Second Chance Sethe (RR2)

This was a really long confusing book. Before starting I didn't know much historical context when it came to slavery and post Civil War events. After reading this book through the new historic lens I feel I have much more knowledge of this time period in history. By being able to look deeper into historical events I got a better understanding of what the characters were going through at that time. Along with learning about the time period I was able to also research common events and crops that were sold back then. By digging deeper into harvesting of tobacco I learned a lot about who smoked it and how it was sold. Learning that the slaves didn't get paid to do work during the week days really shocked me. It was a really tough life being a slave and being forced to work. Sethe who had three children disliked being a slave so much that she actually killed her third born kid so that they would not have to suffer through it. In this book the theme of second chances is prominent for all of the characters. Although she killed her third born we see her come back into Sethe's life as a new character named Beloved. Sethe also gets a second chance when she thinks history is repeating itself with Mr. Bodwin coming up her walk way. Instead of killing her daughter like she did last time a bunch of white people came up her driveway she takes matters into her own hands and goes out to fight him. By Sethe redeeming herself to Beloved and sticking up for her Beloved finally leaves Sethe's house.

I don't usually like history when being taught in class. This book was able to engage me in a story about the history of what the African American population went through during the 1800's. Nowadays history textbooks are just filled with facts but there are no opinions or stories from the people who lived during this time. Stories are able to make you feel emotion to the people who experienced the event. I was able to feel anger and shock when big events happened in beloved. From analyzing in the new historic I now know much more about what the African American community had to go through.