Denver's Coming of Age in Toni Morrison's Beloved

Denver has to recognize her dependence on others and start to rely on herself so that she can become her own person and reach her full potential. Before Beloved, Denver had only left the house a few times and needed someone’s help to do something. As Beloved and Sethe grow closer, Denver has the chance she needs to realize the dangers of reliance on Sethe and Beloved. In order to survive, Denver is forced to fend for herself and become independent for the first time. Denver’s desperation for approval and dependence on others prevents her from being an independent young adult because her focus on approval and others assistance does not allow her to focus on herself. When Paul D first arrives, Denver cries to Sethe, “I can’t no more… I can’t live here” (17). Although Denver is crying to her mother that she cannot live in 124 anymore, Sethe refuses to move. After Sethe says that they are not moving, Denver drops the conversation and is forced to stay. Denver is so reliant on Sethe that she will not leave the house that is ruining her life emotionally, mentally, and socially even though she is old enough to move out. Living in 124 and Denver’s need for her mother, prevents her from doing what is the best for her health and does not allow her to give attention to helping herself. Denver is also so focused on her desire for Beloved’s attention that she does not care that Beloved only pays attention to her when Sethe is not around. In chapter eight, Denver and Beloved are dancing when Denver asks Beloved not to tell Sethe that she is Sethe’s dead daughter. Beloved gets upset at Denver for trying to tell her what to do and doesn’t want to continue dancing. Denver is so content with Beloved’s attention that she wants to keep Beloved’s secret from Sethe. If Sethe were to discover that Beloved was her daughter, Denver would lose the attention she strives for from both Sethe and Beloved. Denver’s desire Beloved, bring her to lie, keeping her and her mother from the truth,