We can go into the end of time searching for that one moment that couldâve changed a lifeâs path. In “Beloved” by Toni Morrison one moment that couldâve changed the story was when Sethe met Amy Denver in the woods. If that moment didnât happen, if those two women didnât cross paths than 124 wouldâve been haunted by different ghosts. Amyâs arrival was pivotal to Sethe and her unborn childâs survival. Without her who knows what couldâve happened to Sethe in the dark woods, they couldâve been captured by hunters and eaten by snakes. Itâs not safe to be without protection in the woods. Amy brought Sethe back to life, she helped her in the most crucial time and helped her get stronger when Sethe needed to the most.
Sethe was tired and weak, she was knocking on deaths door. At the verge of having her child, she screamed and fortunately someone heard her. The scream stopped Amy Denver in her tracks, she heard the painful cry coming from a human. Being a white servant she knew the dangers and risks of helping a Negro. But that didnât stop her, she was loving and compassionate, we knew this from the way she spoke with her desired velvet and didnât once intend to report Sethe to the hunters for a reward. Sethe trusted her. (P 91. âSaid this girl talked a storm, but there wasnât no meanness around her mouthâ.) Even though she told her that she goes by the name Lu. Sethe had no idea what Amy spoke of, yet she liked hearing about the velvet it texture and different colors. It allowed Sethe to briefly forget the pain and imagine something else.
Amy Kept Sethe breathing and speaking as they continued to walk as far away from danger as they could. Sethe couldnât go much further (P93. âthe fire in her feet and fire on her back made her sweatâ) Amy wasnât going to let her die on her watch so she rubbed Setheâs swollen feet and aided her wounded back. Amy described the scar as a tree (P 93 âa chokecherry treeâ), Amy did the best she could to help soothe Setheâs pain.
Sethe knew it was time she couldnât go any further, she knew she was lucky that she had even made it as far as she already did. Sethe pushed out her baby, Amy grabbed the child wrapped her up in her skirt and the three had to move on to a somewhat safe place. Amy eventually departed she had to continue on her originally journey to Boston for her velvet. But before she left she told Sethe to remember her and tell her child the story of Amy Denver. Sethe was so grateful for Miss Amy Denver (P 100 âthatâs pretty. Denver. Real pretty.â) The name was so beautiful to Sethe that she named her daughter Denver after her. Sethe will never forget Amyâs sacrifice. She owes Amy her life.
Sethe finally made it safely to her destination with baby Denver. She was so filthy almost unrecognizable. Some time has passed since she last saw her family her 2 boys were growing and her baby girl was already crawling. She was happy and appreciative she was finally complete and a free slave. That young velvet loving white girl risked her own life to keep Sethe and her child alive even if it wouldâve been for one more day.
In conclusion without Amy Denver Setheâs survival wasnât guaranteed. Amy put her own life in danger helping a runaway slave. They couldâve been hunted and killed, Amyâs compassion kept them going. If Amy wouldâve ignored Setheâs cries or reported her for a reward, the ghost of 124 wouldâve been another. Some characters wouldâve died and others wouldâve survived with Miss Amy Denver. Thatâs just one moment we could continue looking for other moments that wouldâve or couldâve changed the story of “Beloved” by Toni Morrison. The moment of Amy Denver created a balance and kept a mother and child alive.
