The Role of Beloved's Ghost in Toni Morrison's Exploration of Slavery in ‘Beloved’

Abstract

African American writers have exhibited a unique engagement with supernatural elements, particularly ghosts, not merely as conduits for Gothic themes, but as participants in an emerging genre known as the "story of cultural haunting." This study aims to explore the significance of Morrison's choice to employ a ghost as a medium to bridge past and present in her novel, "Beloved" (1987). Through this exploration, the research delves into Morrison's utilization of magical realism and the ghost's interactions with key characters like Sethe, Denver, and Paul D, as well as its ties to the African American community. The analysis highlights the dual impact of the ghost on both individual and collective levels. Specifically, it contends that Beloved's spectral presence embodies personal and communal histories, aligning with Morrison's conceptualization of the past. Moreover, the research examines how the ghost functions as a cultural agent, fostering the healing process for African Americans affected by the trauma of slavery.