The Sweet Home Men Character Analysis

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In the novel, Paul D is a prominent character who is instrumental in developing Morrison’s theme, the disposition of manhood is acquired by having a true sense of identity. Since Paul D relies on Mr. Garner to identify as a man, he does not have the self-worth to endure when Schoolteacher takes over Sweet Home. Paul D, in despair, tells Sethe how he "wasn’t allowed to be and stay" what he was while the chicken Mister was allowed to (Morrison 86). He even goes further and says that even if Mister was cooked, it would not make any difference and Mister would still be Mister.By comparing himself to a creature of smaller intelligence, Paul D paints a picture of how low schoolteacher regarded the Sweet Home Men. schoolteacher treated them worse than animals, leaving a kind of emptiness in Paul D. Because of this mishandling by schoolteacher, Paul D loses the individuality he thought he had with Mr. Garner. Paul D also goes farther and says that even death would not return his identity. Ultimately, this saying by Paul D shows that he thinks that he is so defiled that even God cannot help him. It could also mean that Paul D believes that he has lost himself so much, there is not even a small chance of him going to Heaven. Either way, Paul D holds the belief that he is beyond saving. After schoolteacher captures Paul D , he discusses with his nephew and the slave catcher how much he is worth. schoolteacher laments that “he would have to trade” him for $900 (Morrison 267). Paul D takes Schoolteacher’s statement to heart because he is used to being treated like other livestock by him. Because he has always let others determine his value, he does not have the self-regard to brush off …show more content…

He also learns that he should not stop himself from loving for fear of hurt. Thus, the disposition of manhood is acquired by having a true sense of

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