Beloved: Chapter 9 Response

In chapter 9 issues of memory, rememory, and the past are brought up. Memories of Sethe are positive in this chapter and remind her of those whom she loved, "In the Clearing, Sethe found Baby's old preaching rock and remembered the smell of leaves simmering in the sun, thunderous feet and the shouts that ripped pods off the limbs of the chesnuts. With Baby Suggs' heart in charge, the people let go" (111). Sethe is reminded of Baby Suggs powerful impact on the community back when people used to come around to 124. She recalled Baby's days of preaching and many people gathered around for the same reason, to share their beliefs and just "let go" of their troubles. Because of the community feeling that Baby Suggs created, Sethe "...got through the waiting for Halle" (111). This memory reminded Sethe that whatever was presently having a negative impact on her life, she could get through it, just how she got through missing Halle. Rememories are brought up in Sethe's life as well, "She knew Paul D was adding something to her life-- something she wanted to count on but was scared to. Now he had added more: new pictures and old rememories that broke her heart" (112). Even though Sethe had gotten over Halle before, deep down she was scared to move on. Sethe needed the support that her husband could have offered but since he disappeared, Paul D stepped in as Sethe's support. The question on her mind was whether she would be able to move on or not. Sethe was "scared" because she didn't want what happened to Halle to happen to Paul D. She looked at the past in order to make decisions about the future. In her heart, ..."Sethe wanted Paul D. No matter what he told and knew, she wanted him in her life. More than commemorating Halle, that is what she had come to the Clearing to figure out, and now it was figured." (116). Sethe went to the Clearing in order to live her past, but while she was there she experienced memories that could determine her future. She knew Paul D was the one for her, however because of her memories of Halle, she did not know if she could fully depend that Paul D could carry her through just like the community carried her through the waiting for Halle before. "It was figured" meaning that Sethe embraced her decision to move on. She knew that she could because she had before when Baby Suggs was around to bring the community in, therefore she had hope she could do it again.