Baby Suggs lives a traumatic, yet blessed life, in Beloved by Toni Morrison. Baby has her children taken from her and sold, cannot stop working after giving birth or being injured, but tries to see the goodness and holiness in her situation. As a black woman in 1873 Baby’s circumstances were beyond her control, as is seen in the way that she is treated and how she makes her choices.
Baby is born and raised as a slave and this is the only life she knows until her freedom is purchased by her son, Halle. Baby learns to do as the white people tell her to do, even when it comes to having children, which is why she has eight children with six different fathers. Until she comes to be owned by Mr. Garner every move she makes is determined by her owner, including her being bred to have more slaves for the owner (like an animal). She saw the cruelty of slave owners “upon learning that nobody stopped playing checkers just because the pieces included her children” (Morrison, 28). This harsh reality didn’t defeat Baby, but instead seemed to make her stronger in her will to live. After she is freed she tries to find her children through the local preacher, but has no luck due the limited resources. It was nearly impossible to track someone who may be using any name their owner…show more content… After a woman gave birth to a child she was expected to return to her job, whether it was working in the fields or in the kitchens. The babies were hung in slings in the trees to keep them safe and occupied while the mothers worked and so they were close by for feedings. Baby broke her hip in Carolina and was unable to continue working like her owner wanted so she was sold to Mr. Garner, along with Halle. When Baby worked at Sweet Home she “jerked like a three-legged dog when she walked” (Morrison, 164) because of her hip, but never complained. Baby showed the strength that many people possess to work through pain because they have no other