Hypocrisy of Mr. Garner and Mr. Bodwin in Toni Morrisons...

The Hypocrisy of Mr. Garner and Mr. Bodwin in Toni Morrisons Beloved In Toni Morrisons novel Beloved, both Mr. Garner and Mr. Bodwin are presented initially as decent men, with views on the black race that differ from all the rest of the white men in the book. The readers first impression of each of these men is favorable. With further reading and thought however, the reader notices more and more details that tend to change their initial impression. By the end of the book both men seem to have lost their appeal. Even though there is very little said against Mr. Garner, and even less against Mr. Bodwin, it seems that Morrison was trying to cause very mixed opinions about each one of these characters. In the end,†¦show more content†¦He didnt beat his slaves for starters. They were encouraged to correct Garner, even defy him. To invent ways of doing things; to see what was needed and attack it without permission. He allowed them to do numerous things that were unheard for slaves anywhere else. They were allowed to marry. They were allowed to handle guns, and they were even taught to read if they wanted to , though they rarely took advantage of this allowance since nothing important to them could be put down on paper (125). Probably the most highly noted action of Garners in the book is when he allows one of his slaves to buy freedom for his mother who was also one of Garners slaves. Halle, the son, had given up his only day of rest and offered to be rented out every Sunday for years, to other farms, to pay for the freedom of his mother, Baby Suggs. Garner didnt even have to consider the idea. He owned them both so technically any money Halle could of earned to pay for his mothers release would be Garners, and Garner wouldnt owe Halle a thing. But Garner agreed. He allowed Halle to buy his 60 year-old-mothers freedom. Not only did he release her but he drove her by wagon to the Cincinnati, Ohio, paid her resettlement fee, and arranged a house for her through his friends of twenty years, the Bodwins. This act is repeatedly discussed and thought about throughout the book by the different characters. Mr. Garner uses it to defend himself