Schoolteacher's perspective
Toni Morrison’s way to seamlessly switch from character to character allows her to create a novel that keeps the reader guessing and provides an unexpected view on a story. Her use of the Schoolteacher’s perspective created a freakish, but original stance on the story being told. In many of our books this year the main characters have been oppressed, but for the first time we, the readers, have been transported into the minds of the oppressors. In many books viewing a story from a character’s perspective can lead to a sympathy towards that character i.e. Native Son, but I see Morrison using Schoolteacher simply to tell the story in the clearest form possible.
Schoolteacher is a character that has proved to be unfazed by whatever is in front of them. The scene where Sethe is having her milk stolen by the boys has Schoolteacher simply recording his findings almost like an anthropologist. While Schoolteacher may be a very racist character Morrison has developed a trust among the readers and Schoolteacher that whatever he views and records is identical to what is happening in front of him. That’s why Morrison decides to use Schoolteacher as the one to tell the story, the reader knows that the story isn’t being warped by love, disgust, or desperation.
While I don’t believe that this story would be worse if the shed scene was written with the perspective of Sethe or Stamp Paid, it could have been dramatized. Besides the fact that having the clearest depiction of the scene possible through Schoolteacher, it allows Morrison to develop the persona of slave masters/workers at the time. The methodical and apathetic identity of Schoolteacher makes him much more frightening to the reader and, perhaps, dispels the idea that it was a thrilling game of cat and mouse but rather, a no-nonsense search to destroy the lives of Sethe and her children. I admire Morrison’s use of perspective to tell stories in their fullest way possible and I wonder what perspectives you’d like to see in the future.
I agree, the use of schoolteacher's perspective makes that chapter much more chilling, in my opinion, than it would have been if told from Sethe's perspective. Although I am unsure that the situation could truly be dramatized because what happened really was unimaginable. I also really liked what Solomia said in class, with this cold and logical narration in a way being the most accurate way of expressing the horrific-ness of the scene. Like, the transpiring events were just so terrible and heartbreaking that even Morrison couldn't put it into words-- the only way to really describe this moment was for her to simply lay out the facts and let us as readers just feel the raw emotion of the scene.
ReplyDeleteSchoolteacher's perspective could be used to eliminate confusion, like most of us felt when we first started reading the book. Schoolteacher's view is more of a standard literary tone of just stating events. This does not make any of his actions excusable, but it does make the accounts truthful. It even helps establish more of his character as a cold, calculating individual who sees no worth in African Americans other than as resources.
ReplyDeleteNice observation that out of all the books we've read this is the first with the oppressor's perspective. I think a lot of books could use that as a way to make the characters deeper and more complex and Morrison does a good job of using schoolteacher's perspective to her advantage. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteI think Schoolteacher's perspective lets us conclude from our own thoughts what's going through Sethe's mind as the scene happens. If it was written from Sethe's POV, Morrison would have to explicitly tell us what Sethe's thinking, the love she feels for her children, etc. But written from Schoolteacher's objective, factual POV, the job falls to us readers to find out how Sethe feels during the scene.
ReplyDeleteI think you raise a very interesting point. The story is told from school teacher's perspective and the reader always questions the legitimacy of the story teller. Although he is incredibly cruel and racist, like you said, he also is incredibly methodical regarding the truth. Therefore the reader has come to trust his point of view as very factual, and this gives Morrison the opportunity to relay the story somewhat directly.
ReplyDeleteI think that having schoolteacher's perspective is a great way to see the slave owner's point of view and what they see valuable in a slave, as you mention. Schoolteacher clearly wants a sane slave and people to do work, but when Sethe seems to lose sanity he sees her as not worthy of bringing back. Also when she injures the children, they are seen as not worth it either, due to be physically injured, but I believe they were now psychologically messed up from their mother trying to kill them. As you say, I think it is definitely an effective way to give a point of view that is free from emotions.
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