Toni Morrison died in 2019. But her literary legacy remains. The novel Beloved can be considered as a remarkable stepstone in her biography while it still, more than 20 years after being published, offers references and perspectives on the history and development of America. As a matter of authenticity Morrison used in her “American masterpiece” (Byatt) also elements that can be traced back to her early ancestors in Africa. The character of Beloved, who serves as a driving force in the novel, is to be analysed in this paper. Therefore, the investigation will focus on the question to what extent Beloved can be called an ogbanje.
The phenomenon of ogbanje as a special kind of spirit child concept is widely common in Western Africa. Especially in Nigeria this “myth of fate” (Achebe) is largely spread and this density is also depicted in many Nigerian books. While the concept varies in certain aspects depending on the country or the region, there are some criteria that are common. These criteria are the base of the application to the character of Beloved in the later following analysis.
Table of Contents
1. The concept of ogbanje in Beloved
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores whether the character of Beloved in Toni Morrison's novel constitutes an ogbanje—a spirit child from Igbo mythology who repeatedly dies and is reborn—by analyzing her physical traits, behavior, and motivations in relation to the novel's text.
- The mythological concept of the ogbanje in Western Africa.
- Textual evidence of reincarnation regarding the character of Beloved.
- Analysis of Beloved's physical appearance versus traditional ogbanje symptoms.
- The psychological and emotional motivations of Beloved, including themes of revenge and guilt.
Excerpt from the Book
The concept of ogbanje in Beloved
Ogbanje is an Igbo (Nigeria) expression meaning a repeater or one who comes and goes. [..] It is a term commonly used to describe a child or adolescent that is said to repeatedly die and be repeatedly born by the same mother. The child is said to die before the next one is born in serial sequence. (Ilechukwu, 239)
Based on that aspect of reincarnation other traits allow a more precise definition of the term. Physically this kind of ogbanjes are characterized by being born with weak bodies and with “a bag of diseases.” (Nzewi, 1404) Furthermore, malevolent ogbanje tend to be emotionally detached, withdrawn and in many cases introverted. Their motives are revenge and parental humiliation. (1405)
Summary of Chapters
1. The concept of ogbanje in Beloved: This section introduces the research focus, provides a definition of the ogbanje phenomenon, and analyzes the character of Beloved through the lenses of reincarnation, physical appearance, and character motivation.
Keywords
Beloved, Toni Morrison, Ogbanje, Igbo mythology, Literature, Reincarnation, Spirit child, Nigeria, Revenge, Guilt, Sethe, African American Literature, Mythology, Character analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines the character of Beloved from Toni Morrison's novel to determine if she fits the traditional definition of an ogbanje, an "evil" spirit child from Nigerian folklore.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The central themes include the concept of reincarnation, the role of cultural mythology in Western literature, familial revenge, maternal guilt, and the psychological complexity of the character Beloved.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to analyze the extent to which the character of Beloved can be classified as an ogbanje by comparing textual evidence from the novel with established criteria of the Igbo concept.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The paper employs a qualitative, text-based literary analysis, referencing specific passages and events from the novel Beloved and cross-referencing them with academic definitions of ogbanje.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The body analyzes the fundamental aspect of reincarnation, critiques whether Beloved's physical condition fits the "weak body" profile of an ogbanje, and discusses her emotional detachment and vengeful temperament.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Keywords include Beloved, Ogbanje, Reincarnation, Toni Morrison, Igbo mythology, and revenge.
Does the author conclude that Beloved is definitely an ogbanje?
The author identifies that while many symptoms like the cycle of reincarnation match, some aspects (such as her physical health) do not fully align, leading to a nuanced interpretation rather than a absolute confirmation.
How does the author interpret Beloved's motivation?
The motivation is interpreted primarily as mother-oriented revenge directed at Sethe, specifically meant to evoke memories of the past and force Sethe to confront her guilt.
Why does the target audience for this paper exist?
The paper is intended for readers and scholars interested in post-colonial literature, the intersection of African folklore and American fiction, and deep character analysis within magic realism.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Julian Hindriks (Autor:in), 2020, The concept of ogbanje in "Beloved", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1372302
