Essay about slaverybel Impact of Slavery in Toni...

Impact of Slavery on the Individual Exposed in Beloved In her novel, Beloved, Toni Morrison conveys her strong feelings about slavery. One of the major themes throughout the book is the impact that slavery has on the individual. Morrison utilizes the characters Mr. Garner and Schoolteacher to illustrate how slavery affects everyone in a different way. Though Morrison portrays Mr. Garner as the more humane master, in actuality he is no different then Schoolteacher, because ultimately they are both slave owners. Morrison includes the character, Mr. Garner, to show that even if you allow your slaves to do certain activities, you are still a displeasing human being because you are a slave owner. Garner allowed†¦show more content†¦Schoolteacher believed it was his job to enforce order among these spoiled slaves and treat them how he felt slaves should be treated. The only way he concluded that this could be done was through violence and blatant disrespect. The character, Paul D., worked as a slave under both Mr. Garner and Schoolteacher, and although they treated him differently, the final outcome was the same. Paul D. acknowledged that Garner called his slaves men, but only on Sweet Home, and by his leave ( Morrison, 220). Paul D. did not need some white master telling him who was a man or not, he knew for himself. But as soon as Schoolteacher came , any confidence Paul D. had, vanished. Paul D. came to believe he was worthless due to his captivity, as described in a scene about a rooster called Mister. Paul D. replayed that scene for Sethe, saying, Mister, he looked so...free. Better than me. Stronger, tougher....Mister was allowed to be and stay what he was. But I wasnt allowed to be and stay what I was...no way Id ever be Paul D. again...Schoolteacher changed me. I was something else...less than a chicken (Morrison, 72). Paul D. said it himself, slavery changed him into something lower then an animal, and he would never be the same again. Paul D. knew he was a slave under Garner, but it took the actions of Schoolteacher for him to realize how bad of a person