Construction Of Black Identity In Toni Morrison's Beloved

Toni Morrison(1931-),the first African American woman writer to have won the Nobel Prize for Literature,is widely acknowledged as one of the leading writers in America.Published in 1987,Beloved is Toni Morrison's fifth novel,which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988.In Beloved,on account of the influence of slavery,the blacks can't accustom themselves to the life in America,and they can't find their identities.In order to find better living conditions,they begin their journey of identity construction.Based on close textual reading,this thesis aims to analyze the process of constructing black identity in Beloved from three aspects: racial identity,gender identity and cultural identity.This thesis is composed of five parts.The first part gives a brief introduction to Toni Morrison and Beloved,deals with the identity and identity construction,and then focuses on the studies concerning Beloved at home and abroad.Chapter One talks about construction of black racial identity.This chapter firstly analyzes the reason for the racial identity crisis,and points out that animal-like situation and segmented situation of the family are major causes.Then,it discusses the awakening consciousness of the blacks.Lastly,it is pointed out that,with the help of the whites and the black community,the blacks integrate into American society and find their identities gradually.Chapter Two analyzes the process of constructing gender identity.Through recalling the past,the blacks try to find their identities as mothers,fathers,wives and husbands,and try to improve relationships with their family members.Chapter Three focuses on construction of black cultural identity.In the course of constructing cultural identity,the blacks try their best to maintain African culture,such as music and call-and-response.The last part is the Conclusion,which points out that although some of the blacks fail to construct their identities,their endeavors are meaningful.In this process,the blacks have achieved a clearer understanding of their identities and tried to start a new life.The blacks,since starting their life in America,have begun their journey of identity construction.They need to give up their African identities and to construct American identities.In this journey,they are confronted with many difficulties.These difficulties can't be solved in a short time,and there still be a long way for the blacks to go.