved is reminiscent of Jesus calling his disciples beloved at times. This term of endearment is found both in the Old and the New Testament. In the Old Testament, this is found 26 out of 42 times in Solomons Song of Love. Beloved represents slavery and Sethe had to face these unpleasant experiences in her past.
In doing so, she would have to remember her past and relive her past which can prove too painful (Beloved). It is a term of endearment common to both the Old and the New Testament. Historically, we can relate this story when the slaves came to the country initially as slaves and with onset of the Civil War, their cause of emancipation has been evident as statesmen began lobbying for their cause, foremost to which is the freedom from servitude. As the United States started to consolidate itself into a nation, it has to accommodate the interests of minority groups, which included African Americans and incorporate them as stakeholders in its political and social process.
As the years progressed African Americans have enjoyed significant roles and contributions in shaping American society in general. Their participation in the dynamics of American society is largely based on the liberal and democratic setting operating in the country. However, there are still some instances wherein, African Americans still experience some degree of marginalization because they are still perceived as minorities in a predominantly white society (Lutins, Allen, 2002). In Gina Philogene's work From Black to African American: A New Social Representation Old conceptions associated with Black and new projections carried by African American clash to the extent that they embody different visions of America, one based on racial differentiation and the other striving for a truly American culture shared by all. The interdependent coexistence of these two different visions concerning the relative position of black Americans has bred a dynamics fueled by conflicts and motivated by the search for a resolution to the dissonance underlying those conflicts. With respect to this continuous dissonance, the author reiterated The role of African American in this context has to be understood as an attempt to resolve the dilemma by creating for the social object a more positive representation.
As a collective effort to shift America from a racially antagonized society to a multicultural society in which diversity becomes a national quality, this new social representation places itself at the center of a profound cultural debate (Philogene, Gina). In the article Marginalization of African Americans by Allen Lutins, states that the misery and so-called ghettoization of African Americans would be eliminated through a clear understanding of their historical conditions. Seth's plight can only be fully inderstood if it is done within the framework of where she is coming from. Moreover, when myths dealing on welfare and the supposed antiquity of black rights in this country and the state are shattered, and when social programs and public education are funded amply and given sufficient time to achieve their goals.
The author noted, that those who claim that all Americans have equal opportunities fail to recognize the importance of history. By claiming that the playing field is now level for all is the equivalent of allowing someone to belatedly join a game of Monopoly after most of the properties have already been purchased; without an intentional redistribution of resources, fairness cannot be expected to advance of its own accord, and this is what Affirmative Action and welfare are all about (Philogene, Gina). As African Americans live with the challenge of equality, it is important to note that their role in American society has undergone dramatic changes. In meeting these challenges they would have to be equipped with education and with it they can effectively articulate their concerns. Equality in the full extent would be difficult to achieve especially considering the highly diverse cultural groups that comprise American society, as conflicts would inevitably arise. Towards this end, there should be viable and sustainable channels in which the interests of each group are upheld based on what is good for society in general.
With this in place compromises are made leading to a more harmonious society. Indeed, slaves learned to survive the suffering and shame of being someone elses property, but few of them were happy. They never stopped dreaming of the day when they would finally be free. This epistle addresses the questions on how sinners can be justified, accepted in the sight of God; how can a holy God forgive sinful men, reconcile them to Himself and restore them to His favor and fellowship? Similarly, Sethe attempts to reconcile her past with her future. The people then had an answer: obey the Law of Moses and in particular circumcision.
Paul's answer: Salvation is only possible through the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross, as he describes his personal philosophy as 'glorying' in the cross alone. In the same manner, in the story, how can Seth be removed from the shackles of the past except through Paul who even visits her and is right there, present in her own home. Indeed, the African American may find themselves subjects of deprivation, of serious wanting, of inequalities and of injustices, yet they are strong people who make better their position in life, and by making use of their capabilities, talents, skills and intellectual properties in order to become effective members of the society. Their ultimate achievement in life is to stand up for their causes and face every challenge that comes their way with dignity and self-respect. Slaves learned to survive the suffering and shame of being someone elses property, but few of them were happy.
They never stopped dreaming of the day when they would finally be free. Amy Denver saves Sethe and again the idea of salvation comes in here. Amy's encouragement helps Sethe. Paul D. sings prison songs as he remembers his journey from Sweet Home to Alfred, Georgia and to Delaware. Sethe continues to believe that Amy is a charmed child.
Here the author gives out bits of information from different viewpoints. Sethe states in no unequivocal terms that Amy is the center of her world and the reason for her existence. It seems Amy is invulnerable when we read that the rats in jail "bit everything in there but her. It also shows Seth's sort of idol-like awe of her. In the end, we come to realize that Sethe has come to terms with her condition, as she utters, Paul D convinced me there was a world out there and that I could live in it. Should have known better...
Whatever is going on outside my door ain't for me. The world is in this room. This here's all there is and all there needs to be" (p. 183). Indeed in many ways, this story represents slavery and oppression and how Paul was able to attempt to rescue Seth from her quiet desperation.
WORKS CITED Beloved Amazon. com. web Beloved. Accessed 10 November 2004 at: web Lutins, Allen.
Marginalization of African Americans. 2002. Accessed 10 Nov. 2005 at: web Philogene, Gina. From Black to African American: A New Social Representation. Westport CT: Praeger Publishers, 1999.
p. 17 Accessed 10 Nov. 2005 at: web Salvation. Accessed on 10 Nov. 2005 at: web Wikipedia. Alternative term for African American. Accessed 10 Nov. 2005 at: web When Reasonable Man is uninspired.
Accessed 10 Nov. 2005 at: web Webster, William. The Biblical Teaching of Justification. Webster, William. The Biblical Teaching of Justification.
Accessed on 10 November 2005 web at web
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