Add to the discussions.

You must contribute to our discussion forum at least five times with pertinent, relevant, interesting, and/or poignant contributions of at least 100 words each.  If you cannot do that many words per response, please add to more discussions.  You will get more points if your discussion links to research and resources.  You may contribute the the discussions I have started on our Ning site, or you may create your own discussions, as long as they relate to Beloved.

Beloved 3-20 - What is this story about?  Find three sentences from the reading that support your answer.

Beloved 21-45 - We had some questions about the differences in the names and characters: Grandma Baby, Baby Suggs and another (unnamed?) baby.  First explain who all the babies are.  What is Denver talking about when she says, "Well, I think the baby got plans" (p 39)?  Is this foreshadowing?

Beloved 46-60 - Denver, Sethe and Paul D go to the fair.  On their way home, they encounter a woman in the yard.  Who is it?  Make sure you use evidence from the text to support your answer.  (Also, try to explain her odd behavior.)

Beloved 61-90 - In this part of the book, several characters tell each other a story.  Make a short list or briefly summarize the stories told.  Next tell a short story of your own--something you may have heard about your own birth or remember from your own childhood.  Explain why people like to tell stories about themselves to other people.   

Beloved 91-111 - In this part of the story, Sethe decides she is going to “lay it all down.”  She goes to the Clearing, where Baby Suggs , holy, used to preach for the people. Explain what it means to “lay it all down” and why she chooses to do this at the clearing.  Now try to determine who and why something (someone?) chokes her in this scene.

Beloved 112-130 - Explain what you think is happening in the scene with Paul D and Beloved on pages 120-123. Try to suggest what might motivate Beloved’s actions in this part of the story.  Should these episodes be read literally?  Was Paul D sleeping when this incident occurred? 

Beloved 131-141 - Explain why Paul D tells Sethe that he wants her pregnant.  What does Sethe think motivates Paul D's desire for a child? Does she reciprocate his feelings?  Is there any connection to Beloved’s losing a tooth in the next chapter?

Beloved 142-155 - This chapter reveals Baby Suggs' feelings after she is freed from slavery.  Imagine, if you can, what it would feel like to have her life--to have almost all of your children taken away, among other things.  She seems finally to be at peace, but standing in her garden, she feels a dark and coming thing.  What is this sense of foreboding?

Beloved 156-174 – You have read three accounts of what happened to the crawling-already? baby—the unspecified narrator’s version, Stamp Paid’s account of the story and Sethe’s explanation of the event.  In your own words, tell what happened. Try to take a side in this situation.  Judge Sethe’s actions and others’ reactions to what has transpired.

Beloved 177-209 - Do you think Stamp Paid did the right thing when he showed Paul D the newspaper clipping?  Explain what you would do if you were in his position.  Compare and contrast your feelings with Stamp Paid's reflections and actions throughout this reading after this narration.  Does he feel guilty about telling Paul D?  How do other characters feel about Paul D?     

Beloved 210-228 – Your reading ends with the repetition of the phase “You are mine” repeated three times.  Who says these words?  Look back into the last four chapters and explain the way each of these characters explains what is hers and why she feels that way.   Is it confusing or helpful when the point of view switches within the text?  Explain.

Beloved 229-247– Explain what the narrator means when referring to Paul D's tobacco tin.  What was inside it?  On pages 234-5, what are all the "Buts" about?

Beloved 251-276– Explain what Denver is doing in the early part of your reading.  Is it easy for her?   Describe some of the encounters she has with other people.   How does this change the story? 

Beloved 277-290– Explain your feelings about Paul D's return.  How do you feel this relationship will work after all the have been through?  Look at page 288.  "Sethe," he says, "me and you, we got more yesterday than anybody.  We need some kind of tomorrow."  Discuss the hope Paul D has for their future.