Throughout Toni Morrison’s Beloved, the author characterizes Paul D as troubled when reliving

his post traumatic experiences, demonstrating the theme of rememory and its detrimental effects on the
human mind through the usage of symbolism in order to emphasize the effects of slavery and
juxtaposition to show the coping mechanisms utilized by those enslaved.
Morrison begins chapter ten with describing the horrific past experiences of Paul D from a third
person narrative. The scene had portrayed accounts of violent and controlling tactics used against those
enslaved during Paul D’s time at Sweet Home, demonstrating the extent to which the victims were
dehumanized. The inhumane practice of ‘gagging’ the men conveys the issue of dehumanization during
their time period, as the author recounts having “iron around his ankles” (125). This description was
highlighted in order to emphasize the cruel treatment of those enslaved, as they were viewed to pertain
animalistic behaviors and characteristics, thus being deserving on the chains holding them in captivity.
The past event of being held in chains had a traumatic effect on the character Paul D, as this memory is
seen to ‘haunt’ him throughout his life, showing the concept of rememory to be damaging to the mental
health of those affected. Paul D is described to have wanted to escape his history, however similar to his
previous physical chains and tangible ties used to bind him, instead his resurfacing memories act as the
‘chain’ preventing him from freeing himself. As Morrison emphasizes the gruesome past experiences, she
notes Paul D to later develop a “tobacco tin heart” as a result of his trauma. By describing his heart as
‘tin’, the author effectively portrays the previously alive and capable heart of the character to have been
turned cold. Morrison uses the word ‘tin’ to depict his heart as having been changed and potentially
rusted as Paul D had lived a torturous life and had been exposed to several hardships one should never
face. The character is shown to have adopted this rusted heart in order to prevent emotion from affecting
them once more, as this coping mechanism shows to have been the only preventative in dealing with the
horrors of the enslaved reality. Pride is associated with this tin heart, as Paul D is reluctant to let emotions
control him, and instead embrace his inability to feel and hurt. The author includes this symbolic concept
of the heart within the story to emphasize the extent of dehumanization during this time, as slaves had
found it essential to adopt a tin heart in order to face their realities, in a sense losing themselves and their
souls. As well, the slaves were described to have been placed in boxes that resembled a “cage” (125). The
author describes their environment as a ‘cage’ in order to compare the slaves to animals, as in their time
they were viewed as less than human.
Similarly, the author utilized juxtaposition in order to highlight the difference in essential coping
mechanisms used by victims to disregard their past memories. In describing Paul D’s escape from
captivity, Morrison depicts the journey as a gruesome yet uplifting escape from his past experiences
through the bonding of his community. In their journey, Paul D had encountered a Cherokee village who
had advised the enslaved to “follow the tree flowers” (132). The statement of ‘following flowers’
signifies the beginning of freedom for the victims, as the trees had pointed north. Within the north,
salvation had been a guarantee for the men, and this escape was shown to only be possible through the
valuing of community and the concept of working together against the common enemy. Morrison
includes the image of achieving freedom through community in order to portray the idea of ‘sticking
together’ as essential, which further shows the bond between African Americans during this era. This
creates a division between the white and black races, as the two are unable to understand one another, and
instead look within their own cultures for understanding. This escape of Paul D’s is juxtaposed with the
escape of Sethe, as instead trees are no longer symbolic of freedom due to the scar placed on her back
being representative of past trauma. Opposed to experiencing a journey encompassed with a sense of
community, Sethe had instead endured great hardships to achieve her salvation. As a result, an emphasis
of family is placed on Sethe, while Paul D is instead reluctant to have emotion, demonstrating the effect
of which past experiences have on one’s development.
In conclusion, the author characterizes Paul D to withhold trauma, demonstrating the theme of
rememory and its detrimental effects on the human mind by using symbolism and juxtaposition.