Rewriting

Polytropic Identities

in the Postmodern African American Novel

Chapter IV

“Claiming Ownership of That Freed Self”

Remembering the Unspeakable in Toni Morrison’s

Beloved

[I]f all the ramifications that the term [race] demands are taken seriously, the bases of Western civilization will require re-thinking. Thus, in spite of its implicit and explicit acknowledgement, “race” is still a virtually unspeakable thing (Morrison 1989, 9).

When Sethe locked the door the women inside were free at last to be what they liked, see whatever they saw and say whatever was on their minds. Almost. Mixed in with the voices surrounding the house, recognizable but undecipherable to Stamp Paid, were the thoughts of the women of 124, unspeakable thoughts, unspoken (Morrison 1989, 13).

“The Unflinching Gaze:” Denying Monolithic Definitions

White Literacy as Dis-Membering: “This Ain’t Her Mouth”

Douglass’ and Jacobs’ Silences: “The Veil Withdrawn”

“Ceremonies of Proper Burial:” Storytelling as Re-Membering

“Overdetermined from Without:” Sethe, Eliza, and Cassy

An Emblematic (Non)Presence: “The Return of the Repressed”

“An Act of Willed Creation:” Exorcising Past Images