African-American Identity in Toni Morrison’s Beloved (1987)

This paper aims to examine the African-American identity in Toni Morrison’s Beloved (1987). The novel emphasizes painful aspects of slavery such as sexual abuse and violence explores effects institution on character’s identity. also addresses what it means have a name be free. does not believe individuality. Naming is significant since identifies character. An analysis will studied characters written their own stories they are historically deprived humanity language, major constituent personal fellow slaves’ history. Therefore, character looks at past he/she longs for sense self. Moreover, African slave prohibited from being himself/herself or belonging family. In this kind institution, doubts essential his identity, value an individual source manhood. Even after emancipation, feels that he has no alienated After freed, try reclaim identities. rename themselves way can now become ‘definer’ ‘defined’: specific examples references drawn narrative. white founders commit acts raping, attack one’s freedom, stealing stripping slave’s belongings possessions, including name.