Subjectivity, Dialogicality And Unfinalizability

Beloved is one of the most important works by Toni Morrison and it manifests itself as a polyphonic novel in many aspects. This paper will present a study of Beloved from the perspective of the polyphonic novel theory which became widely known in Russia in the 1960s. This thesis will interpret the novel from the following aspects: first, the narrative approaches and its open ending. By the employment of the multiple points-of-view and the polyphonic narratives, Toni Morrison artistically represents the character's subjectivity and the dialogicality of the ideas, thereby makes her criticism on slavery more thoroughly and forcefully. The open ending of the novel brings with it multitude of significance and marks the unfinalizability of its contents and ideas, which provides the readers an open space to participate. Second, the language employment and the indeterminacy of Beloved, the heroine. The double-voiced discourse plays an important role in shaping the character's consciousness and personality. In addition, the various assumptions on Beloved's identities indicate the indeterminacy and unfinalizability featuring the hero of the polyphonic novel; third, the thematic matters of the novel, namely, the construction of the subjectivity and the dialogic equality, as well as the counterpoint in the themes. The thematic matters are the essential aspects of a polyphonic novel and deserve our attention and careful research.