The focus of it revolves about the issue of Memory, Rememory, and the Power of the Past - what is the novel saying about these topics at this point? What are the challenges and issues that arise when the past is either raised or specifically avoided? When is it embraced - when is it hidden - why?
The past is a dangerous secret, a weapon almost, that can be used to help or hurt a cause. The past may contain secrets that one is ashamed of sharing. But, at the same time, it can hold memories that make a person who they truly are and make them proud of their personality and personal values.
The challenge of hiding your past is large. The past makes us who we are today, whether we like it or not, so avoiding it is difficult. Things from our past many times just erupt and come out during everyday conversation. When an object or scenario provokes a memory we usually let it out to whoever is around. We see this occur with Sethe at the Clearing. The Clearing was an area that provoked memories for Sethe. It brought back Baby Suggs, her struggles, Halle, Denver. It made Sethe regret and, "Blame herself for Baby Suggs' collapse." Looking back into the past we usually see our mistakes and get so caught up and upset with them that we wish we could go back and fix them, we can't. And we shouldn't. We learn from our mistakes, its human nature. In order to grow we must make mistakes to learn what is wrong and right.
Our past is embraced when it brings feelings of warmth and tenderness. For Sethe her memories of 124 was before it was, "shut down and put up with the venom of ghosts." When the present isn't pleasant, we look to the past to warm us. Many times it won't. We remember the bad rather than the good because we always strive to do better and regret our mistakes. But, the rare occasions when the past is embraced are occasions that are to be held with much importance. These memories push us to move forward and enjoy life, Carpe Diem, seize the day.
At this point Beloved is saying that the issues in the past of all of the characters have drastically made them who they are. The memories of the past are flooding their minds make it hard for them, especially Sethe, to move on. We see Sethe move on when she accepts Paul D into her life saying, "She wanted Paul D." She was able to let go of Halle, her life before, and create a new life that she was proud of. The visit to the Clearing allowed Sethe to move forward and stop letting the past control her.
