Florens A Mercy Essay

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In her critically acclaimed novel, A Mercy, Toni Morrison experiments with an opaque period in American history that enables her to intertwine the stories of a diverse group of characters. Set primarily in 1690, the book’s central voice is that of Florens, a passionate but love-starved young woman who was left deeply scared by her mother’s actions early in her life. Throughout the course of the novel, Florens is forced to confront her unresolved feelings of abandonment as her love with the blacksmith blossoms then crumbles because of her own emotional instability. However, Florens’ love for the blacksmith ultimately becomes a powerful tool utilized by Morrison as a catalyst for change within Florens, specifically in regards to her dependency on others.
Florens’ perception of a moment early in her youth had a profound impact on her, rendering her desperate for love and validation from others. In the opening chapter, Florens divulges her sorrowful account of the moment that defined her childhood, recalling her mother pleading to her master, “Take the girl, she says, my daughter, she says. Me. Me” (9). From Florens’ perspective, her mother willingly volunteered Florens to be taken away from her family, in the interest of protecting her baby brother. Feeling abandoned and betrayed by …show more content…

Lina observes, “She was deeply grateful for every shred of affection, any pat on the head, any smile of approval” (72), communicating the validation that she is good enough that Florens looks for from others. Florens’ longing for positive reinforcement is a direct result of the betrayal she is holding on to from her childhood. A common theme among those on the Vaark farm, Florens feels orphaned by the experience with her mother and consequently houses permanent insecurities that lead her to rely on others rather than on

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