The people currently living there continue the family tradition of devoting a great deal of their lives to helping the cause of runaway slaves -– and even saving the life of Sethe, a Black mother who once panicked and tried to murder her children.
A Blended “Family”
The Bodwin’s long-time housemaid, Janey, graciously opens the door to visitors, and one can imagine her to be just as much a family member as if her skin were pure white. One can forgive the infantilization of her name, as she has been with the Bodwins since she was 14; one can recognize that she must have been quite child-like and that the nickname was blessed with fondness.
She has matured into a woman, and and has done her share to help the Quaker siblings as they bestow their kindness and assistance on members of her own race who have crossed the Ohio and settled in Cincinnati. Janey is quite content—even happy—with her situation, and regards the home as much hers as the Bodwins.
Gentility Abounds?
Genteel taste shows throughout this house: soft blue carpet, glass cases filled with glistening curios, tables and shelves laden with books, pearl-white lamps, and the figurine of a kneeling nailheads-for-hair hair black boy, features distended in a parody of huge eyes and wide-open coin-holding red mouth, head thrown back at an impossible angle, all underscored on his pedestal with the words “At Yo Service.”
To even suggest that the Bodwins mean any offense by this little knick-knack would be unfair to them. Given the other, more tasteful appointments in their home, one cannot picture them shopping for such a “kitchsy” decoration. It was most likely a gift, given in token for or as a well-intentioned salute to their humanity toward Blacks. In fact, for all one knows, the figurine may even have been presented to them by a grateful runaway, since many Whites do not approve of their abolitionist ways, as is illustrated by their reference to Mr. Bodwin as “the bleached nigger.”
Guilty of Innocence
No, the Bodwins mean no offense, and in actuality, the little figurine is serving a useful purpose by holding coins generously set aside for delivery people – a good many of whom are probably Black -- when they come to the home. Even if its crafter intended to denigrate or poke fun at Blacks, the Bodwins are not acknowledging this; they more than likely see the boy as something meant to be humorous and good-natured. It is a gimcrack testimonial to their love and tolerance toward the other race; a pleasant “At Yo Service” given with sincerity and warmth which they feel is offered in return for their kindness and dedication to the Black cause.
Unfortunately, what the Bodwins are is ignorant. Not insensitive, just unaware – and therefore one should not unduly censure them. They have never witnessed scenes such as “breakfast” being served to some kneeling men (called “boys”) in Alfred, Georgia, or throats openly exposed to blades, or necks crazily distended by the lynch-ropes. They have no doubt heard the stories, and been righteously appalled, but beyond that can make no connection to the images and suggestions that may come back to haunt that Black delivery person when he sees where his “tip” comes from.
Morrison, Toni. Beloved, Penguin Books, NY, 1988. 290 pages.
ISBN: 0-452-26446-4
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