Denver tends to Beloved because she is lonely. In Beloved,
she is reminded of her sister, feeling as if she has "been returned to her in the
flesh." Denver perceives Beloved as being needy, and longs to be the one to provide her
protection.
Denver is affected deeply by Beloved from the
moment of her appearance. When Beloved arrives and Sethe and Paul D are trying to
determine why she has come, Denver is shaking, "look(ing) at this sleepy beauty and
want(ing) more." Denver, who is usually stand-offish and reserved, takes the initiative
in nursing Beloved, who appears to be ill. In watching her daughter act with
uncharacteristic patience and extreme compassion, Sethe reflects that Denver "has been
lonesome...very lonesome." Denver discovers that Beloved likes sweets, and delights in
feeding her. She also "worrie(s) herself sick trying to think of a way to get Beloved to
share her room,
"so that they can have "talks...at night when
Sethe and Paul D (are) asleep; or in the daytime before either (come) home...sweet crazy
conversations full of half sentences, daydreams and misunderstandings more thrilling
than understanding could ever
be."
In Beloved, Denver sees
a sister, someone with whom she can bond, and escape her
loneliness.
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