Trauma- Responding and Reflecting

Beloved is a complex book with many levels of depth that are intense examples of human nature. In the book all of the characters have experienced trauma, including Denver who has been isolated from society due to the haunting of 124. One psychological state that is explored is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Sethe experiences flashbacks such as the time when she imagines being at 124 right before Paul D showed up. Throughout the book, Sethe is haunted by her past. I myself am haunted by my past. I know a lot of people who have past traumas, and I have studied PTSD in the past. Sethe shuts down and shuts the world out, not moving houses, allowing herself to be isolated. Sethe’s memories also come in fragments while some events come in clear and detailed. An example of this is when she talks about seeing the butter on Halle’s face, revisiting the memory multiple times, feeling the same emotions in this moment as she did in the past which is a part of PTSD. I have experienced this before having very limited recollection as to certain memories from my past, and memories that are intensely clear. Trauma causes the brain to block out memories as a coping mechanism that the individual is not in control of. Another thing that is relate able, is using work to put your frustrations into. When Paul D was a slave in a prison camp he found himself putting his frustrations into his work. He talked of imagining beating his owners as well as the people who cared for him. He feels guilty for the people who care for him because him being in pain hurts them. I personally have hurt people I love, when I am in pain. I focus my frustrations and anxiety into activities and work especially fighting which is very physical. I believe people inherently have tendencies to deal with their emotions physically instead of sitting with them. The physical world is easier understood than emotions. This is the reason people obsess over working out and part of the reason people fight for sport. Physical coping mechanisms are one of the most common solutions to emotional pain. This can be either positive and healthy, or detrimental to the individuals health. Paul D had no choice but to work, but he put his pain into the physical motions he did.  When parental figures or friends worry about you it is hard not to feel guilt ironically for feeling pain.

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