Revealing/Reflecting Lorenzo Fernandez

Beloved’s entrance into the novel begins with Sethe’s explanation of her use of prostitution to engrave a headstone for her deceased baby, as mention in my previous blog. Morrison illustrates a “fully dressed woman” walking “ out of the water” and resting on a tree trunk for a couple of days while “sopping wet”(60). Although mysterious, the water represents the unknown because “nobody saw her emerge” and they hesitates from interacting with her(60). The strange woman who is later introduced as Beloved, but not directly correlated with the deceased baby yet, is invited to stay at 124. Being “thirsty” for water, Denver offers her water and she “gulped water… as though she had crossed a desert”(63). Because Beloved does not “use a last name” and arises mysteriously, it is clear that the strange woman is associated with the deceased baby in some way. 
Due to people leave 124 because of Sethe’s haunting baby, the woman Beloved represents the physical spirit of the future Beloved, if she had not died. Many African Americans during this time period of slavery and lower class people depended upon the spiritual world more. Beloved’s “quiet devotion” to Sethe is like that of a curious child seeking attention. Because Beloved is Sethe’s daughter, Sethe feels open enough to bring up her “past life” even though it “hurt”(69). Questioning the absence of Sethe’s “diamonds”, Beloved knowledge of her past possessions suggest a connection to Sethe that is very deep for Beloved’s “thirst of hearing” about Sethe and receiving love from her. Sethe and Beloved’s desire for family and eachother’s love is amused with their interactions and remembrance of the past. Beloved plays with Denver as though she is her sister and makes her “heart” feel like “traveler who had made it home” because Beloved had been “left behind”(66,88). Former slaves depended upon family because of the discrimination from the white people and found happiness through connections with their loved ones, dead or alive.