Neo Slave Novel - Primary Sources

Finding primary sources was a lot easier and a lot less stressful than finding secondary sources. Thanks to Professor Morgan, an English professor who's classes focus on African American literature, culture and political/social movements, I was able to find some really awesome primary sources. Because Professor Morgan is an expert in the field of African American literature, I trusted her opinion on what she claims are the most important and accurate examples of neo slave novels. She named Kindred, Beloved, and Dessa Rose. I was excited to hear these three titles because I had actually encountered them during my search for secondary sources. Additionally, I'm actually already reading Beloved for another English class I'm taking right now so it has been fun to view it in the context of this classroom and also in my other class in which we are focusing on gender and sexuality.

Although both Kindred and Dessa Rose seem like incredible examples of neo slave novels, I want to share with you all the plot of Beloved since I've already read most of it and am able to truly understand how it fits into this genre. Being able to apply all of the knowledge I learned through my secondary sources to this novel has been really cool.

Beloved is a neo slave novel that is based on the true story of former American slave, Margaret Garner, who is famous/infamous for killing her own daughter instead of allowing her to be returned to slavery. The main characters include: Sethe, the protagonist, represents Margaret Garner, Denver is Sethe’s 18-year-old daughter and Paul D is another slave who used to live on the same plantation as Sethe. The novel begins in the present time (1873) In Cincinnati, Ohio, a free state; however, the narration continuously switches from this plantation in Ohio to their former plantation in Kentucky 20 years before. The ghost of Beloved, Sethe’s dead daughter, haunts the house that she and Denver live in. Over time, Beloved becomes intensely obsessed with Sethe, Denver becomes attached to Beloved, and Paul D and Beloved hate each other. The tensions surrounding these relationships becomes too much and eventually Beloved runs away, Sethe goes insane, Denver leaves the house, and Paul D confesses his love to Sethe.

This novel digs deep into what it meant to be a slave and how that experience destroyed slaves’ identity, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. To do this, Toni Morrison had to make the story pretty graphic and she does so effectively. I'll be honest, it's not an easy or comfortable read. There is vivid description about rape and violence, including a beating of a pregnant slave. Although reading these things is disturbing, the fact that Morrison rights about them so effectively is the reason this novel is so successful, especially within its genre. It gives an accurate portrayal of what life was like during this time period. Additionally, it also embodies the science fiction aspect of the neo slave novel. In Beloved the story revolves around Sethe’s baby’s ghost, something that is clearly fictionalized but adds many layers to the plot and allows it to function effectively. This aspect of time travel allows readers to understand the strong connections between slavery and the legacy it has left in the present day. Finally, this novel is a great example for this genre because Morrison uses Margaret Garner’s true story and adds in the bits and pieces she feels necessary to give an accurate representation of slavery. It is one of the most classic and most well known--and for good reason. I would definitely encourage you guys to give it a read if you haven't already.