Beloved Lit Circle Meeting #3

Objectives:
● Discuss plot development, symbolism, and character development by using discussion
questions
● Examine close reading samples provided by the producer
● Thematic Development Chart
Discussion Questions
Plot Development
1. The significance of Baby Suggs being the “main character” in a few chapters? why the
author did the author suddenly give her chapters?(Page 159-180)
2. Paul D leaves the very same day he saw the newspaper clipping and goes to stay at the
town church. What does his departure entail? (Page 199)
3. Sethe, Beloved, and Denver all bond while skating. What does this say about their
relationship in the future? (Page 205)

Symbolism
1. What does the comparison between Paul D getting kicked out and the seasons changing
from summer to fall symbolize? (bottom of page 136)
2. What could “Red heart” mean? (Page 138)
3. What is the significance of the snow right after Paul D and Sethe have their little moment
walking to the city’s edge? (Page 152)
a. Later on the snow is also described as “Piling itself, burying itself. Higher.
Deeper” (Page 158)
4. What is symbolic of baby Denver drinking her mother's milk along with her sister’s
blood? (Page 179)
5. What’s notable about Sethe being described as a hawk snatching up her children? (Page
185)
a. Sethe then also says herself later “I flew. I snatched him just in time.” (Page 188)
6. Why does Paul D keep saying “this ain’t her mouth” (Page 181-186)

Character Development
1. Denver seems to become more and more addicted to Beloved, wanting to have her
attention all the time. Do you think this addiction is harmful to Denver? Or do you think
it will make her stronger? (Page 143)
2. Sethe figures out that Beloved is her deceased daughter. Will Sethe’s character change? If
so how will she change? (Page 207)
 Close Reading
Analyze the Seasonal Imagery

​That's the way I used to see them in my dreams, laughing, their short fat legs 

running up the hill. Now all I see is their backs walking down the railroad tracks. Away 

from me. Always away from me. But that day they was happy, running up and rolling 

down. It was early still-- the growing season had took hold but not much was up. I 

remember the peas still had flowers. The grass was long though, full of white buds and 

those tall red blossoms people call Diane and something there with the leastest little bit 

of blue---light, like a cornflower but pale, pale. Real pale. I maybe should have hurried 

because I left you back at the house in a basket in the yard. Away from where the 

chickens scratched but you never know. Anyway I took my time getting back but your 

brothers didn't have patience with me staring at flowers and sky every two or three 

steps. They ran on ahead and I let em. Something sweet lives in the air that time of 

year, and if the breeze is right, it's hard to stay indoors. When I got back I could hear 

Howard and Buglar laughing down by the quarters. I put my hoe down and cut across 

the side yard to get to you. The shade moved so by the time I got back the sun was 

shining right on you. 

 Thematic Development Chart
List reemerging themes and provide evidence (Quotes, Scenes, etc)

Theme Evidence