Explanation of Bibcial Allusions

The Beginning

The novel opens with this:

I will call them my people,

Which were not my people;

And her beloved,

Which was not beloved.

Romans 9:25

This reference comes from a book of the New Testament written by the apostle Paul. Before leaving for Rome, he sends a letter stating his beliefs. He discusses the nature of God's relationship with humanity.  He also raises the problem of the justice of God, power mixed with mercy, even if it leads to problems. This chapter, despite its examination of the evils on earth, ends on a note of reconciliation.  This allusion mainly refers to the closeness of the black community and how they had so much power over one another.  The fact that no one told Sethe of the horsemen show that, as a group there was a decision not to help Sethe and the power to change her life forever.

Loaves and Fish

This line is used to describe Baby Suggs' feast for the others in the community. This allusion comes from Matthew 15-16, Mark 6, and Luke 9. They all mention the miracle of Jesus feeding the thousands with 5 loaves of bread and two fish.  In the book, this shows how Baby Suggs tried to benefit all with what little she often had.

The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse

When Schoolteacher comes to get Sethe, Morrison describes the group as "four horsemen." The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are described in Revelation 6. The chapter tells of a scroll in God's right hand that is sealed with seven seals. When the first four of these seals are opened, four horsemen appear.

"And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering and to conquer.

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.And there went out another hourse that was red: and power was given him that sat thereon to take peace from the Earth, and that they should kill one another: and tehre was given unto him a great sword.

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

And when he had opened hte fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and beheld a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth." Revelation 6: 2-8

These four horsemen of both the Bible and Beloved bring about a change in the lives of others and share the characteristics described above.

Pride

Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

This verse form the book of Proverbs relates to the actions of the community after the feast by Baby Suggs. Although Baby Suggs was kind enough to let the whole community participate in the feast and celebration for her family, the community seemed to let pride get the best of them and revert to jealousy and despise. Much like the verse says, pride goes before destruction, and just as the community turned their back on Baby Suggs and her family, the destruction of the life and home she created followed.  This Biblical allusion also refers to how Sethe was not sorry for killing her oldest daughter and, instead, drove Paul D away and began to whither under Beloved's control.