Paul finding out about Sethe's past
Capitalism, Communism, and the Daltons
I thought the depictions of the Daltons and the communist party were very interesting. Knowing that Wright himself was a communist changes how I view the depiction of communism. Through Wright’s portrayal of Jan and Mary, he made quite the commentary on wealthy white communists. Jan and Mary seemed so oblivious and at times ignorant when talking to Bigger. They compared the treatment of African Americans to the treatment of communists, as if communists weren’t choosing that life. While “communism” was quite the buzz word at the time (I would say it still is) and there were real repercussions for being a part of the communist party, it was not anything like racism. They also claimed to be interested in helping African Americans through communism, but that is impossible when you have such little understanding of their problems. I think Wright must have been saying that while communism was the solution, the people leading the charge were exclusive and ignorant to the real issues in
I definitely agree that it was a messy situation. Seeing Paul D leave so quickly was initially upsetting just because we all thought he would be the most understanding, but it kind of 'weeded' him out of Sethe's life. Although it's difficult coming to terms with Sethe's actions, Paul D already knows that Sethe's love is very thick. I don't think it's on Stamp Paid for breaking them up because it's important for Paul D to know this information about Sethe.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what the situation was, Paul D should've known what Sethe did. I don't think it was Stamp's place to tell Paul D that Sethe killed her children, but the truth would have gotten out some way. Paul D finding out what Sethe did was beneficial to there relationship because if he didn't find out, then the guilt would've slowly gotten to Sethe even more and weighed down on her emotions. Ultimately, the longer it took for Paul D to find out, then the more damage Paul D and Sethe's relationship would take.
ReplyDeleteBeyond there being some practical side to Paul having access to this information (i.e. fears that Sethe could "do it again," which certainly have shaped Denver's experience as a child), isn't it clear that if these two people are going to have any kind of real relationship, it needs to be grounded in candor and honesty? Isn't this story an important part of Sethe's past that he needs to know in order to know and love (and forgive, and give grace to) her? There's also the social element--Paul doesn't know that everyone in town is talking about him behind his back, and Ella believes that he knows and is willingly aligning himself with Sethe. Stamp is, in a sense, doing Paul D a courtesy. But in the end, if the two of them are going to look toward the future, to make "plans," to "have a life," as Paul puts it, they need to come clean about all they've been through.
ReplyDeleteWhich probably means that, at some point soon, Paul needs to talk about Alfred, Georgia, and the rest of it.
the timing of Paul asking Sethe to have a child with him is awkward here. Paul asks that of Sethe shortly before realizing she's killed her child. I can only wonder the things going through his head about the child he wanted with her at that moment he realized... and am also relieved that the baby thing was just something he said to avoid telling her about his past (yet also a real thing he wanted so idkkkkk)
ReplyDeletepotentially unnecessary clarification - he could be thinking, she's already killed her child before... what if something were to happened and she just snapped and killed MY child
DeleteYeah, honestly, I can see both sides of the argument here and it's hard to tell who's in the right and who's in the wrong. I think that Stamp Paid probably didn't have the right to be the one to tell Paul D, but at the same time, I can't really blame him, because what Sethe did is an incredibly big deal and as her partner, Paul D should have definitely known about it. I also really liked your point that Sethe felt like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders--I agree, and I think it suggests that she wanted Paul D to know but was just scared of telling him.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I go back and forth on whether I think Paul D should know or not. I think I stand with people saying he deserves to know, but Sethe should have told him. Paul D, however, didn't have the right to judge her as much as he did initially. That's why I was very happy when he came back at the end of the novel.
ReplyDeleteI think that Paul D did need to know - he had been living in their house for months, and had, after all, known Sethe since she was a child. However I don't think that the main justification here is that Paul should be aware in case Sethe is still a danger. I think that there's more value to knowing the potential faults of a partner or really any person you're close to, even if they might not directly affect you or pose harm to you. I do agree that Stamp Paid should have told Sethe to tell Paul D rather than approaching him first, but Paul D did have to find out. However I understand why he felt that something had to be done and could have felt uncomfortable approaching Sethe again after all those years.
ReplyDeleteI actually think that Sethe potentially being a danger is biggest reason Paul D should know, mostly because Paul himself hasn't really set a precedent for disclosing information just for the sake of honesty. He's been pretty tight lipped about his own past, so why should Sethe tell him everything about her? It's reasonable to say you don't wanna talk about your past but in that case you shouldn't be a hypocrite and demand the other person does. So in my opinion she shouldn't have to disclose anything, except in cases like this, where the information has major bearing on his place in the community and potentially his safety.
DeleteI think I agree with you that Paul did need to know. That's just a major fact about the person he's living with, and also the community he's a part of. Ideally Sethe would have told him but if she was never going to, I don't blame Stamp Paid all that much for doing it, though he could have been more tactful about it and communicated with both parties. But imo the biggest reason Paul needed to know was because Sethe stood by her decision, meaning if they had a child together and for whatever reason the family was put in a situation similar to the one eighteen years ago, she might take that course of action again. And it's good to be aware of that possibility, however remote, before committing to them for your entire life.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your rambling! I agree that the whole situation is highly messy and complicated, and there's no real "right" or "wrong". I do think that it's a good thing, in the long run, that Paul learned about Sethe's actions, mainly because I can't imagine how everything would go down if Paul had somehow found out later, when he and Sethe were more firmly together and a part of each other's lives - it would have been even more devastating, I think, than it already was. But I do agree with your point that it should be Sethe to tell Paul D. I don't necessarily condemn Stamp Paid or anything for his actions, but I think he should have talked to Sethe first, maybe told her that she needed to tell Paul D, and that if she didn't, Stamp Paid would.
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