Dehumanization in Beloved

      Today in class, we discussed study guide question two, for Beloved. Dehumanization- (n.) the deprivation of human qualities or attributes; divest of individuality. There were many ways in which the slaves were dehumanized. For example, Paul D was  given a bit in his mouth to prevent him from talking. Similarly, animals are harnessed. The incident with the Pauls and the cows reflects the fact that they feel they're the same worth as animals. Because they weren't allowed to have human relationships, they resort to this. In the chain gang, the slaves were forced to do things against their will. Schoolteacher measured his slaves by putting their animal-like features on the left. The 'lowest yet" de-humanized Ella.And their names reflect their lack of identity-having more than one Paul. When Stamp Paid's wife, Vashti, returned to him after serving a white man, he killed her. This is why he changed his name from Joshua to Stamp Paid, because he was metaphorically like a stamp that's been paid and done with. They were described as animal-like as well: Baby Suggs walked like a three-legged dog. Emasculate- (v.) to deprive of strength or vigor; to take away a man's masculinity. Male slaves were emasculated several times. For example, Paul D and the chain gang were forced to do whatever the guards wanted done. They were tied together and weren't able to do what men were expected to do in society- provide for their family. Slaves couldn't even marry. De-feminize- (v.) to take away feminine qualities. Women were de-feminized, like Sethe, who had her milk stolen by schoolteacher's nephews. That was her way of caring for children, of being a mother. But that role was taken away. To pay for Beloved's gravestone, Sethe had to lose her innocence.