Why should you read Toni Morrison’s “Beloved”? - Yen Pham

Dig into Toni Morrison’s novel, "Beloved," which tells the story of a family of formerly enslaved people whose home is haunted by an abusive spirit.
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Two tiny handprints stamped into a cake. A mirror that shatters without warning. A trail of cracker crumbs strewn along the floor. Everyone at 124 Bluestone Road knows their home is haunted- but there’s no mystery about the spirit tormenting them. So begins “Beloved,” Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama. Yen Pham digs into the novel's exploration of the dehumanizing effects of slavery.
Lesson by Yen Pham, directed by Héloïse Dorsan Rachet.
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Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Jose Henrique Leopoldo e Silva, Elnathan Joshua Bangayan, Jayant Sahewal, Mandeep Singh, Abhijit Kiran Valluri, Morgan Williams, Kris Siverhus, Devin Harris, Joy Love Om, Pavel Zalevskiy, Marc Bilodeau, Karen Goepen-Wee, Filip Dabrowski, Barbara Smalley, Megan Douglas, Chris, Tim Leistikow, Renhe Ji, Ka-Hei Law, Leora Allen, Mark Morris, Misaki Sato, EdoKun, Boytsov Ilya, SookKwan Loong, Bev Millar, Lex Azevedo, Noa Shore, Kyle Nguyen, Michael Aquilina, MJ Tan Mingjie, Dawn Jordan, Prasanth Mathialagan, Samuel Doerle, David Rosario, Siamak H, Manav parmar, David Lucsanyi, Anthony Kudolo, Ryohky Araya, Eduardo Briceño, Christophe Dessalles, Heather Slater, Yuh Saito, Fabian Amels, Sandra Tersluisen, Zhexi Shan, Bárbara Nazaré, Josh Engel and Andrea Feliz.

[@QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison

[@allenjohn6828]

u just commented what they said ;-;

[@macrro]

Stronk quote

[@Tannyboydegen]

You comment everywhere

[@TheRabbitHiro]

@@allenjohn6828 they want them endorphines from likes

[@allenjohn6828]

@@TheRabbitHiro lol

[@infinebow7810]

Everything scary about the book is no where related to ghosts.

[@suchetagarai6016]

The ghost here is actually the brutal past of sethe that Beloved actually symbolized

[@infinebow7810]

@@suchetagarai6016 Yes definitely, by ghost, I meant the typical supernatural horror.

[@allymadison8112]

God, ain't that the truth

[@milliebutterfly]

Tell this truth.

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

You know what they say, humanity creates its own ghosts...

[@Marsisredandhot]

My favorite quote from this book: "Love is or it ain't. Thin love ain't love at all".

[@kardon4996]

That's why she is a mind blowing writer !

[@muhammadgbadegesin8043]

Do not love have lovers

[@BlueBloxRoblox]

Same

[@allisonsimpson4061]

Now this love was thick. Too thick

[@Hannah_The_Elon_Jew]

How they live.

[@Atoshi531]

"You are your own best thing." - Toni Morrison, Beloved.

[@WildSeed111]

One of my favorite quotes 💛

[@dafaeriequeene]

That sounds very tumblry

[@anonymous4244]

The response: “Me? Me?” had me tear up

[@Hannah_The_Elon_Jew]

Yes

[@MyAminedz]

My god, give the damn animator a pay rise !!

[@stygianmoon1716]

Three yen for a pay rise

[@MyAminedz]

@@stygianmoon1716 5 yen for a new season ?

[@stygianmoon1716]

@@MyAminedz yeah that’s unlikely 😭

[@WildSeed111]

My favorite Toni Morrison book 🥺 “She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order” - Toni Morrison, Beloved

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Wow

[@djimaaoi3178]

Actually read that one and now I feel proud that Ted says that everyone should read it

[@itsaiisha]

BRUHH ME TOO

[@macrro]

Same

[@cheyechamney]

Same, read it a little over a year ago shortly after Toni Morrison passed away.

[@justabeholder4753]

How was it

[@cheyechamney]

@@justabeholder4753 It was an interesting look at the past and how humans treated each other. It mostly made me sad, but I enjoyed it.

