Chapter 26 Journal Entry for Beloved

Chapter 26

44. Describe life inside 124 from Denver’s perspective after Sethe figures out who Beloved is. What seems to be happening?
    
45. How are the community of women presented, and how is their relationship to Sethe different now than it was earlier in the novel?
    
46. Compare the climactic scene in this chapter to the first climax in the story. What significance do you see in the similarities and differences? 
    

44) To Denver, life in 124 is ending. It is no longer a life, and like Howard and Buglar came to realize before her, she could not stay. After Sethe realizes who Beloved is, Beloved's existence begins to eat away at her. Sethe becomes later and later to work and is eventually fired, but as the food begins to run low, she gives it up for Beloved. The once adult, mothering statue that was Sethe begins to decay and in her place grows a beautiful, powerful, strong version of Beloved. To Denver, this must look like Beloved is finally killing her mother, the one thing Denver feared second to Beloved leaving her alone.

45) Earlier in the novel, the community is presented as hating on Sethe. They are presented to avoid 124, and treat Sethe and her respective family with disrespect and condescension. When Ella gathers the women, they are presented as a force to be reckoned with. they are not simply 30 some odd women, they are determined and supportive and willing. They are going to get this ghost out of the house and they will stay by Sethe's side if need be. This is greatly contrasted with the original portrayal as they are supportive and not avoiding her.

46) In my opinion, the first great climax in the story is the murder of the the crawling already? baby, or Beloved. This is different because in this time, the community is seen as shying away from 124, thinking them too lucky, and believing they are flaunting their wealth of happiness. In this scene, the community is seen as banding together to rid 124 of the ghost all together in order to save Sethe and Denver, and support them as part of the community.