Beloved

It seems that the characters as a whole suffer from a lack of
communication. This lack of communication doesn't necessary limit
their power in their individual positions but it does seem to limit
their ability to enjoy living. Denver's lack of communication with
anyone outside of 124 limits her existence to only 124 and as such she
doesn't enjoy hearing stories of the world beyond her. Even in 124 she
rarely expresses her feelings, such as, her fear of her mother and her
intense loneliness, particularly after Paul D banishes the ghost from
the house. Ultimately, when she overcomes this failure to communicate
at the end of the book, she becomes a happier and a more empowered
person. She is allowed to be part of the community and entering it was
easy as asking for help. Paul D and Sethe suffer from a problem of
having so much they don't share that they are forced to carry all of
the burdens that come with constantly remembering their lives. Sethe
lives with constant guilt over her actions even though she believes
she did the right thing. When she is given the opportunity to
literally atone for her actions, by following Beloved's every whim,
she diminishes. In a way she is sharing her feelings, but they are the
wrong ones. She shares her rationale for her acts rather than her
actual feelings over the years and refuses to consider letting Beloved
forgive her by riling her up if she’s calmed down. Ultimately, once
Beloved has left, Sethe is able to share her belief that the best
thing in her life is Beloved when really, as Paul D points out, it’s
herself. This is actually a turning point for both characters. It’s
Sethe’s chance to finally begin living for herself and taking
ownership of herself, and it’s Paul D’s turning point for being honest
with Sethe. Prior to this event Paul D couldn’t tell Sethe about
Beloved or understand her actions in regards to her. This last
described communication is what allowed them to move on and make a
future together. Their communication empowered them just as it did
Denver to lead a happier life.