1996
Sethe, a former slave, lives with her daughter Denver in a ghost-haunted house until Paul D arrives, followed by the mysterious Beloved, whom Denver believes is her reincarnated sister. Beloved's presence reawakens Sethe's traumatic memories of slavery and the infanticide she committed, while Beloved's increasingly possessive behavior drives Paul D away. Denver seeks help from the community, who gather to exorcise Beloved, leading to a confrontation where Sethe attacks a white man, mistaking him for her former enslaver, and Beloved vanishes. Paul D returns to find Sethe broken and grieving, and he stays to care for her, offering a chance at healing and a future free from the haunting past.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Sethe, haunted by her past and a supernatural presence in her home, struggles to protect her family.
Open full beat sheetSethe is listed as Protagonist. A former slave, mother of four, haunted by her past and the ghost of her daughter. In the parsed data, Sethe is connected to 62 scenes, 174 dialogue lines, 196 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
62 scenes / 174 dialogue linesDenver is listed as Supporting. Sethe's youngest daughter, lonely and protective of her mother. In the parsed data, Denver is connected to 47 scenes, 74 dialogue lines, 90 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
47 scenes / 74 dialogue linesBeloved is listed as Antagonist/Supernatural. A mysterious young woman who appears at 124, believed to be the ghost of Sethe's daughter. In the parsed data, Beloved is connected to 37 scenes, 29 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 44.
37 scenes / 29 dialogue linesPaul D. Garner is listed as Supporting. A former slave from Sweet Home, Sethe's love interest. In the parsed data, Paul D. Garner is connected to 32 scenes, 104 dialogue lines, 107 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
32 scenes / 104 dialogue linesStamp Paid is listed as Supporting. A community member and former slave who helps others escape. In the parsed data, Stamp Paid is connected to 13 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 49.
13 scenes / 5 dialogue linesBaby Suggs is listed as Supporting. Sethe's mother-in-law, a former preacher and matriarch. In the parsed data, Baby Suggs is connected to 11 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
11 scenes / 13 dialogue linesAmy Denver is listed as Minor. A white girl who helps Sethe during her escape. In the parsed data, Amy Denver is connected to 6 scenes, 37 dialogue lines, 38 text mentions, first appearing around scene 54.
6 scenes / 37 dialogue linesHoward is listed as Minor. Sethe's son. In the parsed data, Howard is connected to 6 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
6 scenes / 3 dialogue linesBulgar is listed as Minor. Sethe's son. In the parsed data, Bulgar is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesElla is listed as Minor. A member of the local black community. In the parsed data, Ella is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 61.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesHalle is listed as Minor. Sethe's husband, Baby Suggs' son. In the parsed data, Halle is connected to 4 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
4 scenes / 7 dialogue linesSchoolteacher is listed as Antagonist. The cruel overseer at Sweet Home. In the parsed data, Schoolteacher is connected to 3 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
3 scenes / 7 dialogue linesThe house at 124 Bluestone Road is shown in winter; sounds of chaos emanate from within.
Howard and Bulgar attempt to flee the house while encountering supernatural phenomena.
Howard, Bulgar, DenverThe boys escape on a train while Sethe hums; a headstone marked 'Beloved' is shown.
Sethe, Howard, BulgarSethe and Baby Suggs discuss their past and the loss of their children.
Sethe, Baby SuggsSethe and Denver discuss the ghost and the past.
Sethe, DenverPaul D. arrives at 124 Bluestone Road and reunites with Sethe.
Sethe, Paul D. GarnerPaul D. enters the house and feels the presence of the ghost; Sethe recounts her trauma.
Sethe, Paul D. Garner, DenverDenver cleans up the kitchen after the house-shaking event.
DenverPaul D washes himself at the water pump.
Paul D. GarnerDenver finds a jar and plate as Paul enters.
Paul D. Garner, DenverSethe and Paul share an awkward moment while preparing the bed.
Sethe, Paul D. GarnerDenver eats alone on the porch.
