Set after the American Civil War, Beloved tells the story of Sethe, a former slave haunted by the ghost of her dead child, known only as Beloved.

Morrison uses magical realism to confront the brutal legacy of slavery and its psychological impact. The ghost is a physical manifestation of trauma and repressed memory, forcing Sethe and her community to confront the horrors of the past.

The novel explores themes of motherhood, guilt, and the enduring power of love in the face of unimaginable suffering, blending the supernatural with historical realities.