Aesop, a well-known Greek fabulist and storyteller, once stated that “every truth has two sides; it is as well to look at both before we commit ourselves to either.” According to him, it is important to consider both perspectives before making judgments or forming opinions. Toni Morrison echoes this sentiment in her novel, “A Mercy,” by presenting the story from multiple characters’ viewpoints. By doing so, the reader is encouraged to examine all aspects of the narrative before reaching hasty and inaccurate conclusions.
In her novel, “a mercy,” Toni Morrison explores the perspectives of Lina and Sorrow to emphasize the significance of considering all perspectives before forming a judgment. Morrison introduces this idea by contrasting the differences between Lina, an accountable and reliable slave, and Sorrow, a enigmatic slave discovered near a river.
Morrison initiates her manipulation of perspective by establishing Lina as a trustworthy character. Lina possesses intelligence, diligence, and earns the Mistress’s admiration, leaving no room to doubt her ideas. Consequently, despite Sorrow being mentioned multiple times in the story, when Morrison injects Lina with negative opinions about Sorrow, the reader too develops a repugnance towards her.
The text reveals Lina’s strong dislike for Sorrow through her initial description of her. Sorrow is depicted as someone with red hair, black teeth, recurring neck boils, and unsettling silver-gray eyes that make Lina’s hair stand on end. Morrison further intensifies the readers’ negative feelings towards Sorrow by narrating her tumultuous past from Lina’s point of view. Lina characterizes Sorrow as a deceitful, useless, peculiar girl who only remembers being brought to shore by whales. Morrison deepens this mistrust by portraying Sorrow as “bad luck in the flesh” who carries misery with her. She even blames Sorrow for the Mistress’ unfortunate accidents, claiming that the deaths of the Mistress’ sons were a result of Sorrow’s natural curse. Morrison effectively builds a strong animosity and skepticism towards Sorrow in the minds of the readers by presenting multiple negative perspectives through Lina. Little do they know, a surprising turn of events awaits them.
Morrison initially presents a deceptive framework for the reader by offering Lina’s perspective in the novel. However, Morrison later surprises the reader by swiftly disclosing the true perplexing nature of Sorrow through her own viewpoint. By effectively generating a rapid and effortless dislike for Sorrow, Morrison skillfully manipulates these emotions to unsettle the reader. Once Sorrow starts speaking, the reader immediately rekindles their prior sentiments towards her, only to swiftly discover that they had falsely accused her. The tale of Sorrow commences on the ship, where she had spent her entire life.
After being drugged by a doctor, who was supposed to remove her “recurring neck boils” (the same boils that Lina believed were a sign of evil), she woke up to find the boat raided and empty, with everybody Sorrow knew either taken or killed. After spending many nights alone on the ship, Sorrow found comfort in an imaginary friend named Twin, who became her source of safety, entertainment, and guidance. Twin meant everything to Sorrow, so when she managed to escape the ship and ended up on the Sawyers’ land, she followed Twin’s advice and lied about her origins.
Sorrow justifies her negligent actions and aimlessness as motives to seek solace in the company of Twin, who brings her comfort. Morrison persistently emphasizes Sorrow’s misconduct to remind the readers of their misconceptions and evoke in them feelings of understanding and sympathy towards her. By intensifying the readers’ frustration towards Sorrow, Morrison aims to profoundly impact them when the truth is disclosed and they recognize that Sorrow is merely a vulnerable young girl, marked by hardships, longing for security and guidance.
In the text, Morrison effectively communicates the importance of considering all perspectives before forming judgments. By provoking strong emotions in the reader regarding Sorrow, she ultimately reveals the fallacy of their initial assumptions about her character.
From Lina’s point of view, Sorrow is portrayed as a lazy, worthless, and malevolent entity. However, the truth is that Sorrow is actually just a young girl with a vivid imagination. Morrison exposes this reality to the reader in an unsettling manner, provoking feelings of sympathy and understanding to highlight the reader’s misguided judgment. It serves as a reminder not to solely rely on one perspective or narrative because there may be hidden truths waiting to be uncovered.