DenverSethe and Paul lie in bed after lovemaking.
Sethe, Paul D. GarnerSethe remembers making love to Halle in the cornfield.
Sethe, HalleThe men watch Sethe and Halle from the hill.
Paul D. Garner, SchoolteacherMr. Garner feeds the men corn.
Sethe, Paul D. Garner, HalleSethe leaves Paul alone in the bedroom.
Sethe, Paul D. GarnerPaul D sings while working.
Paul D. GarnerPaul fixes the table while Denver sweeps.
Paul D. Garner, DenverPaul and Sethe discuss their future on the porch.
Sethe, Paul D. GarnerSethe visits Denver in her room.
Sethe, DenverThe trio attends the carnival.
Sethe, Paul D. Garner, DenverThe trio walks home with shadows holding hands.
Sethe, Paul D. Garner, DenverBeloved emerges from the water.
BelovedBeloved walks through the woods.
BelovedThe trio finds Beloved.
Sethe, Paul D. Garner, Denver, BelovedBeloved drinks water and introduces herself.
Sethe, Paul D. Garner, Denver, BelovedDenver helps Beloved to bed.
Denver, BelovedDenver stands vigil.
Denver, BelovedDenver watches Beloved sleep.
Denver, BelovedBeloved murmurs in her sleep.
Denver, BelovedDenver feeds Beloved.
Denver, BelovedDenver gives Beloved a sandwich.
Denver, BelovedDenver explains how to pack mud.
Denver, BelovedDenver explains how to warm chicks.
Denver, BelovedDenver shows Beloved how to make a bed.
Denver, BelovedThe group sits on the porch.
Sethe, Paul D. Garner, Denver, BelovedPaul confronts Sethe about Beloved.
Sethe, Paul D. Garner, DenverSethe finds Beloved in her room.
Sethe, BelovedBeloved helps Sethe make bread.
Sethe, BelovedBeloved waits for Sethe.
Sethe, Denver, BelovedBeloved asks Sethe about diamonds.
Sethe, Denver, BelovedPaul glares at Beloved during dinner.
Sethe, Paul D. Garner, Denver, BelovedSethe, Denver, and Beloved eat dinner while Paul D. grows increasingly annoyed by Beloved's presence and questions.
Sethe, Paul D. Garner, Denver, BelovedMemory of Sethe as a child watching her mother in a line to be hanged.
SetheSethe returns to the present; Paul D. continues to interrogate Beloved.
Sethe, Paul D. Garner, Denver, BelovedMemory of Sethe being raped while Halle watches from the loft.
Sethe, Halle, SchoolteacherSethe and Paul D. discuss Halle's trauma.
Sethe, Paul D. GarnerMemory of Paul D. being led away in chains and seeing Halle covered in butter.
Paul D. Garner, HallePaul D. and Sethe argue about the past.
Sethe, Paul D. GarnerBeloved and Denver dance and talk about Beloved's past.
Denver, BelovedBeloved leaves the room to follow Sethe.
Denver, BelovedSethe visits the clearing where Baby Suggs used to preach.
Sethe, Baby SuggsMemory of Sethe meeting Amy Denver during her escape.
Sethe, Amy DenverAmy cares for Sethe's wounds.
Sethe, Amy DenverSethe gives birth to Denver in a rowboat with Amy's help.
Sethe, Amy DenverSethe meets Stamp Paid while trying to cross the river.
Sethe, Stamp PaidStamp Paid transports Sethe and her children across the river.
Stamp Paid, Sethe, Howard, BulgarStamp Paid helps Sethe up the river bank.
Stamp Paid, Sethe, Howard, BulgarStamp Paid leaves Sethe in a hutch to wait for help.
Stamp Paid, SetheElla arrives to help Sethe.
Sethe, EllaSethe arrives at Baby Suggs' home.
Baby Suggs, SetheBaby Suggs bathes Sethe and discovers her wounds.
Baby Suggs, SetheSethe is reunited with her children.
