Water In Toni Morrison's Beloved

We visually see water as a clear, constantly flowing object integrated in many areas such as an ocean, a pool, or even a simple cup. But sometimes we do not see the meaning water can have and it’s relation to society. In the novel Beloved, water is related to and involved in many instances that lead to a positive change. Characters like Sethe have experienced a situation in which she had to once escape sweet home, a former slave home, to go on to live a free life. Instances of rebirth or birth occur with Denver and Beloved being brought into the world. At the time, being a slave was hard and even harder when one was pregnant; one would still receive constant abuse, and for Sethe, it was a difficult life. Beginning a new life with a family could have been the start for so, but they would have to escape their slave homes. Therefore, it is seen that the motif of water serves as a positive concept for the characters and their future.
At first, it is seen that Sethe, a black, female, pregnant slave who resides in sweet home, is under the care of a cruel man, schoolteacher, who
Baby Suggs could be viewed as an inspiration to the black community as she is aware of what slaves are going through. “She led Sethe to the keeping room and, by the light of a spirit lamp, bathed her in sections, starting with her face. Then, while waiting for another pan of heated water, she sat next to her and stitched cotton. Sethe dozed and woke to the washing of her hands and arms.” (Morrison, 109) The implication of Sethe’s face being bathed is that she is starting her life all over. The memories she has of being raped by schoolteacher’s nephews and constant abuse from schoolteacher are cleansed away by the water she is bathed with. The water in this context serves as a make-over for Sethe’s life, allowing her to move on from the past and to the