This paper demonstrates the Flashbulb Memory in Toni Morrison’s Beloved. The novel is written by the African American novelist Toni Morrison. The novelist portrays slavery in a very disgusting manner so as to touch the sentiments of the reader. Apart from slavery, the novel shows motherhood and memory through some tragic stories of various African American characters. The Flashbulb Memory occurs when someone experiences traumatic events and these events latter on come back to perturb memory and life. Through applying the theory, the paper aims at finding out how the traumatic experiences and shocks disrupt the characters’ memory especially the main characters like: Sethe, Denver, Paul D, and through flashbacks, the deceased Bubby Suggs. The novel is also analyzed in terms of mother’s passion towards her children and how the consequences of Sethe’s actions would occupy her life and causes mental disorders. The mother’s character would be analyzed to show whether she has the right to murder her own children or not. Her actions and behaviors are also examined and evaluated in terms of flashbulb memory when she exceeds the social boundaries and norms. The reappearance of the slaughtered daughter, Denver, represents the past and memory of Sethe that comes back to the present life.

Keywords— Slavery; Memory; Motherhood; African Americans; Flashbulb Memories.

DOI: http://doi.org/10.24086/ICLANGEDU2023/paper.941

Published Date: 01/06/2023