SLAVERY AND FREEDOM IN TONI MORRISON PARADISE AND BELOVED: A MARXIST APPROACH

Koledade, Bolanle Funmilayo

Abstract

The influence of politics and political issues on literature is central to Afro- American novels. Based on materialistic, exploitative and capitalistic purposes, Africans- American were product of slavery. The colonialist proved superior power over the colonized, thereby creating a kind of supremacy, through class stratifications. This paper aimed to reveal slavery and freedom in Toni Morrison‘s Paradise and Beloved using Marxist approach. This work shall use the Marxist theory to bring out the side effect of slavery to the black man psyche; hence there is urge and the need for freedom. From Marxist perspective there are three issues that indicate slavery in this story:  inequality, commoditization and alienation. This paper will therefore, concludes that despite years of slavery and racists the black man‘s resilience moulds his personality in such a way that he is not broken. The characters in the text develop strong and unique personalities to shield themselves from slavery, and the need for their freedom.