Reclaiming Space: A Postcolonial Ecocritical Analysis of Nature and Memory in Toni Morrison’s Beloved

Abstract

This article explores the multifaceted concept of space in Toni Morrison�s Beloved through a� postcolonial ecocritical lens, focusing on how natural and domestic spaces serve as sites of� memory, trauma, and healing for African American characters in the aftermath of slavery. The� study examines three key spaces�the Ohio River, Baby Suggs� Clearing, and the haunted house� at 124 Bluestone Road�as symbolic realms where the characters navigate their fractured� identities and confront the lingering ghosts of their past. The Ohio River emerges as a liminal� space of rebirth and emancipation, while the Clearing represents a communal sanctuary for� spiritual and emotional healing. The haunted house, on the other hand, embodies the inescapable� past, where the trauma of slavery continues to haunt the present. Through these spaces, Morrison� not only critiques the environmental and psychological scars of colonialism but also highlights� the resilience and agency of her characters as they seek to reclaim their histories and identities.� This article argues that Morrison�s portrayal of space in Beloved underscores the� interconnectedness of human and non-human worlds, offering a profound commentary on the� enduring impact of slavery and the possibility of redemption through nature and community.