Toni Morrison uses many techniques to help the reader experience her character’s thoughts and feelings, in addition to switching the narrative P.O.V. throughout the novel. Morrison uses descriptive, often poetic language in the novel to describe how Sethe’s memories haunt her.

Listen to this audio, read by Toni Morrison, while reading the accompanying passage from the novel in this highlight activity.

Use the highlighting tool to highlight language that paints an image in your mind: What sights and sounds does Morrison describe in the text? Can you visualize them?