Everyone Believes the Same Thing, the Only Difference is in How it is Said or Shown

In Toni Morrison’s novel, Beloved, which has been written in 1987, she demonstrates the social divide between classes during the time of slavery through various experiences that the main character, Sethe, goes through. These experiences contain an abundance of imagery that allows the reader to get a deeper, more visual look into the dehumanizing horrors of slavery that History textbooks fail to mention. In Morrison’s novel, there appears to be a very evident pattern in what Sethe experiences as a black slave. Initially in the book, it appears that every white person has a different view and attitude towards slavery, while some may seem to treat blacks more fairly and kindly others violently and sexually abuse blacks/slaves. However, by the end of the book it is evident that the assumptions and theories revolving around slaves and African americans are all the same regardless of  how each white individual shows it. Therefore, these beliefs held by the whites are what causes the ultimate social divide between whites and blacks. As a result, despite a white’s social and economic class, whether they are poor whites in the lower class they are still incapable of seeing past the racial differences between whites and blacks, creating the social triangle with whites at the top and blacks at the bottom.

As Amy’s innocence and willingness to help Sethe may seem kind and genuine she still holds Blacks and slaves in disdain through her racial commentaries and remarks. In the novel Amy Denver is a young girl who is an indentured servant. When Amy and Sethe cross paths, Amy is in the process of fleeing her cruel master who at times whips her; Sethe at this point is also, fleeing schoolteacher and his brutality. As Sethe mentions the pain she is feeling in her back Amy proceeds to unfasten the back of her dress to check what is bothering her; thus, when Amy notices what lies beyond Sethe’s dress, deep rugged whip wounds, she remains silent for several moments and eventually speaks to compare Sethe’s whip wounds to a tree, “A Chokecherry tree (93).” At the sight of Sethe’s wounds, Amy shares that she too had “some whippings,” but not ones like Sethe’s (93). In the article, Bigotry, Breast Milk, Bric-a-Brac, a baby, and a Bit in “Beloved”: Toni Morrison's portrayal of Racism and Hegemony, the author, Heather Duerre Humann, demonstrates that there exists a connection between Amy Denver and Sethe, in spite of their racial differences. They both have a master that they must answer to, they both have experienced physical abuse at the hands of their master, and they are both fugitives as they are running away from their master. The article also, proceeds to mention that because of this connection that they feel, having been in similar oppressive systems, they develop partial affinity for one another (Humann, 2004, 16).

However, as seen in the book and mentioned in the article, although Amy shows benevolence and compassion towards Sethe, she still cannot prevent differentiating herself from Sethe. As a white she still holds herself in higher regard than Sethe. Her conversation with Sethe is littered with racist epithets and fraught with dehumanizing remarks as she nonchalantly mentions to Sethe that she is about “the scariest-looking something” that she has ever seen (39). The article mentions how in this specific phrase Amy is referring to Sethe as a something and also negatively commenting on her appearance (Humann, 2004, 17). By viewing and regarding Sethe as a “something” Amy is essentially suggesting that she is not human, but a thing reaching the idea that Sethe is inferior (less than Amy). Also, by mentioning that Sethe’s image is frightening, she is evidently calling her a beast as emphasizing that she has never before seen such a hideous thing/creature. furthermore, when Amy tells Sethe that she is “the dumbest thing on this here earth (98)” she is deeming Sethe as the thing that is less among all other things, whether living or nonliving. Though Sethe and Amy have much in common, Amy is not able to get pass their social and racial differences, as she believes that whites are entirely human, more attractive, and smarter as opposed to blacks; thus, causing all whites to be superior and all blacks to be inferior.

In addition, When schoolteacher orders his nephews to rape Sethe, while he observes and takes notes on the act, he demonstrates his belligerent style of subjugating the slaves of Sweet (in this case Sethe). In the novel Sethe still remains haunted and traumatized by this occurrence, as she recalls when the boys came and “stole [her] milk (81).” This violent act of brutality and humiliation is depicted powerfully as Sethe states, “I am full God damn it of two boys with mossy teeth, one sucking on my breast the other holding me down, their book-reading teacher watching and writing it up (83).” This shows Sethe’s raw pain and trauma as she is able to easily recall the memory. According to the article, Bigotry, Breast Milk, Bric-a-Brac, a baby, and a Bit in “Beloved”: Toni Morrison's portrayal of Racism and Hegemony, “When the nephews steal Sethe’s milk, they treat her, on one hand, like an animal by milking her and laying claim to all that it produces (Humann, 2004, 9).” Also, by observing and documenting the rape, schoolteacher is sexually exploiting Sethe. Therefore, as he has ultimate power and control over her, he is able to rebuild the overall nature of her existence, one that is less than human and animal. Through the nephews and schoolteachers actions it is clear that they are dehumanizing Sethe, in this case both violently and sexually. To schoolteacher and his nephews the divide between whites and blacks go way beyond social, economic, and racial differences, they consider blacks to be nothing like them. As the schoolteacher and his nephews stand at the very top of the social triangle there beliefs of superiority over the blacks is very heightened, which enables them to commit violent acts against their slaves; Thus, abusing the institution of slavery, in order to show their power and keep blacks in their “rightful” place, under whites.

Beloved, shows social classes are created, not through the economic status of the individual, but through the race of an individual. In Toni Morrison’s novel she demonstrates that social classes and triangles are usually divided up into racial differences, which if we look through social classes throughout history this can be proven. In the end, what makes those social classes remain where they are on the social triangle is beliefs. If one social classes believe something of every other social class, including that same social class, then the people with the social classes know where they stand and who has the most and least power in the triangle. Therefore, everyone believes the same things, but what is, is different is the way they ultimately decide to show their beliefs; they can be shown through the Garner’s gentleness, the schoolteacher’s aggressiveness, Amy’s innocence and youth, or Bodwin’s denial.