Lifeless Eyes By Sethe Analysis

Lifeless Eyes

After being shown a painting, even when it is not in sight, one can still visualize its distinctive features, shapes and colors. When pondering the reason past experiences are never forgotten, Sethe conveys her thoughts aloud, saying, “I used to think it was my rememory. You know. Some things you forget. Other things you never do. But it’s not. Places, places are still there” (Morrison 43). Sethe broaches the idea that her memories are never completely forgotten and that these “places,” representing broader experiences, stick with her; furthermore, her inability to control what she remembers causes her past memories, specifically the unpleasant ones, to haunt her. Sethe tries desperately to rebuild a different childhood and
Upon his first meeting with Sethe in years, Paul D observes that Sethe had “[a] face too still for comfort; irises the same color as her skin, which, in that still face, used to make him think of a mask with mercifully punched out eyes” (Morrison 10). Although Sethe’s “still” face does not convey despair, it does not reveal any happiness either, indicating that Sethe has an indifference that she hides behind when approaching her everyday life. However, Paul D’s separated descriptions of Sethe’s mask-like face and her punched out eyes serve to emphasize how her eyes stood out from her emotionless face, unable to hide behind the mask Sethe has attempted to create; this indicates that Sethe’s eyes were unable to conceal the truth of her emotions and past. Paul D was able to recognize the raw experiences within her eyes and found that “[Sethe’s eyes] were like two wells into which he had trouble gazing. Even punched out they needed to be covered, lidded, marked with some sign to warn folks of what that emptiness held . . . what [schoolteacher] did. . . [he] punched the glittering iron out of Sethe’s eyes, leaving two open wells that did not reflect firelight” (Morrison 10-11). The previous “iron” in Sethe’s eyes helps to illuminate the strength she once possessed in supporting herself and her family, as if with a sturdy iron frame; additionally, the “glittering” property of this iron
Paul D’s avoidance of looking at Sethe’s eyes gives way to the western interpretation of the significance of eyes. Looking into another’s eyes is often perceived as a sign of respect and honesty (Protas, Brown, Smith); therefore, Paul D’s avoidance of Sethe’s eyes can be attributed to his need of avoiding the honesty and candor required when looking unflinchingly into someone else’s eyes. In addition, the Holy Bible states that “no one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness” (English Standard Version, Luke. 11:33-36). This interpretation parallels Paul D’s observations about Sethe’s eyes because it emphasizes the ability for one's eye to convey the state of one's entire body; this supports that Sethe’s lifeless eyes speak accurately for her only partially suppressed emotions, desires and fears. Also, since the “eye is the lamp of your body” and is displayed to society, it is further validated that society as well as Paul D are able to see past Sethe’s facade through her eyes, finding emptiness that they had hoped to avoid