Paul D's arrival at 124

Paul D, the last of the Sweet Home men, arrives at 124 Bluestone Road in 1873, eighteen years after he last saw Sethe. His appearance is sudden and unexpected: Sethe, returning from a walk, finds him sitting on the porch, barefoot and holding her shoes and stockings. Their reunion is marked by a mixture of joy and sorrow, as they exchange news of the intervening years. Paul D learns that Baby Suggs is dead, that Sethe's two sons, Howard and Buglar, have run away, and that she lives alone with her daughter Denver. He also learns that the house is haunted by the ghost of Sethe's baby daughter, the one she killed to save from slavery. Paul D's arrival is not merely a social visit; it is a return to a past that both he and Sethe have tried to bury, and it sets the stage for the novel's exploration of memory, trauma, and the possibility of healing.

The Reunion on the Porch

Sethe first sees Paul D as she rounds the house, her legs wet from chamomile sap, and she calls out, "Is that you?" He answers, "What's left," a phrase that immediately signals the toll that years of wandering and suffering have taken on him. Their conversation is casual but laden with meaning. Paul D tells her he has been walking for eighteen years, and Sethe, in turn, reveals that she has not seen him since she fled Sweet Home. They exchange memories of the past, including the fate of Halle, Sethe's husband, who disappeared on the day of her escape. Paul D, who knows more than he lets on, is haunted by the memory of Halle sitting by the churn with butter smeared on his face, a sight that broke him. Sethe, for her part, is still uncertain whether Halle is alive or dead, and Paul D's evasiveness only deepens her uncertainty.

The reunion is also marked by a physical intimacy that surprises them both. Paul D, who has been alone for so long, is drawn to Sethe's strength and vulnerability. He notices the changes in her: her face is softer, her hair is uncovered, and she seems more at peace than he remembers. Sethe, in turn, is flattered by his attention and feels a flicker of hope that she might have a future with him. Their conversation is interrupted by Denver, who emerges from the house, shy and suspicious of this stranger who seems to know her mother so well. Denver's presence reminds Sethe of her responsibilities, and she invites Paul D to stay for supper, an invitation that will change all their lives.

The Haunted House and the Red Light

When Paul D steps through the door of 124, he is immediately confronted by the house's supernatural presence. A pool of red and undulating light locks him where he stands, and he feels a wave of grief so thorough that he wants to cry. He asks Sethe, "What kind of evil you got in here?" and she replies, "It's not evil, just sad." This exchange establishes the central tension of the novel: the ghost of Sethe's baby is not a malevolent spirit but a manifestation of unresolved grief and trauma. Paul D, who has survived the horrors of slavery and the prison camp in Alfred, Georgia, is not easily frightened, but the red light unsettles him. He manages to walk through it, but the experience leaves him shaken.

The red light is a symbol of the baby's presence, a constant reminder of Sethe's infanticide. Paul D's arrival, however, marks the beginning of the end for the ghost. He is determined to rid the house of its haunting, and his presence gives Sethe the strength to confront it. Later that evening, when the ghost becomes violent, shaking the house and throwing furniture, Paul D takes action. He grabs a table and bashes it about, screaming at the house, "You want to fight, come on! God damn it! She got enough without you. She got enough!" His outburst is both a physical and symbolic act: he is fighting not just the ghost but the past that haunts Sethe. The house eventually quiets, and Paul D's victory over the ghost is a turning point in the novel. It clears the way for a new beginning, but it also leaves a void that will later be filled by Beloved's arrival.

The Revelation of the Chokecherry Tree

During their first evening together, Sethe tells Paul D about the tree on her back, a mass of scars left by a whipping she received at Sweet Home. She describes it as a chokecherry tree, with trunk, branches, and leaves, and she tells him that the whitegirl who helped her escape called it that. Paul D, who has seen the scars, is horrified and moved. He learns that the whipping was punishment for telling Mrs. Garner about the nephews who stole her milk, and that the scars have been with her for eighteen years. This revelation deepens Paul D's understanding of Sethe's suffering and strengthens his bond with her. He touches the scars, and she feels, for the first time in years, that her pain is acknowledged.

The chokecherry tree is a powerful symbol of Sethe's past and her resilience. It is a physical manifestation of the violence she endured, but it is also a testament to her survival. Paul D's reaction to the tree is complex: he is both repulsed and drawn to it, and his initial revulsion gives way to tenderness. He kisses the scars, and Sethe, who cannot feel his touch because her back skin has been dead for years, is nonetheless moved by his gesture. This moment of intimacy is a turning point in their relationship, as it allows Sethe to trust Paul D and to begin to imagine a future with him.

The Exorcism of the Ghost

Paul D's most significant act on his first day at 124 is his confrontation with the baby ghost. After Sethe tells him about the ghost, he is determined to drive it out. When the ghost becomes violent, shaking the house and causing chaos, Paul D takes a table and smashes it against the walls, screaming at the spirit to leave. His outburst is both physical and symbolic: he is fighting not just the ghost but the past that haunts Sethe. The house eventually quiets, and Paul D's victory over the ghost is a turning point in the novel. It clears the way for a new beginning, but it also leaves a void that will later be filled by Beloved's arrival.

The exorcism is a violent act, but it is also an act of love. Paul D is determined to protect Sethe from the ghost's torment, and his willingness to confront the supernatural demonstrates his commitment to her. The ghost's departure, however, is not permanent. It will return in the form of Beloved, a young woman who appears at 124 shortly after the carnival, and who will prove to be a far more formidable presence than the ghost. Paul D's victory, therefore, is only temporary, and it sets the stage for the novel's central conflict.

The Aftermath and the Promise of a New Life

After the ghost is driven out, Paul D and Sethe begin to build a life together. They share a bed, and Paul D takes on the role of a provider, working at the slaughterhouse and helping Sethe with the household chores. He also forms a tentative bond with Denver, who is initially wary of him but gradually comes to accept his presence. The three of them attend the carnival together, and for the first time in years, Sethe feels a sense of joy and belonging. The shadows of their hands holding on the road to the carnival are a symbol of their newfound unity.

However, Paul D's arrival also brings to the surface the painful memories that Sethe has tried to suppress. He tells her about Halle's breakdown, about the butter on his face, and about his own experiences in Alfred, Georgia. These revelations force Sethe to confront the past she has tried to forget, and they create a rift between them. Paul D, who is haunted by his own demons, is unable to fully accept Sethe's past, particularly her act of infanticide. When he learns the full story from Stamp Paid, he is horrified and leaves, unable to reconcile his love for her with the knowledge of what she did.

Paul D's departure is a devastating blow to Sethe, but it is also a necessary step in her journey toward healing. His absence allows Beloved to take center stage, and it is only after Beloved's disappearance that Paul D returns, ready to accept Sethe for who she is. His final words to her, "You your best thing, Sethe. You are," are a testament to his growth and his willingness to embrace her fully. Paul D's arrival at 124, therefore, is not just a reunion; it is the beginning of a long and painful process of reckoning with the past, a process that will ultimately lead to Sethe's redemption.