“Sethe lay on her back, her head turned from him. out of the corner of his eye, Paul D saw the float of her breasts and disliked it, the spread-away, flat roundness of them that he could definitely live without, never mind that downstairs he had held them as though they were the most expensive part of himself. And the wrought-iron maze he had explored in the kitchen like a gold miner pawing through pay dirt was in fact a revolting clump of scars. Not a tree, as she said (25).” -Beloved
In the quote above, Sethe and Paul D just had their first sexual encounter. Just a few minutes before this, Paul D looked at Sethe as if she’s the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. He caressed and kissed the scars on her back that Sethe was once told was in the figure of a tree. In this passage, Paul D doesn’t see Sethe the same way he did just a few minutes prior to their sexual encounter. For over 18 years, Paul D has wanted to be with Sethe. Unfortunately for him, Sethe never showed signs that she wanted him and instead she married Halle. Now 18 years later, Sethe is a single mother and Paul D see’s his chance again.
Paul D finally got what he had wanted for over 18 years, to be intimately involved with Sethe. After Paul D got what he wanted from Sethe, he decided he was no longer interested in her. Following their sexual encounter, Paul D “disliked” Sethe’s body. He decided he could “definitely live without” her because he expected more from her. From this quote, I feel as if Paul D had high hopes on the intimacy between him and Sethe, but the sexual encounter was way below his expectations so now, he wants no part of it because he was let down by her. The author also expresses Paul D’s feelings by saying that Sethe’s breasts were the “most expensive part of himself.” By referring Sethe’s breast as a part of “himself,” I believe that the author is implying that Paul D see’s Sethe as if she belongs to him.
Overall, my general perspective using the feminist lens, is that Sethe is portrayed as an object that Paul D has always wanted, but after finally having her, he felt dissatisfied with what he got and wanted nothing more to do with her. This can be seen as an example of how women were portrayed during this time. Woman were seen more as desired objects than actual respected humans.
How does this representation of women affect how Paul D treats Sethe? Does her physical appearance change how he interacts with her?
ReplyDeleteHow does this representation of women affect how Paul D treats Sethe? Does her physical appearance change how he interacts with her?
ReplyDeleteI love this! So relevant. Its interesting how Paul D is objectifying, and disregarding Seth and her weathered body, when its the body that worked tirelessly to stay alive, keep herself alive, and bring her to the point where she is with Paul D.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this part of the book, I had not thought of it the way you did. It's interesting to read what you said about him seeing her as an object like all other slaves are seen as well. I am able to see that now. I am excited to read more about your interpretations through the feminist lens.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this section over and over, then reading this blog, I had not seen how deeply the dislike of Sethe was actually shown by Paul D. By using the word object, I see the book and Paul D in a different way, that I had not before, I see it as really interesting in to see how this lens helps show that.
ReplyDeleteSince I am reading through the psychoanalytic lens I haven't put as much thought into how women are treated as objects in this book, like you explain Sethe has been. This really opened up my eyes to Paul D's true intentions. This also shows me that it was considered normal for women to be treated as objects, which is disappointing. Thank you for your post, I look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteThis part of the book is very explicit, and hard to really imagine since we live in a time where Women have more respect. However nice job putting yourself out there and explaining how females were nothing more than objects before. Nice Job!
ReplyDeleteI like the connection that you created with their past and their present! I saw this a whole different way and reading your blog has allowed me to see this as a different and long waited relationship.
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