[@infinebow7810]

While doing critical readings for this text, I read that 'Years of not being able to have control over their own children has passed on through generations in the form of anger.' and this has stayed with me.

[@maninthemirror9732]

You have to be strong to read insightful book like these, the truth can be very painful to bear when properly understood.

[@neerajkumar2747]

"Sweet, crazy conversations full of half sentences, daydreams and misunderstandings more thrilling than understanding could ever be."

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

😢

[@QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” ― Toni Morrison, Beloved

[@mingdemers8895]

Should be included in all high school English curriculum. Enough said.

[@eshnagupta9040]

Instead, it's banned in some schools.

[@QUARTERMASTEREMI6]

I had to read this book for English class, so there are some of us.

[@HerMi.T]

Yes stories like these which talk about reality is more important than a meaningless, no result story.

[@serg918]

(From the UK, my literature teacher decided to include this as part of our course. Very challenging and limited support for it online but definitely so worth it.

[@HerMi.T]

@Luís Andrade yeah you are right. I am very vague and uncertain about role of story in my previous comment.

[@omarhanif9101]

Finally, another "Why should you read..." series. It's been a while...

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

I agree.

[@crimsonperkyelf3729]

If you’re ready to be emotionally wrecked...

[@justanothermortal1373]

I hate my school

[@sudipchatterjee]

To me, Beloved is perhaps the most powerful book about nurturing boundless hope while suffering infinite misery. Tony became my instant favorite after I read this!

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Cool

[@kdaze10]

For my dissertation, I wrote about how slavery affected motherhood. This was one of the books I read for my research. I wish I could have done my research like 5 or more years later...I wrote it in 2005, and while there was more available than when I began college in 2000, it still was a lot harder than it was even 5 years later...

[@depgabby]

I’d love to read your essay !! It’s a fascinating subject

[@minanasimi7513]

I’d love to read it too! I’m doing something similar right now and I would love to quote from your dissertation and then add it to the bibliography

[@schiomchio]

Not you all being white womnnnn….

[@sagewellnessva]

Is your dissertation public or published somewhere?

[@titandarknight2698]

@@schiomchio Are they not allowed to write a dissertation on topics that do not affect them? I mean isn't it pretty common for researchers to write articles on topics that intrest them regardless on the impact it has on them? Maybe colleges have changed and i did not know about them. Tell me what dissertation did you write?

[@youtubec8563]

The depiction of Sula and Nel are phenomenal! This art style definitely brings out the charisma in both characters.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed 💯

[@parkchimchimstolemyheart]

Read this for my African-American lit course, made me cry so bad...I had never been exposed to the horrors of slavery and racism. This novel along with Morrison's Sula and The Bluest Eye made me feel lost and numb for quite some time.

[@catrinasmith5311]

Same here! The Bluest Eye was such a tragic story and it really bothered me. But it did its job then, it showed that not all stories have a good ending.

[@carleypetersen4014]

Thank you for staying with it despite how painful it was.

[@TheNivKo]

The artwork here is really beautiful. Well done!

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

I agree 💯

[@macarenacabral4258]

Reading this book, I was torn apart by the most horrifying of stories in it. I had to discuss it during an exam and I had to stop because I was on the verge of tears. This is a masterpiece.

[@lunathemoon64]

Read this in a world literature class. It truly is a masterpiece in it's telling of trauma on an individual level, but also on a national level in terms of the U.S. and the "haunting" legacy of hatred that still lingers even today.

[@paigewhitfield3624]

Man, it's sad she passed away last year. I was wanting her to hold a book conference to ask her questions she seems like a wise person.

[@AxlUshiromiya]

I can’t make words on how much I love this channel I learned so much over the years watching these please keep making videos. ❤️

[@askar_412]

Itachi 👍

[@AxlUshiromiya]

@@askar_412 indeed

[@pisces2569]

That book is more poetry than prose. I loved the part where Sethe, Denver, and Beloved all discover who Beloved really is and speak in this sort of poetry prose kind of way.

[@luispalacio8722]

Whoever did the animations or the drawings on this video, really managed to absorbed the spirit of the novel. Great job!

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

I agree 💯

[@LittleDogTobi]

I recently finished a term paper on Beloved and psychoanalysis. The novel is indisputably brilliant--and so unflinchingly grim. It took me a few days to recover.

