Beloved Social Construction

Words: 1057
Pages: 5
Open Document
The socially constructed views of the self, found in Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved, shapes gender identity and exposes hardships characters face associated with these views. A social construction approach to gender and sexuality would examine the behaviours, ideologies and subjective meanings within human groups, who are assimilated and mediated by culture (Vance 6). A predominant social construct found in Beloved is race. Race is used by members of society to group and classify individuals. In Morrison’s novel, readers are exposed to the racial hierarchy of Whites dominating Blacks. Beloved is rooted in themes of slavery and white supremacy (another social construct used to dehumanize colored people and rationalize their slavery). Sethe …show more content…
Sexuality and gender are recognized as distinct systems which intersect at many points, where everyone has a biological sexuality, and this system turns sexuality into a cultural product (2). The heteronormative society in Beloved contains two binaries of gender, the male and the female dichotomies. Socially constructed, the male is to be masculine, strong, superior to and have desires for women, and the female is to be feminine, dependent, inferior to and have desires for men. In the novel, Paul D becomes lovers with Sethe – as she provides him with stability and allows him to come to terms with his past, however, he becomes more distant from Sethe as Beloved grows closer and his fantasy begins to fall apart. In Paul D’s attempt to gain back control of the family and regain his dominance, he tries to impregnate Sethe (124). This act conveys how the socially inclined notion of males being the dominant figures in households, are deeply rooted in members of society. The prevailing force (Beloved) threatened his masculinity – by dominating the household, and his fear of unmanliness resulted in him leaving. The sex/gender system describes that one’s sexuality has to do something for society and if it does not then they must be ashamed of themselves and this is exactly what …show more content…
Garner has with another white slave owner he states, “Y'all got boys…Young boys, old boys, picky boys, stroppin boys. Now at Sweet Home, my niggers is men every one of em. Bought em thataway, raised em thataway. Men every one” however, the other slave owner proclaims that “ain’t no nigger men” (12). It has been socially constructed for the white male slave owner to believe that black slaves are not real men (they do not belong to the male binary). This is because with racialization, black individuals are dehumanized and it is unfathomable to classify both white males and black slaves as men. Relating to the notion of an individual having multiple identities, male slaves face great hardships (abuse, cruelty, death, otherness, etc.) due to society’s belief that they are just slaves and not men. These slaves are perceived by society as animals and their abilities to create their own identities are repressed by the
Show More

Related Documents: Beloved Social Construction

Segregation In The 1950's

Louis was accepted as an urban center of Missouri. There were massive transportation systems that gave it the upper hand. As part of a great American urban system, it was dependent on communications networks. Urban renewal programs and freeway construction led to the destruction of many buildings and entire neighborhoods. In the 1950s, downtown was where everything took place. Many…

Words 1373 - Pages 6

Examples Of Racism In Canada

It is no secret that racism has run Canadian society, and most other countries, in its legislative, justice and policing functions. Racism has evolved from outright slavery, to a race based social hierarchy, to racist policing practices and finally, to codified forms of racism that run the fundamental functions of Canada. The aforementioned example demonstrates how, even in a progressive and educated society, racism can re-establish itself in an aggressive, and yet accepted, form. This is because…

Words 1579 - Pages 7

Essay about America’s Religious History

AMERICA’S RELIGIOUS HISTORY Roderick Breem GOVT 329 June 13, 2013 Abstract America is a nation made up of many religions. It does not have an official religion per…

Words 1230 - Pages 5

Essay on Ghost Map

Mainly, Johnson wrote this book to prove that one week in 1954 was one of the defining moments in what people today know as modern life. First, he proved that the first fateful week of September ultimately influenced the way cities organized themselves. Second, he proved that the events of the Broad Street Outbreak changed how disease was studied and viewed. Third, he proved that urban intelligence could come to understand a massive health crisis of which most people refused to see the truth. Ultimately…

Words 1546 - Pages 7

Constructing a Stadium Essay

Joe Walker SPML 6010 Assignment 3 August 11, 2013 Constructing a Stadium Sports are the one of the best things that we have in this world. It’s something that everyone can enjoy no matter your age or race. We as fans have become so invested into our favorite teams and players that if they lose then all of a sudden were having a bad day. There are many reasons as to why our favorite athletes perform the way they do. The main reason is that they have God given talent and the other is that they train…

Words 1299 - Pages 6

A Reflection of Jane Austen Essay

inspired and influenced this amazing author. A great deal can be learned from Austen’s writing, about not only her family and daily life but how women lived in the 1800s. Readers can examine the customs and etiquette of the people of her time and the social and economic context in which her books were written. In her books most of all the characters she brought to life are inspired by relationships she had, which is made evident in her personal letters to or from these acquaintances. A closer look into…

Words 1849 - Pages 8

Liberal Redneck

broader social and cultural affiliations. “Redneck”, a term that is associated with Southern culture, often carries a subtext of working-class identity, with a rural upbringing and keeping up with traditional values. However, historical, social, and economic factors have influenced the shaping of these categories, which ultimately have an impact on an individual’s experiences and perspectives. Liberalism and conservative rednecks are not just sets of political beliefs, but also encompasses social attitudes…

Words 2272 - Pages 10

Essay about Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece: People and Events Will Belanger Minoans: The Minoans were the inhabitants of ancient Crete. The Minoans were an early part of the Bronze era which was 3000 BC to 1100 BC. They used and essentially began with the linear writing system which eventually led in Greek as their writing style, a language which has yet to be deciphered but may believe that it represents a form of early Greek writing. It was used for religious and accounting purposes from about 1800-1450 BC. Soon after…

Words 2402 - Pages 10

Essay about PYT 337report

very big challenge, so the threat of new entrants is low. Overall Starbucks competitiveness is very strong in China. Starbucks successfully connects the coffee and communication, and to provide customers with a place to chat, which is particularly beloved by white-collar workers and students. Starbucks offers elegant lounge space and office space to the customer, so that customers can make a cup of coffee when they want to do anything. Starbucks in China market, the perfect blend of Chinese local culture…

Words 4787 - Pages 20

Summary: Gambling In Tampa

new comers has help the city to changed and grow, triggering a Multibillion-dollar construction and improvement along many sectors that blend in together old Tampa with its new dynamic new structures…

Words 2197 - Pages 9