Baby Suggs, Sethe, Howard, Bulgar, BelovedSethe brings soup to a sick Mrs. Garner and discusses the management of the Sweet Home slaves.
Sethe, Baby SuggsSethe, beaten and raped, struggles to leave the barn.
SetheSethe finds her children asleep and decides to confront Mrs. Garner.
SetheSethe enters Mrs. Garner's room after her assault.
Sethe, Baby SuggsSethe hands her children to a woman to escape.
Sethe, Howard, Bulgar, BelovedSethe wakes up from a nightmare and comforts Paul D.
Sethe, Paul D. GarnerPaul D. discusses his future and freedom with co-workers.
Paul D. Garner, Stamp PaidStamp Paid shows Paul D. a newspaper clipping about Sethe.
Paul D. Garner, Stamp PaidSethe explains her past to Paul D.
Sethe, Paul D. GarnerPaul D. confronts Sethe about her past actions.
Sethe, Paul D. GarnerSethe, Denver, and Beloved go ice skating.
Sethe, Denver, BelovedSethe realizes Beloved's identity.
Sethe, Denver, BelovedSethe and Denver discuss the morning and Beloved's presence while preparing breakfast.
Sethe, Denver, BelovedStamp Paid walks toward 124 while reflecting on a past conversation with Baby Suggs.
Stamp Paid, Baby SuggsStamp Paid attempts to knock on the door of 124 but is unnerved by Beloved and Denver watching him.
Stamp Paid, Denver, BelovedSethe arrives late to work and clashes with Sawyer.
SetheI had milk, see. I was pregnant with Denver but I had milk for my baby girl that I sent ahead with the boys. I hadn't stopped nursing her when I sent her and the boys ahead of me. Anybody could smell me long before they saw me. Nothing I could do about it. All I knew is I had to get my milk to my little girl. Nobody was going to nurse her like me. Nobody was going to get it to her fast enough or take it away when she had enough..nobody knew she couldn't pass her air if you held her up on your shoulder, only if she was lying on your knee..Nobody knew that but me...
Sethe, if I'm here with you, with Denver, you can go anywhere you want. Jump, if you want to, 'cause I'll catch you. Go as far inside as you need - I'll hold your ankles. Make sure you get back out. I'm not saying this because I need a place to stay. I told you, I'm a walking man, but I been heading in this direction for seven years. When I got here and sat out there on the porch, waiting for you, well, I knew it wasn't the place I was heading toward. It was you. We can make a life girl. A life.
Jesus...It's a tree Lu..A chokecherry tree. I had me some whippings but I don't remember nothing like this. Glad I ain't you.. what God have in mind I wonder. ...You thank your Maker I come along. Spiderwebs all I can do for you. What's in here ain't enough. I'll look outside...Maybe I ought to break them blossoms open and let the pus run.. That you ain't dead yet Lu's a miracle. Make you a bet..You make it through the night, you make it all the way...
..I'm telling you, small girl Sethe...Me and your Mama was taken by the men many times..She threw them other babies away..the others from the whites, without names, she threw them away..But you she gave the name of the black man. She had her arms around him, child. The others, she did not put her arms around. Never...Never...
I do. Baby Suggs told me baby ghost would never hurt me. She was my sister. When I was little, after the boys left, I used to think that she and me both were waiting for daddy to come. And once he did, she wouldn't be mad no more.
I tried to kill Brandywine - man Schoolteacher sold me to. Don't know what possessed me...Me and about 45 other prisoners were being walked from Kentucky to Virginia...then on to Georgia. Two places I don't ever want to see again.
A man ain't a Goddamn ax, Sethe. Chopping, hacking, busting every Goddamn minute of the day. Things get to him. Things he can't chop down cause they inside him. The last time I saw him, I knew he was broken for good...
White girl. That's what she called it. I never seen it and never will. But she said that's what it looked like. A chokecherry tree. Leaves, branches. That was 18 years ago. Could have cherries by now for all I know...
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