Abstract

As the fifth full-length novel of Toni Morrison, the novel Beloved has played a very important role in the history of contemporary American literature. The novel describes the indelible psychic trauma left by slavery to African American, especially black women. The paper analyzes the images of black women in the novel from the perspective of feminism and discusses the psychological journey of black women’ self-awareness from ignorance to awakening and finally self-construction. At the same time, the paper explores the roots behind the tragedies in the novel.

Key words: Beloved; images of black women; Feminism

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1 Introduction-1

2 The Long Road to Black Women’ Awakening-2

2.1 Baby Suggs: Unawakened Black woman-3

2.2 Sethe: Gradually Awaken Black Woman-5

2.3 Beloved: Incarnation of Black Women’s Painful Memories-6

2.4 Danver: Hope and Future of Black Woman-8

3 The Bondage of Black Women-10

3.1 The Hegemonic White Culture-10

3.2 The Distorted Soul of Black People-11

3.3 The Identity Crisis of Black Women-12

4 Conclusion-13

References-15