[@LittleDogTobi]

@arte yep, referring to psychoanalytic literary criticism, specifically, as the 'lens' through which the text is interpreted. idk if that clears things up.

[@101gamermaniac]

Yes, would highly recommend this book

[@waterstosify]

This book and Toni Morrison absolutely changed my life.

[@sosensualandfree]

Suddenly "Beloved" is at the top of my reading list, what a captivating video. Dr. Christina Greer is such an incredible narrator, I adore every video she reads.

[@nicholea5526]

I hope you got a chance to read Beloved. It's one of those books that leaves such a mark on a person.

[@sosensualandfree]

@@nicholea5526 Not yet! Argh. I'll get to it this summer though.

[@nicholea5526]

@@sosensualandfree Enjoy! :)

[@subhajithalder4982]

Read it during American English Literature paper, amazing.

[@Chetna444]

Same here. Read it last year in my 4th semester.

[@faridamammadova354]

All visuals are described as I imagened in my mind when I read the book

[@Shazistic]

Don't worry about failures, Worry about the chances You miss when you don't even try -Shazistic

[@marquisbullock6744]

A writer whose works I cannot live without. Thank you for this.

[@thecuriousvirtuoso6427]

I love how ted narrates stories. Hatz of to the narrators! Wrote this while reading Beloved, now Ted-Ed really happy I read :3

[@tia5082]

What a beautiful animation! I actually started reading Beloved two days ago and absolutely adore the writing. Currently reading in Hebrew and would love to read it in English one day.

[@lakalaka66]

Exam tomorrow about this book, what a timing Ted, what a timing. It feels somewhat eerie now.

[@m.1167]

One of my favorites, I simply adore Toni Morrison. Beloved is such a captivating read •

[@skycheng17]

“The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order.”

[@kellym.6777]

Toni Morrisson is my grandmother in my head. My favorite writer ever! May she rest in peace 🙏🏾

[@pandagirl432]

This sounds so freaking cool. I've got to check out toni morrison

[@ZoraNH.dusttracks1891]

I steered away from this book for the longest until I saw an interview of Toni Morrison speaking about how she came up with the inspiration for the book. It’s now on my list to read this year. Looking forward to it.

[@darthman649]

Because it's in my syllabus. But what a great book.

[@aparajitasharma4044]

This series of your is so captivating, so good. Thank you for creating such wonderful content for all of us who love art and literature both equally.

[@mbbbits4847]

It's been so long since your last "why should you read" video! Thank you so much. Your high-quality videos in terms of animation and content are a constant source of knowledge and inspiration. Please, keep up your excellent work!

[@anchitaroy9126]

Please keep doing more and more book recommendations! Need them badly

[@MarcoCastilloVideos]

Thank you for increasing this ted ed book recommendation 🙏🏼

[@dinkinishoconnor3432]

So grateful for this. The animation is beautiful, chilling. I hope there’s more.

[@teacupolous]

This lady and channel has helped me with teaching soooooo much. Invaluable content right here.

[@mistadomino]

The animation is wonderful! Fantastic book! The writing is challenging but really engaging!

[@milkcake6108]

The illustrations is impeccable.

[@brendondonoho270]

Just finished this book for the first time. Never felt a story punch you in the gut like that. Just a remarkably powerful piece of art from start to finish.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

So traumatic yet so inspiring

[@Videowatcher8272]

Love this series! Great book recommendation. Do more

[@lovingiseasy-4342]

Thank you for making these! The "why you should read" video for "Waiting For Godot" was super useful for my A levels, and I'm sure this vid will be really helpful for my A2 levels. The animation is incredible as always!

[@g_green338]

That segue at the end from the Toni Morrison quote into the plug for the Octavia Butler video was very well done.

[@GloriaJWimberley]

✨Love this book, and the sublime Toni Morrison✨

[@mayankgupta9902]

"add beloved to cart" yes, please

[@reecegallagher1822]

Honey wake up, Ted Ed just released a new “Why You Should Read” video

[@brianhill7905]

Great presentation and wonderful job of catching the spirit of the book. I first saw the movie (multiple times) and was horrified (in the way the author wanted me to be). It haunted me in a way other things haven't been able too. I eventually read the book and both movie and book are favorites for me. I encourage anyone who is able, to read the book and see the movie. Not just once, but many times over.

