Abstract: Beloved is the masterpiece of Toni Morrison, the famous Afro-American woman writer. This novel which was created in the 1980s vividly presents the miserable life of Afro-American when they suffer from slavery system and racial discrimination. In Beloved, Morrison states a story which is focused on the three generations of black women. Although in the face of all kinds of spiritual harm, they try to look for their self-consciousness. At first, Baby Suggs is aware of physical ownership. And then, Sethe is aware of self-identity. Finally, Denver gains her self-value. Through a progressive course, this thesis will show the black women’s self-consciousness in different times.

Key words: Beloved; Toni Morrison; black women; self-consciousness

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction.1

   1.1 A Brief Introduction to Beloved

   1.2 Literature Review

   1.3 A Brief Introduction to Women’s Self-Consciousness

2. The Awakening of Black Women’s Self-Consciousness in Beloved. 2

   2.1 The First Generation of Black Women: Baby Suggs—— being aware of physical ownership

   2.2 The Second Generation of Black Women: Sethe —— being aware of self-identity

   2.3 The Third Generation of Black Women: Denver—— being aware of self-value

3. Conclusion8

Bibliography.10

Acknowledgements11