The concept of ogbanje in "Beloved"

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

• The concept of ogbanje in Beloved
• Ogbanje: A Special Kind of Spirit Child
• Beloved: A Case Study
• Reincarnation
• Physical Appearance
• Emotional Detachment
• Motivation
• Conclusion

Objectives and Key Themes

This paper aims to investigate the extent to which the character of Beloved in Toni Morrison's novel "Beloved" can be classified as an ogbanje. The analysis will focus on the concept of reincarnation, character traits, physical appearance, and motivation, drawing on the religious beliefs of the Igbo people in Nigeria.

• The concept of ogbanje as a recurring spirit child in Igbo culture
• The character of Beloved in Toni Morrison's novel "Beloved"
• The connection between Beloved's characteristics and the definition of an ogbanje
• The role of reincarnation and motivation in shaping Beloved's actions
• The significance of ogbanje symbolism in understanding the themes of the novel

Chapter Summaries

• The first chapter introduces the concept of ogbanje and its prevalence in Western Africa, particularly in Nigeria. It highlights the key features of ogbanje, including their repeated deaths and births, weak bodies, emotional detachment, and motives of revenge and humiliation.
• The second chapter examines the character of Beloved in "Beloved" through the lens of ogbanje characteristics. It explores Beloved's appearance, particularly her emergence from the water, and its connection to reincarnation. It also analyzes her relationship with Sethe and the motivations behind her actions.
• The third chapter delves into the aspects of Beloved's character that align with the ogbanje archetype. It explores her emotional detachment, her obsession with Sethe, and her manipulative behavior towards other characters. It also examines the potential reasons behind her actions, including revenge and a desire to make Sethe feel responsible for her past.

Keywords

The main keywords and focus topics of this paper include the concept of ogbanje, reincarnation, spirit child, Igbo culture, Toni Morrison's "Beloved," character analysis, motivation, revenge, emotional detachment, and symbolism.

Details

• Note: 1,3
• Autor: Julian Hindriks (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2020
• Seiten: 5
• Katalognummer: V1372302
• ISBN (eBook): 9783346907608
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: Beloved Morrison ogbanje concept Anglistik Hausarbeit Anglistik Hausarbeit