[@sudipabhattacharya13]

For a long time I thought that Beloved was a romance, probably because of the title of the book and the fact that it is usually recommended along with the likes of Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, etc. However, a few days ago when I stumbled upon a Sparknotes article on this book and decided to go through the Summary and the Character Analyses and was immediately intrigued by it. I already have a lot of questions regarding Beloved's character, even though I'm yet to read the book. Thanks Ted-Ed for making a video on this! 🙂

[@whynot9579]

the animation on this one is amazing!!

[@hop3106]

Great to see a Vietnamese, Yen Pham, writes such an articulated piece of Ted-ed!

[@jehrnandez21]

I missed these videos so much!

[@JMARIANOV]

When I read Beloved I was very young, so I didn´t fully understand it. But it did leave a very strong emotion and I felt unusually depressed during the next week. I thought about reading it again several times. But that feeling of uneasiness I felt has been keeping me from doing it.

[@mayag224]

Never have I been so awestruck by a novel as I was by Beloved. Perfectly constructed in every conceivable manner.

[@ax5310]

The animation in this video itself is a work of art.

[@Anonymous_moniker]

Toni Morrison, one of my favourite authors.

[@ilovecolliess]

That animation tho- amazing

[@fernandapjb]

once you start reading it you cant stop i loved it

[@arunabhhazarika9466]

Currently reading this for passing my semester !👍

[@bignate6568]

I remember reading this for my senior year. This was a wild ride. I remember writing a few essays on this essay about its themes

[@ultrabumblebee]

4:48 💯💯 some things I write never see the light of day again but, creating perspectives I want to read about is just something else and I love that

[@iamkatykabha]

This was so beautiful

[@khajiitnobanana2504]

The art in this video is amazing

[@Mel-anie27]

My highschool english teacher made us read this book and it remains one of my favorite books of all time

[@trijitacharyya9125]

Beautiful illustrations! ❤️

[@user-os8sq1rv2m]

hello! this was a great video!

[@letsstayupdated]

Wonderful video.. Amazing presentation

[@aw6408]

This was so good!!

[@zi67543]

Ohh I really like this new animation style, Great work

[@Sch0lar4h1re]

First, this video is gorgeous. Second, this novel is primed and ready for an adaptation. There is already a film but it didn't do it justice

[@adamdavis4973]

No pressure or anything bubba. I just think you can capture this and present it in a way that could bring America to a point of acknowledging best we can our history, and our mistakes as a nation of different people's, and start moving towards what everyone in this country deserves to have. Love y'all

[@uzairahmed1113]

I feel proud to have ted

[@PuprleFox]

One of the best books I’ve ever read

[@emil.jansson]

Deeply moving.

[@JeremiahTatola]

I'm in the middle of this book. The best thing I think I've ever read tbh

[@nicolerapatan4382]

stunning animation

[@akwaabab8504]

Excellent video!

[@skycheng17]

read this in high school.. still one of my favourites!

[@yanocavalcante9362]

Would really love to see a "Why should you read" Machado de Assis Edition. He is probably the greatest brazillian writter and his work is still aprecciated to this day in Brazil. See it been shared abroad would be amazing!

[@MasterCivilEngineering]

Who else loves reading Novels!

[@hijiibijii9324]

ur mom

[@HerMi.T]

me

[@blondebimbowannabe]

This video is so beautiful in every way, I'm obsessed with it. Thank you Ted Ed, for making me aware of Toni Morrison's body of work

[@matrixiekitty2127]

This book, though I read it years ago, still stays with me

[@funnyteacherman]

Beloved was one of my absolute favorite books that I had to read in school

[@roguegallery7519]

👌this one interesting. Good job, keep it like this.

[@itsaiisha]

Wrote an essay about Beloved, I love it so much

[@prakashajency4907]

Really Awesome content, keep going! Would like to see "The count of Monte Cristo" or Alexandra Dumas works in general in your future content

[@somethinggaming5587]

Good video 👍

[@booksoverview1236]

thnx for sharing...most loving hannel.

[@wbenglishtuition]

Finally I've read this masterpiece ❤❤❤

[@Rukiachan05]

The voiceover is very soothing 😌