Morrison‘s Jazz and Beloved: Sense of Cultural Loss

Abstract

Toni Morrison, in Jazz and Beloved, exposes injustices, restlessness and loss felt by the Black people. She also tries to create the cultural identity of the Black community. Her characters, who feel themselves being victimized in White dominated society, struggle hard for new identity challenging the system of segregation and slavery. Both the protagonists Joe and Sethe in Jazz and Beloved, respectively express their repressed desires by killing Dorcas and Beloved due to fear, suspicion and frustration created by the White dominated society. Such situation leads to the loss of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness in African American cultural. Morrison does not lament only in such situation but she is also hopeful that a distinct identity will be created through music and art.