What is Sethe Running Away From?

What is Sethe Running Away From?

"What's she talking 'bout nobody speaks to you?" asked Paul D.
"It's the house.  People don't--"
"It's not! It's not the house. It's us! And it's you!"
"Denver!"
"Leave off, Sethe.  It's hard for a young girl living in a haunted house.  that can't be easy."
"It's easier than some other things."
"Think, Sethe.  I'm a grown man with nothing new left to see or do and I'm telling you it ain't easy.  Maybe you all ought to move.  Who owns this house?"
Over Denver's shoulder Sethe shot Paul D a look of snow.  
"What you care?"
"They won't let you leave?"
"No."
"Sethe."
"No moving.  No leaving.  It's all right the way it is."
"You going to tell me it's all right with this child half out of her mind?"
Something in the house braced, and in the listening quiet that followed Sethe spoke.
"I got a tree on my back and a haint in my house, and nothing in between but the daughter I am holding in my arms.  No more running-- from nothing.  I will never run from another thing on this earth.  I took one journey and I paid for the ticket, but let me tell you something, Paul D Garner: it cost too much! Do you hear me? It cost too much.  Now sit down and eat with us or leave us be." (18)

When analyzing this passage through the psychoanalytic lens, we not only identify Sethe’s mindset in terms of the future but also see how the past has shaped this very mindset.  This passage is taken from a scene in which Sethe’s old friend, Paul D., arrives at Sethe’s house and is introduced to the ghost of the house.  Upon learning about the ghost Paul D. is confused as to why Sethe does not move away from the haunted house and find a new home.  However, Sethe is in complete opposition, referring to her past experiences with moving, “I took one journey and I paid for the ticket, but let me tell you something, Paul D Garner: it cost too much!”.   

In addition to Sethe believing that moving was not worth it, she emphasizes her opinion with a fierce tone that pushes away her opposition, Paul D.  This is continued with her saying, “No moving.  No leaving,” and “No more running- from nothing”.  What this creates is this picture of who Sethe is, a woman who is a walking embodiment of her past.  But in addition, she holds this ferocity to her, this strength that is palpable from the tone of her voice.

Sethe’s strength and desire to not repeat her past in this passage almost seem ironic though.  Sethe is resisting in every way moving, which in essence is finding a better way of life.  Yet, her reasoning is that she firmly believes that this would not be worth the cost.  Her basis for her belief is her escape from Sweet Home was not worth it.  In other words, her past is dictating her present, and her future.  Yet, her past is something she does not like to talk about as evidenced further in the book.  The past is something she does not like to talk about yet it shapes how she acts.  Instead of her “running” from a house, ironically she's running away from her past.