The Crux of Identity in Tony Morrison's Beloved

The present article is the result of an investigation into the crux of identity in Tony Morrison’s Beloved, and its objective is not only to study the nature of the crux, but also to consider the strategies hitherto theorized by Black feminist intellectuals in order to overcome the problem. These strategies are mainly deconstructive so as to facilitate overthrowing the logocentric principles. The logocenteric order constitutes the core of the enlightenment thought that for decades had deprived many minority groups of their identity and, hence, caused their subjugation. The result of such domination has been to dehumanize and, therefore, deprive many people of their identity while the so called dominant class gets constituted despite being a small portion of the society. Since many marginalized groups such as Black women of the laboring class exist at the intersection of identity, they experience oppression in its utmost intensity. It seems that the only way by which these marginalized groups can overcome oppression is through upholding the principles of the system that has caused their oppression. To demonstrate how Black women can jump outside the restrictions and prescriptions founded by the dominant class in order to overcome their oppression, Tony Morrison’s Beloved will be studied, keeping an eye on the strategies and tactics employed by the Black female characters of the novel.